Vintage black-and-white photograph of a busy street scene outside the Caves Hotel, with multiple parked cars and a group of people gathered, overlaid with the text 'Drink in the History' in bold letters.

1882 - THE EARLY BEGINNINGS

J.C Wyatt River View House 1903, Buchan Victoria. Historical Photograph of the site of the Buchan Caves Hotel or Buchan Pub 
River View House 1903

Originally built and opened by William Kellie in 1882, the Buchan Inn was one of two hotels in the Buchan township. The Inn was later purchased by John Wyatt who converted it into a guest house known as, River View House.

In 1917, Else Cameron bought River View House and re-established it as the Caves Hotel, Buchan.

It has traded as ‘Caves Hotel’ ever since.

Caves Hotel and River View House, Buchan Victoria. Historical Photographs of the site of the Buchan Caves Hotel or Buchan Pub 
Photos courtesy of Rhonda Coates - 
Buchan Historical Society
Caves Hotel - centenary celebrations, Buchan Victoria. Historical Photograph of the site of the Buchan Caves Hotel or Buchan Pub 
Buchan centenary celebrations

2014 - TRAGEDY STRIKES

Buchan Pub burned down in 2014. Image from the Bairnsdale Advertiser of the CFA in front of the burned down pub. 
Photo: Bairnsdale Advertiser

On the evening of Tuesday April 8th 2014, the iconic pub was sadly destroyed by fire.

The community was devastated as the pub was the lifeblood and meeting place of the town.

THE “LET’S BUILD A PUB” CAMPAIGN!

With owners Greg & Marg Brick left in a difficult position to rebuild the Pub immediately, an idea was born thanks to ex-local Lyndell Moore to instigate a community crowdfunding campaign.

After a large community gathering to seek endorsement of the concept, the “Let’s Build a Pub” campaign kicked off.

As a result of the overwhelming generosity of 1,694 people who donated - a grand total of $605,146 was pledged toward getting the rebuild started.

The new pub’s concrete slab was poured on the 2nd of December, 2015, with the doors of the rebuilt and modern Buchan Caves Hotel opening on the 8th of December 2016.

Buchan Pub rebuild after it burned down in 2014. Rebuild began December 2015. 
Photo: Bairnsdale Advertiser