Top caves to visit this Christmas break in Victoria, and where to find them
An adventure awaits as some of Victoria’s most iconic caves have been revealed. Find the closest one near you.
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The top cave hot spots of Victoria have been revealed, where people from all over the state can take an adventure and visit some of the most iconic attractions this summer break.
Take a look where you can go caving this season with your family and friends.
Buchan Caves
A significant part of Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners’ cultural heritage is the Buchan Caves Reserve on Krauatungalung Country.
The Buchan Caves Reserve is one of the joint-management parks located in Gippsland.
It is recognized in the joint management agreement that the Gunaikurnai people hold Aboriginal title and maintain a strong connection to Country.
Buchan Caves Reserve features walking trails and wildlife that make the attraction a great spot for picnics.
Hollow Mountain
Suitable for fit and energetic walkers, Hollow Mountain (also known as Wudjub-guyan) has obstacles such as slippery surfaces, rock hopping, and rock scrambling.
Located at the Grampians National Park, the hike begins with steep climbs over rocky ledges and past wind scoured caverns to a rocky summit that provides views of the Wimmera Plains and Mount Stapylton Amphitheatre.
Below is a professional photo taken by photographer Jarrod Andrews.
There are excellent conditions for hiking on Hollow Mountain throughout the year.
The summit also provides a good view of both sunsets and sunrises.
Byaduk Caves
The Byaduk Caves are the most extensive set of lava caves in Australia, and they are a mysterious attraction located in Mount Napier State Park.
The caves form a complex network of underground tubes formed when lava from the nearby volcano Mount Napier solidified on the surface and the molten lava flowed further down.
Discovered in Australia’s youngest volcanic region at only about 30,000 years old, the caves are largely untouched and in pristine condition.
The largest cave reaches 18m wide, 10m high and 20m below the surface.
A quick walk from the carpark will venture you along walking trails interconnecting with the caves, with viewing areas from the surface.
Karr’s Reef Gold Mine
A fully guided tour in Stanley can take you to the centre of gold history in Yackandandah.
The tour ends at the heritage-listed protected site of the gold mine, which was operated from 1867 to 1884.
Through this world-listed mine, represents pick marks that have remained on the dirt walls and the core holes from the black powder blasting.
The tour also has a full depth discussion on the history of the men who operated the mine, conducted in the middle of the mountain where the quartz reef is still visible.
Tarragal Caves
Located down in Portland, southwest Victoria, holds the beautiful and secluded Cape Bridgewater, which used to be a volcanic island.
The Tarragal Limestone Caves that are situated opposite the entrance to Bridgewater Lakes, provides a steep 50m climb to the caves and provides a scenic view across Discovery Bay.
Early in the historical era, the Tarragal caves were recognised as significant Aboriginal camping grounds, and Harry Lourandos excavated them in the late 1970s.
Thunder Cave
A famous, key spot for visitors to experience is the Thunder Cave, located at the Port Campbell National Park on the Shipwreck Coast where the Great Ocean Rd ends.
The 12 Apostles, located just 5km to the east of Thunder Cave, are the principal attraction in the area.
After visiting the Apostles, visitors proceed to the Loch Ard Valley parking lot, where they can take short treks to Thunder Cave, Broken Head, The Razorback for a different perspective, Mutton Bird Island, and Sherbrook River in addition to discovering the amazing gorge itself.
Thunder Cave formed as a result of millions of years of erosion in the Southern Ocean and about 20 million years ago, the entire area was deep sea.
Britannia Creek Cave
Britannia Creek Cave, located within the Great Forest National Park, is a unique caving site that all explorers are destined to experience in their lifetime.
Visitors can gain access into the main cave which is a simple route to follow that involves several tight squeezes, so it’s recommended that anyone who explores these caves pack a head torch in advance.
The journey will take the explorers around rocky ledges, through narrow rock formations, and down slick cave walls as they discover different routes.
Visitors will get the opportunity to spot glow worms as they navigate the cave and learn about the history of the local area and how the cave was formed.
Forrest Caves
A sea cave formed by erosion of cliffs over many years, Forrest Caves, located on Phillip Island, can only be explored and accessed at low tide.
There are a number of large sand dunes along the trail that are home to thousands of short-tailed shearwaters from October through April.
There are two rather large caverns right on the beach that were formed by erosion caused by the heavy waves of Bass Strait.
A journey to the Forrest Caves is a great opportunity to explore the caves and take some compelling photos of the attraction.
Cloggs Cave
A limestone cave and rockshelter located on a cliff along the Snowy River gorge in Buchan, Gippsland, Cloggs Cave contains significant Aboriginal archaeological deposits.
Visitors can discover the historical background the cave has, where the first Pleistocene occupation sites with intact bones were found at Cloggs Cave.
The age of bones from megafauna such as giant kangaroo remains and extinct marsupials was estimated between 27,500 and 24,500 years old.
*** The Princess Margaret Rose Caves are currently closed due to upgrade works and will not be open to discover this Christmas period, according to Parks Victoria.
***The Kooyoora State Park is also closed due to extensive flooding and sinkhole risk and the Melville Caves are not accessible to the public until further notice.
For more information on park closures, head to Park Victoria’s Flood and Storm Affected webpage.
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