Caving

Explore a fascinating new world, hidden beneath the earth. Pretty crystals and spectacular natural formations shine with a special life of their own in the beam of your torch. Voices echo in the dark caverns, and you’ll feel a tingle of excitement as one of the privileged few to experience these mysterious spaces.

You’ll be surprised at how much there is to explore in Victoria’s cave systems. Discover natural rock formations that have taken thousands of years to develop. Be challenged by the maze of tunnels and grottos. You might even have an encounter with cave crickets or glow worms.

Caving is a demanding adventure, which could include some tight squeezes, rock falls and plenty of slippery mud. You don’t have to be super-fit, but you have to be prepared for a physical adventure. If you aren’t comfortable with enclosed spaces, darkness or mud, then you’ll need to rethink your caving goals.

Who can be involved?

Caving is an activity that can be enjoyed by youth and adults from all Units and any level of experience.

Younger youth members have the opportunity to experience caving during 2-hour mid-week twilight caving trips at Britannia Creek typically run in March and October. Alternatively, participants (of any age) can explore the artificial cave system “CONTAINER CAVE NAME” based at Eumeralla Scout Camp as part of a Unit activity or major events.

The Victorian Scout Caving Team (VSCT) primarily runs activities tailored for youth progressing through OAS Caving Stage 4-5 in either horizontal or vertical cave systems in locations 4+ hours from Melbourne requiring camping on the Friday and Saturday evening.   Units or Activity patrols can request a Group booking for 10 participants + 2 leaders when bookings open early October each year.

Dedicated trips for youth aiming to achieve OAS Caving Stage 5 are scheduled in the later half of each year. Participants who have previously attended a weekend trip with the VSCT are invited (via correspondence with their Unit Leader) to attend a combination of a day trip at Labertouche or Britannia Creek and a follow up weekend trip in Buchan. Attendance as part of an Activity Patrol formed with other keen cavers is encouraged.  

Rovers of all experience levels are invited to join the Annual Rover Caving Moot at Buchan every February. Participants will be divided into small groups to explore caves based on their  level of experience, from introductory horizontal caves to multi-pitch cave systems.  

Skills required for OAS Caving Stage 6+ in caving are primarily developed by assisting during the regular VSCT activity program. Contact the VSCT State Leader for details.

regular VSCT activity program. Contact the VSCT State Leader for details.

The Vic Scout Caving Team offer the following caving activities:

• Twilight Caving at Britannia Creek Cave near Melbourne. This activity is suitable for all age groups (including Joeys and Cubs) and is run mid-week over two hours, during February, March and October. These trips are advertised in E-News.
• Horizontal Caving at Budj Bim lava caves near Hamilton, at Bats Ridge limestone caves near Portland or at Buchan limestone caves near Buchan. This activity is suitable for Scout and Venturer units and covers OAS Stage 4. Booking requests for the following year open on the 1st October. This activity is held over a weekend.
• Vertical Caving at Buchan limestone caves near Buchan. This activity is suitable for Venturer units and covers OAS Stage 4 and 5. Booking requests for the following year open on the 1st October. This activity is held over a weekend.
• OAS Stage 5 Caving at Labertouche Cave near Warragul and at Buchan limestone caves near Buchan. This is an invitation only activity for participants who have completed stage 4 during the past 12 months, and is held over two weekends.
• Rover Caving Moot, an annual caving event held over a weekend in Buchan in February, and is open to Rovers. No previous caving experience is required. (add how this is booked).
• Caving Stage 6 and above, please contact the State Leader Caving.

Badges and awards

Caving weekends are programmed regularly so Scouts can qualify for Vertical Stage 4-9; covering introductory, intermediate and advanced caving. Refer to your Scouts|Terrain account for more details on each stage. Completion of various stages are also a requirement of each Sections Peak Award and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Contact the Caving State Leader if you require a stage progression by a particular date to achieve a peak award.

Guidelines

Caving has many potential dangers, so guidelines have been developed by the State Adventurous Activities Council. It’s all about safety for the participants and preserving the delicate, irreplaceable cave environment.

All caving activities are supervised by an appointed Caving Guide.

Team Caving Trips

Scouts Victoria Caving Team run monthly trips from February to November, generally on the third weekend of each month.  Trip location alternates between Buchan, and Budj Bim, which are about a 4-5 hour drive from Melbourne. The specific location is determined by which Units express their interest in October when bookings open for the following year. These trips involve camping on the Friday and Saturday nights, so participants need to provide their own transport, tents, food and cooking gear.

Units are encouraged to consider the development of Activity Patrols of up to 10 participants from different Groups when planning a trip.

The cost of these weekends covers camping fees and equipment. You’ll usually pay around $60 to $65.

Booking a trip is essential. Booking opportunities are published in the weekly newsletter “Be Informed” in late September. Units will be notified of allocated trip date by the end of November of that year.

Booking a trip is essential. Bookings open October 1 each year for the following year.

Requirements

You will have to supply:

• Your own overalls or old clothes
• Sturdy boots
• A sturdy large torch or good quality head torch and new batteries
• An additional emergency source of light such as a pen torch

Bring a camera with flash so you don’t miss the unique selfie moments, and make sure it has a protective bag.

All Venturers and Scouts MUST be accompanied by their Section Leader.

Training Courses

 Any adult who is interested in developing caving skills and joining the VSCT is welcome to initially join a trip as a guest. Adults attending VSCT trips as a guest must be registered with Scouts Victoria as a Leader or Adult Helper. Contact the VSCT State Leader to express your interest.

 State Leader – Caving state.caving@scoutsvictoria.com.au

Contacts

For inquiries:

State Leader – Caving
Ian Barnard, state.caving@scoutsvictoria.com.au 

Trip bookings for all Sections - bookings.caving@scoutsvictoria.com.au