The Royal Cave at the Buchan Caves Reserve has reopened.
Parks Victoria will recommence guided tours from today with additional hygiene and safety measures in place.
While the Fairy Cave will stay closed for the time being, Caves House, the campground and the main visitor area of Buchan Caves Reserve will be open for the public’s pleasure.
Parks Victoria staff have been busily preparing for visitors to return in the last couple of weeks by mowing lawns and cleaning up the reserve area.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson told the Advertiser “We understand the significance of the Buchan Caves Reserve to the local community and the safety of visitors is our highest priority”.
The Buchan Caves tours operate in enclosed, underground spaces with limited opportunity for physical distancing with shared safety equipment such as helmets, lamps and handrails.
The Victorian Government is assessing options to open the remaining caves in a way that meets current coronavirus (COVID-19) requirements.
Parks Victoria has also confirmed to the Advertiser that it is hopeful of also reopening the Buchan Pool but it is unlikely to be in time for the summer season.
“We are working on a separate process to reopen the Buchan Pool and ensure compliance with relevant public health requirements,” the spokesperson said, before confirming it was not anticipated to be operational this summer.
The news will come as a disappointment to many locals who were hopeful the pool would provide welcome respite from the heat over the summer following a difficult year for the Buchan community.