East Gippsland, Victoria, is home to the breathtaking Buchan Caves, a group of limestone caves that include the Royal Cave and the Fairy Cave, located southwest of Buchan. These caves are part of the Buchan Caves Reserve, which has been transferred back to the Gunaikurnai Nation and is jointly managed. The reserve is highly significant to the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage. The limestone rock at Buchan was laid down during the Devonian period, about 300 to 400 million years ago, when the sea covered the East Gippsland area, teeming with shellfish and coral. Over time, the remains of these marine creatures were deposited in layers and compacted to form limestone.
Visitors to the caves can explore narrow passages that open up into enormous caverns, filled with spectacular calcite formations. The caves are known for their remarkable honeycomb of limestone formations, carved by an underground river. The Buchan Caves Reserve offers not only the opportunity to explore the caves but also a picturesque landscape perfect for picnics and a place to camp under the stars. Visitors can book a guided tour of the caves to learn more about the geological features and Aboriginal cultural significance of this unique attraction.