Buchan Caves - Nov 25-26, 2007 - Buchan, Victoria

We decided to head to Buchan for the weekend to view the famous caves. We camped out at the Buchan Reserve on Friday. We enjoyed a BBQ dinner, walked to the local pub for a drink in the moonlight and were luckly enough to see a mob of kangaroos in the gully on the way home, lit up by the moonlight. Beautiful!

Buchan Caves were formed by underground rivers cutting through limestone rock. The formations are created by rain water seeping through cracks and dissolving some of the limestone. As each droplet comes through the roof it deposits calcite which crystallises in a small ring. In time, stalactites are formed on the roof of the cave, and stalagmites build up from droplets which fall to the floor.

The caves were reserved in 1887, though largely by accident - they were on land set aside for stock camping. The government commissioned an exploration soon afterwards and reserved the land to protect the caves.

In 1907, Frank Moon discovered the Fairy Cave which was opened to the public later that year. Royal Cave was discovered in 1910 by Frederick Wilson and after an entrance tunnel was excavated, it was opened to visitors in 1913. The Caves Reserve was set out and planted mostly in the late 1930s.

Royal Cave has beautiful calcite-rimmed pools. It was discovered in 1910 and after an entrance was dug, was opened to the public in 1913.


Our wonderful camp site at Buchan.

One of the many roos we saw in Buchan.

A little wallaby, just relaxing out in the brush.

On our walk to the Caves Hotel. Tried to get the moonlight in there with minimal luck.

The Caves Hotel. Had a beer and a look around.

Funny joke on the wall at the hotel.

The Font Of The Gods view 1

The Font Of The Gods view 2

The Font Of The Gods view 3

Niagara Falls view 1

Niagara Falls view 2

This is suppose to be Ned Kelly being hung.

The Buchan cave system includes many caves but only two are open to the public.

A look into Buchan from the lookout on the way out of town. Gorgeous!

Working And Wishing And Praying - October - November 2007

G'day Canada!

Currently we are both working so that a) we can do more travelling and b) we can apply to extend our visa.

Natalie is working at two hair salons in Moe. Monday and Tuesdays she is at a salon called Collies and then Wednesday to Saturday she is at Colour Purple.

Greg is working in Gormandale/Traralgon sort of as a sub contractor. He is doing some farm work as well as carpentry in town.

The good news is that Greg's brother is coming down in February so we are saving and organizing for then.

We are going to do weekend trips soon so there will be postings probably every week or so.

Hope everyone is enjoying what's left of fall and welcoming winter.

We wish everyone a safe, fun and healthy winter season.

Natalie and Greg

Moe Cup - Moe - October 18, 2007

The Moe Cup is probably the biggest day of the year in Moe. Locals actually get the chance to take the day off. It is basically a day of horse racing, dressing up fancy and drinking.

Chelsea, Kristy, Troy and Natalie.

The girls found a marque which got them free drinks, hence the double fisting.

Kristy double fisting.

Chelsea being given another drink.

Hello Nurse.

That is Kristy and Chelsea's uncle Manny in the middle there!

The sun must be getting to these two.

In fron of the track, Chelsea, Greg and Natalie.

Kristy doing the "airplane" after the last race, "Moe Cup" win.

Kristy and Troy Tatterson.

Two goofy Canadians

Three goofy Aussies and a Canadian.

Troy, Natalie and Greg at the marque that the girls found. Free drinks to all!

The girls on the walk to the pub afterwards.

A fun time had by all. And we came out up $20!