Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EAST GIPPSLAND & THE WILDERNESS
COAST
Beyond Lakes Entrance stretches a wilderness area of spectacular coastal national parks
and old-growth forest. Much of this region has never been cleared for agriculture and con-
tains some of the most remote and pristine national parks in the state, making logging in
these ancient forests a hot issue.
Inland you'll find the glorious Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks, while the
stunning coast is home to Cape Conran, Croajingolong and Mallacoota - all uncrowded,
unspoilt and undeveloped. Even on the highway, the winding forest drive to the state's most
easterly point is magnificent.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Buchan
POP 380
The sleepy town of Buchan, in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, is famous for the
spectacular and intricate limestone cave system at the
Buchan Caves Reserve
, open to visitors
for almost a century. Underground rivers cutting through ancient limestone rock formed the
caves and caverns, and they provided shelter for Aboriginal people as far back as 18,000
years ago.
Parks Victoria
( 13 19 63;
www.parks.vic.gov.au
; tours adult/child/family $20.30/11.90/56.10, two
caves $30.40/17.60/83.70; 10am, 11.15am, 1pm, 2.15pm & 3.30pm, hours vary seasonally)
runs guided cave
tours daily, alternating between Royal and Fairy Caves. They're both impressive: Royal has
more colour, a higher chamber and extinct kangaroo remains; Fairy has more delicate dec-
orations and potential fairy sightings. The rangers also offer hard-hat guided tours to the
less-developed Federal Cave during the high season. The reserve itself is a pretty spot with
shaded picnic areas,
walking tracks
and grazing kangaroos. Invigoration is guaranteed when
taking a dip in the icy
rock pool
.
Sleeping & Eating
Buchan Caves Reserve
CAMPGROUND
$
