The Buchan Munji (Buchan Caves Reserve) has reopened to visitors ahead of the Easter long weekend following months of recovery works to safely restore the park following major flooding that hit the area on Boxing Day.
The reserve opened yesterday, with tours of the stunning cave system, a tourism drawcard and vital economic contributor for the region, now open for bookings for the Easter period.
Most roads and walking paths will be open with some changed conditions, the visitor centre and shop operating, and the pool available for a cooling swim.
The campground and historic Caves House will also be open for accommodation bookings.
“It’s great to see such an iconic Gippsland tourist back open for visitors, this will go a long way for the local businesses and deliver a boost of visitors for the Easter long weekend,” Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, said.
Nearby, the Snowy River National Park offers a variety of outdoor experiences alongside townships and country hospitality, such as the Buchan Caves Hotel.
The Boxing Day flash flood caused massive destruction throughout the reserve with more than 60 millimetres of rain falling in 30 minutes.
Roads, bridges, buildings and infrastructure were inundated and large amounts of soil, vegetation, rocks and road surface carried away.
During the initial clean-up phase more than 250 tonnes of debris was cleared.
Thanks to a united recovery effort that included Parks Victoria, Gunaikurnai Rangers, East Gippsland Catchemennt Management Authority, East Gippsland Water, Forest Fire Management Victoria and countless private contractors, the reserve is ready to safely welcome visitors once again.
Due to the scale of the flood, the reserve will still have some visible signs of damage for some time and there will be temporarily restricted areas. Visitors should check the Parks Victoria website when planning their trip.
A temporary closure of the reserve will be required after the Easter school holidays to permanently repair the road network, the Easter re-opening is a boost for local residents and businesses.
