Buchan, Victoria

Buchan

Buchan is a rural town, consisting largely of farming land and native vegetation. It is surrounded by the localities of Black Mountain, Buchan South, Butchers Ridge, Canni Creek, Gelantipy, Gillingall, Glenmore, Murrindal, Suggan Buggan, Timbarra, W-Tree, and Wulgulmerang. Buchan is the main town and is located on the Buchan River, approximately 75 kilometres from Bairnsdale and 350 kilometres from Melbourne.

Major features of Buchan are the Buchan Caves, Buchan Caves Reserve, limestone rich valleys, picturesque hills, numerous waterfalls, gorges and historic bridges. Buchan is the home to the Snowy and Buchan Rivers and where they meet. There are numerous accommodation places in and around Buchan along with some galleries, eateries, the Howitt Bicycle Trail, Buchan Golf Course, tourist drives, self-guided historical walking tours and local town businesses. The surrounding valleys and hills provide many opportunities for fishing, bushwalking, bird watching, trail riding, kayaking, white water rafting, four wheel driving and horse riding.

Whilst Buchan is best known for its famous spectacular underground caves its history as one of the oldest townships in Victoria goes back much further than the discovery of the caves. It also has fossils that depict the mega fauna that existed in the region 20,000 years ago. Some fossils are in view on the new Buchan Hotel stone walls. The township celebrated its 175th anniversary in March 2014.

History

European settlement first entered the area in October 1838 and Buchan station was established in January 1839. Free selection after 1868, and a township was proclaimed in 1873 taking its name from the station. It is thought that the name Buchan was taken from an Aboriginal word Bukkan-mungie to which various meanings have been ascribed, one interpretation of its meaning is place of grass bag and another is a 'place of rocks with holes in them'.

Farming included cattle, sheep and crops. Wheat, oats, barley, maize, hops, arrowroot and beans were grown on the river flats at various times. Dairying operations, initially for local consumption, commenced prior to the turn of the century. This expanded into several cheese factories and a butter factory which operated for many years. Sheep and cattle grazing increased as settlement spread and cattle sales began in Buchan in 1901. The township grew as closer settlement of the farming land meant more demand for services.

A number of mines were opened as early as 1869 including silver, gold and lead. Some of the bigger mines were profitable but most were short-lived. Some commercial quarries operated in the early 1900s and marble from the quarries was used to build the Shrine and State Library in Melbourne and buildings in London and throughout the state. From the 1950s a quarry also produced crushed lime for agriculture, paper manufacture and other uses. Wattle bark stripping was an important industry and small spot mills worked in the surrounding bush. Following World War 2, two large sawmills and several smaller mills operated in Buchan providing employment. The last mill ceased operation this year. There were small groups of Aborigines in the area but their numbers declined following European settlement. At Cloggs Cave near Buchan, evidence has been found of Aboriginal occupation in prehistoric times.

The Buchan Caves were surveyed in 1889, although their existence was well known in the 1880s. Fairy Cave was discovered in 1907 by the local caretaker, Frank Moon, and was opened for public inspection in 1908. Royal Cave was opened in 1912 and by 1917 six caves were open to the public. In the 1920s camping facilities were developed near the caves to accommodate the number of tourists who visited the area on bus tours and who stayed in the local guesthouses, hotels or at the new campsite. The caves were closed during the war but reopened in 1946. Residents in the district have experienced a number of environmental hardships over the last decade, including drought, two floods and three major fires. The fires in particular have impacted heavily on the farming, timber and tourism industries.

Accommodation

Buchan Caves Reserve The Buchan Caves Reserve offers picturesque camp grounds with cabins and wilderness retreats. Picnic and BBQ facilities in beautiful surrounds, playground, walking tracks, wildlife and stream fed swimming pool.

Buchan Motel the Buchan Motel is under new owners and management team, after having being closed for 2 years. The motel offers refurbished rooms set in beautiful gardens with spectacular views, abundant native Australian wildlife and easy access to the Buchan Caves Reserve.

Callemondah B&B Callemondah B&B is a luxury couples only bed and breakfast on the main street built in 1916 and furnished with antiques, providing en suite (one with a double spa) accommodation with comfort and style. Where you can enjoy great hospitality and a beautiful cooked breakfast on our verandah overlooking the town. Personalised service in a quiet relaxed environment, they also have a sauna and gym and can fully cater all meals.

Callemondah Cottage Callemondah Cotage is fully self contained accommodation for the family or group, located in main street, linen supplied and can fully cater if required.

Stonehenge Caravan and Camping Park Stonehenge Caravan and Camping Park has large, shaded, powered sites, well behaved pets welcome, and a FSC, 2BR cottage with linen supplied. Museum houses an amazing collection of curios from all over the world.

Café, restaurants and food services

Buchan Caves Hotel the Buchan Caves Hotel (formerly The Buchan Inn and Riverview House) was opened in 1884. The pub burnt down early in the morning on Wednesday 9 April 2014 devastating the small township. In May 2015 a well-attended community meeting was held and the notion of Crowd Funding was presented. A successful 60 day campaign was launched 15 June 2015 and closed on 15 August 2015 raising $600,000 to aid in the rebuild of the pub. It is currently nearing completion.

Buchan Valley Roadhouse Buchan Valley Roadhouse is a local business ran by a local family supplying hot/ fresh food, coffee and fuel. Open 7 days 7am to 7pm.

Callemondah Café Callemondah Cafê is open for breakfast and lunch (open every day 8AM-4PM, closed on Fridays). Homemade cakes, slices and savouries. Gluten Free and Vegetarian options. Alfresco dining in country setting. BYO Alcohol

Buchan Licensed General Store The Buchan Licensed General Store is a Historic 90-year-old building open 7 days a week and is typical of the old country stores of days gone by where it carries a wide range of everyday items, dry goods, fresh seasonal vegetables and frozen meats, newspapers, ice and bottled gas refills. It is the local Tourist Information Centre and Licensed Post Office with ATM and banking facilities during business hours.[1]

Facilities

Buchan Post Office The Post Office opened around October 1878 and at Buchan South in 1901.The Buchan South Post Office closed in 1980. The Buchan Post Office is now part of the 90-year-old historic licensed General Store and operates as a Licensed Post Office with ATM and banking facilities during business hours. It is open 7 days per week.

Sport

Buchan has a picnic horse racing club, the Buchan & Gelantipy Race Club, which holds its one race meeting a year with the Canni Creek Cup in February. A rodeo is held at Easter, and the Flowers & Craft Show in November.

Golfers play at the Buchan Valley Golf Club. The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Omeo & District Football League. They are known as the Cavemen. They won the premiership in 1983, 1987, 1998, 2004 and 2005.