Distance: 6.5 Km | Duration: 6 Hrs | Grade: Grade 5 | Rating: | Style: Return | Map
About the Walk
Overview
Two spectacular but different caves. Rugged views of Victoria Range.
The Walk in Detail
Heading off from the Buandik picnic ground, head into the bush about 20 metres south of the Goat Track intersection.[Blue sign] Pick up and follow the remains of an old overgrown foot pad, which leads you steadily up the ridge line. The old track is pretty hard to find in places, but if you can stick to it, it provides the easiest path up the mountain.
After 1.6km, you will reach a rocky gully (marked with cairns) rising up on your right. A short scramble up this brings you to the first of the two caves – Hollow Mountain. This huge cavity goes right through the mountain peak and is very interesting to explore while you have morning tea. Your next target – the impressive Red Cave – can be seen across the valley to the south.
Scramble back down the gully and continue following around the base of the rocky peak. We now contour (south) around the top end of the valley until we reach the rocky ridgeline. A short walk along the top of the wide-open ridge brings us to the top of Red Cave. Here you can peer down into this huge cavern through a couple of massive open skylights.
Lunch can be had here, taking in some of the most rugged views in the Grampians – south to the mighty Fortress and east to Mt Thackeray. Hollow Mt can also be seen to the north. Keep an eye out for Wedge-tailed Eagles that frequent the area. For those keen, you can back-track a little and find a rocky ramp that leads down to a way into the cave. This involves a short 10ft scramble along an exposed rock ledge. Be very careful if you attempt this! The cathedral-like view inside the cave is awesome.
The return walk is via re-tracing your path back past Hollow Mt and down to the vehicles.
Getting There
From Laharum, drive south, take the Brimpaen Road across to the Henty Hwy. Continue south for 26km. Turn left onto the gravel Billywing Road, and follow this – onto Harrops Track. Turn left at the signpost into Buandik picnic ground (Grid Ref 134765). Distance to start: 56km Driving. Time: 50 mins.Walk Precautions
Watch out for sticks and rocks in scrubby sections. Good sturdy footwear is recommended and possibly gaiters. Gaining access to Red Cave involves negotiating a short exposed ledge – be very careful if attempting this! Rocky sections may be slippery if wet.