Melville Caves lie atop a spectacular rocky mountain within the Kooyoora State Park in Brenanah, Victoria. Featuring a scenic lookout, walking tracks and caves, Melville Caves are a fantastic place to spend the day exploring.
The caves are formed beneath huge boulders which are staggered across the mountainside, and the views from the top are simply breathtaking. They are named after notorious bushranger
Captain Melville who supposedly used the caves as a hiding place and lookout in the mid 19th century.
The walk to the caves from the top car park takes roughly 20 minutes and takes you alongside gorgeous, gigantic rock formations and a well structured lookout, which offers incredible views and a monument showing the names/directions of many visible landmarks.
Keep an eye out along the way for little signs at the base of shrubs/trees which state their common and scientific names. A lovely elderly couple walking down to the caves together this winter noticed one particular sign and didn't miss the opportunity for a traditional kiss beneath the mistletoe.
Children will love clambering over the rocks and climbing trees, but make sure they are well supervised because there are dangerous cliffs surrounding the area.
The path winds down a short set of steps before opening out into a clearing. Straight ahead you will see a seat located at the edge of a drop off, so if you are taking this walk with small children then be particularly cautious at this spot. From this point forward there are a lot of sudden cliffs and uneven ground.
The path to continue to the caves is well signed and to the left of this clearing. You will find the caves right around the corner.
There are multiple caverns and pathways beneath/through the giant rocks. The main cave has two levels and a small staircase which helps you get through safely.
Back at the carpark there are multiple picnic tables (some of which are across the road from the parking area and easily overlooked) and a couple of particularly beautiful trees. One of the trees alongside the beginning of the walking track is a great one for kids to climb.
Free camping at Melville Caves
The spacious campground features multiple separate campsites with picnic tables, fire pits with wood fire barbecue plates. A large undercover area features a beautiful long wooden table which incorporates huge stone blocks into its design. This undercover area is surrounded by layers of decorative stone blocks. A toilet block offers two non-flush toilets.
Can you take your dog to Melville Caves?
Dogs are allowed at the Melville Caves Campground, but not at the caves, picnic area or walking track.
- Melville Caves Campground: Dogs allowed on lead
- Melville Caves Lookout: Dogs not allowed
- Melville Caves Walking Track: Dogs not allowed
- Melville Caves Picnic Area: Dogs not allowed
The following image of Melville Caves from the 1860's shows the enormous boulders with far less trees than seen today.
Melvill's Cave. Mt. Kooyoora, formerly the haunt of the notorious bushranger Captain Melville, c 1860 - 1869.
Source: State Library of Victoria
An 1855 cartoon of a bushranger robbing a traveller. Courtesy State Library of Victoria, ID MP00/00/56/21.
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Melville Caves Campground
SEE ALSO
BBQ
Brenanah
