Buchan Caves

Fairy Cave

Useful Information

coloured stalactite with bulbous calcite formations at the base.

Location:	360 km from Melbourne, north of Lakes Entrance (Melway 529 D3). From Bairnsdale, drive to Bruthen and take the Buchan Road. (-37.502328, 148.162083)
Open:	SEP to MAY daily 11:15, 14. JUN to OCT daily 12:45. Tickets have to be purchased 24 hours in advance. Closed 25-DEC. [2022]
Fee:	Adults AUD 23.70, Children (5-16) AUD 14, Seniors AUD 19.80, Familiy (2+2) AUD 65.70. Double Tour: Adults AUD 23.70, Children (5-16) AUD 14, Seniors AUD 19.80, Familiy (2+2) AUD 65.70. [2022]
Classification:	Karst Cave Devonian limestone.
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=3,000 m, T=17 °C.
Guided tours:	L=400 m, D=60 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Buchan Caves & Caravan Park, P.O.Box 2, Buchan Vic. 3885, Tel: +61-51-55-9264, +61-51-55-9213, Fax: +61-51-55-9490. Alan Oldroyd, Ranger-in-Charge. Dale Calnin, Caves Manager.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

a detail of the fine coloured formations.

1887	the area was reserved for stock camping.
1907	discovered by Frank Moon.
1907	opened to the public.
1930s	Caves Reserve created.
1941	Eastern Chamber closed to the public due to difficulties with a low roof and frequent flooding.
1988-1990	the Eastern Chamber was brought up to a tour standard by the Friends of Buchan Caves.

Description

Fairy Cave is primarily praised as a dripstone cave with elaborate stalactites and stalagmites. The chambers of the cave are called King’s Chamber, the Queen Victoria Chamber, the Hall, the Jewel Chamber, and the Grotto. The Bridal Chamber contains obviously also the limestone Wedding Cake. The pure translucent sinter of this stalagmite formation resembles icing sugar.

The cave currently [2022] has a closed section in the tunnel leading to the Black Wood chamber due to rock movement. Until stabilisation works are completed an alternative route avoiding the rockfall area is used. This tour takes longer and visitors have more time and see cave parts not normally seen on a standard tour. The tour is a little more physically strenuous with extra steps on exit.