Buchan Caves Reserve person walking over river in bush

Couple drinking outside at the Buchan Caves Hotel

Buchan aerial view of town and mist in valley

Woman sitting on rocks beside river at Little River Falls

Family setting up tent at Buchan Caves Reserve East Gippsland

Buchan’s heart beats for the adventurer’s spirit.

As one of Victoria’s oldest towns, Buchan commands respect. This tight-knit community, remote from major towns, has their own way of doing things. Even the pub has a place to tie up your horse. The town is nestled near the meeting point of the Snowy and Buchan Rivers and is best known as the home of the fantasyland that is Buchan Caves.

This rugged land - surrounded by lush hills, ancient caves, gloriously rich farmland, rocky gorges and the serpentine Snowy River - is completely unlike anywhere else. It’s old country, filled with the stories of ancient caves, Gunaikurnai legend and Man-From-Snowy-River-style cattlemen heritage.

You won’t be doing yourself justice unless you stay for a couple of nights to soak up that deep, deep tranquility.

Cowgirl on horse lassooing a calf at the Buchan Rodeo

Whats On

Get your chaps out ready for the Buchan Rodeo, held Easter weekend annually, or enjoy a day of horse racing at the Canni Creek Races, enjoying a proud history for more than 130 years.

FIND EVENTS

Buchan Caves girl walking along platform through caves

Couple walking outside general store post office in Buchan township

The best of Buchan

Buchan Caves Girls underground in Royal Cave at pool

Mother and child overlooking the river at Balley Hooley aka the Junction near Buchan

Aerial photo of the river at The Bluff Reserve near Buchan 1

Basin Creek Falls girl touching waterfall in Snowy River National Park

River fishing at Balley Hooley aka the Junction near Buchan

Couple walking on Buchan Swing Bridge over Buchan river

Mc Killops Bridge 4x4 Snowy River National Park

Woman sitting on picnic table looking at view at One Tree Hill near Buchan

View of Snowy River from the road to Mc Killops Bridge near Buchan

Person stepping over rocks in Buchan Caves Reserve with backpack

Things to do in Buchan

Buchan Hotel girls walking past entrance from outside building

Take a journey back millions of years to the underground wonderland of Buchan Caves, then weave through a clutch of short walks around the leafy Buchan Caves Reserve.
Visit the picnic-perfect The Bluff Reserve, where a rock face towers above a scenic bend in the Buchan River.
Visit the Bakehouse Gallery, to meet local Clare Murphy, and pick up some Bloom Mantra Flowers from the Roadhouse to take home with you.
Saddle up for the Buchan Rodeo, a highlight on the events calendar each Easter weekend. It’s a great family day out with rodeo action, live entertainment and food trucks.
Grab a beer at the iconic Buchan Caves Hotel. Plants have been swapped out for rusty corrugated iron, creating an essential country experience.
Walk over the stately red and white Swing Bridge, crossing the gently flowing Buchan River.
Take the steep, but very beautiful descent to the base of Basin Creek Falls, offering soulful views over the Snowy River far below. There’s a chance for a splash at the shallow pool under the single span waterfall.
Head to resplendent Balley Hooley, known to the locals as The Junction. The meeting place of the Snowy and Buchan Rivers, this tranquil riverside spot offers camping, swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
In autumn, the town lights up in a dazzling performance of leaves changing to hues of gold and amber. Hotspots include the town centre, Buchan Caves Reserve, and the Avenue of Honour in Buchan South.
Pack a picnic and soak up the views over Buchan from One Tree Hill.
Fishing dreams come true at Timbarra River, a short drive north of town to the Timbarra State Forest, complete with riverside camping area.
You can soak up the friendly atmosphere and generous serves at the Buchan Caves Hotel, where the wood fire is a real treat in the cooler months. This pub was famously crowd-funded and rebuilt from the ground up after it burnt down in 2014, which is a testament to the strength of this very special community.

Aerial photo of Buchan Township hills in distance

Buchan Caves

Beneath the unsuspecting forest floor lies an enchanting system of limestone formations known as the Buchan Caves. Join a tour to explore the glassy pools of the ancient Royal Cave and intricate stalactites and stalagmites of Fairy Cave. There are also a range of Buchan Caves Reserve Walks to take in the scenic surrounds.

Buchan rodeo

Every Easter Sunday the town comes to life with its quirky event, the Buchan Rodeo (get buckin’). Think fringed chaps, tartan shirts and cowboy hats, real Man from Snowy River stuff. This popular, family-friendly event is a ringside spectacular: cattle herding, bareback bronco riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing.

Buchan as a base for further afield

Woman at Lookout at Little River Gorge Snowy River National Park near Buchan

Stumble across the beautiful W Tree Falls, about 20km north of Buchan. This two-tiered waterfall cascades over a 20m drop, surrounded by lush, fragrant Australian bush.
Venture into northern sections of the Snowy River National Park. Take the Tulloch Ard Lookout Walk for jaw dropping views across tall mountain grey gum forest or discover the not-so-aptly-named gem, Little River Gorge, one of Victoria’s deepest gorges, looming at 600 metres high.
Set out on a 4x4 adventure through back-road territory, with “toe-in” all-wheel drive experiences, to hardcore knuckle-whitening journeys.
The impressive National Trust-classified McKillops Bridge is the northern point of Snowy River National Park, often a starting point for a 3-4 day raft or kayak trip ending in Buchan. The road in is not for the faint of heart, with a breathtaking descent above Little River Gorge, accessible by 4x4 only.
Take a journey back to life in the 1860s at Suggan Buggan. Completely surrounded by Alpine National Park and simply stunning scenery, the picnic and camp area is the site of a historic schoolhouse. Located on the NSW border, you can continue along a back-road journey to Jindabyne.