At Cave Hill Creek we create experiences and lifelong memories, be it the fun of school camp, the adventure of walking the Beeripmo Track, or the treasured place you were married! We are well known and highly respected for our innovative, quality, and fun programs, genuinely warm hospitality and stunning natural setting. In 2018 we were awarded Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards.
Cave Hill Creek was established by Ian and Julie Chandler in 1988. Back then Cave Hill Creek was simply a sheep paddock with perhaps 25 mature trees, no lake, buildings or beautiful gardens. A farmer and a teacher, they saw incredible opportunity to create a spectacular lake, group accommodation and function venue on this picturesque parcel of land at the top of the Raglan Valley.
With a passion for hospitality, hard work and a keen eye for the environment, like their young family, Cave Hill Creek steadily grew. Today Cave Hill Creek is run by second-generation owners Tim and Angela Chandler. It is a year-round operation hosting >10,000 guests annually on camps, walks and weddings.
A commitment to tourism and education excellence, and a continual improvement program, rewards guests with new and exciting experiences every time they visit. In 2018 Cave Hill Creek was awarded Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards, and was inducted into the prestigious Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame after winning three consecutive golds at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards.
We are often asked about the origins of the name Cave Hill Creek. It is quite simple really; the creek that flows through our lake is known as the ‘Cave Hill Creek’. The Cave Hill Creek cascades over Raglan Falls and down off the northern slopes of Cave Hill in the surrounding Mount Cole State Forest. It is at Raglan Falls, over the granite cliffs that visitors to Cave Hill Creek can try abseiling. Similar is the logic behind the origins of the name Cave Hill. That is, the southern slopes of Cave Hill feature a large cavern created when the lower half of a large rock face collapsed leaving a large overhang. The local Beeripmo Balug Aborigines refer to the cave as Bukkertillible. It can be seen clearly to the north when driving along the Western Highway M8 between Beaufort and Buangor.
Cave Hill Creek’s logo also finds it origin in the local forest. It features a flowering Grevillea montis-cole (commonly known as Grevillea Mount Cole or The Glut Grevillea). The grevillea is endemic to the eastern slopes from the Glut picnic ground to Cave Hill Creek. It is a small shrub identifiable by its red flower from October to March. Grevillea montis-cole is listed as rare in Victoria.
Your Hosts
Cave Hill Creek was established by Ian and Julie Chandler in 1988 and is now run by second-generation owners, Tim and Ange Chandler. Three generations of our family now work at Cave Hill Creek!
We love sharing our beautiful location with all our visitors.
Tim & Ange – Owners
Tim and Ange Chandler are the husband and wife team running Cave Hill Creek.
We took over a family business built up by Tim’s parents, Ian and Julie, in 2009, relocating from Canberra, changing career, and deciding this was a pretty amazing spot to raise an active crew of 5 kids.
We love what we do…sharing our little piece of paradise, and our big backyard and local region with our guests, and helping them create special lifelong memories, be it on camp, at a wedding, or on an adventure.
Tim is a judge in the Victorian Tourism Awards. He really loves a chat and enjoys meeting our guests, and sharing stories. He can often be found out scouring local trails on his bike! Ange loves to bush walk and explore… and more recently has enjoyed capturing and sharing moments at Cave Hill Creek on Instagram and Facebook.
We love working together and sharing ideas, but also appreciate the different strengths and points of view we bring to the table. One thing we have in common, is we always want to do better!
We have a terrific team that works with, and supports us… we hope you look forward to getting to know them too…
Darren – Outdoor Program Manager
Meet Darren our awesome Outdoor Program Manager! Darren looks after our team of outdoor staff at Cave Hill Creek and is here to welcome and look after your school or group’s activity program.
If you can’t find him at work, you can guarantee he will be surfing. Spending time in the ocean or in the mountains, exploring is his passion. This passion combined with the ability to challenge, learn and facilitate growth in people is why he loves outdoor education. Plus it’s a whole lot of fun!
In his spare time he doesn’t mind gardening or little DIY jobs, or on a rainy day watching a movie and keeping cosy on the couch. Say hi on your next visit!
Simone – Functions Manager
Simone recently relocated from the warmer temperatures of sunny Queensland to manage all things functions and events.
She has had the pleasure of spending a lot of her working life in some of the most beautiful regions of Australia. With a love for tourism, culture, conservation and hospitality, her career has given her the gift of introducing people to unique destinations, helping visitors to walk away with lasting memories and experiences that leave them wanting more. Australia’s diversity and beauty, plus working with people from all walks of life keeps her inspired. Simone is now happy to call Cave Hill Creek her home and to get to know our fabulous region and all its wonders.
She has a wicked sense of humour, loves natural history and evolutionary biology, tourism and Industry trends, good food and wine, books, music, art and bushwalking. ‘I feel at home in more remote regions of Australia and have a passion for conserving the unique and precious flora and fauna and their habitats, as well as a genuine interest in the cultural heritage of indigenous Australia.’
Simone will be the welcoming face that helps you plan your next event, be it your wedding, family reunion, corporate retreat any other special occasion.
Brigitta – Holiday Camp Director
Meet Brigitta, our Holiday Camp Director! She oversees all the ins and outs of our summer camp program. She loves everything camp life has to offer, from its vibrant sense of community and the chance to inspire young minds through adventure. She enjoys trying new experiences, whether it’s abseiling down a rocky cliff or paddling in a canoe on a serene lake. In her spare time, she finds peace in hiking and camping, embracing the beauty of nature.
Keep an eye out for Brigitta on Summer Camp in January!
Brad, Kara & Flick – Catering
This fabulous four make up our busy catering team…
Brad is our Catering Manager and Head Chef. He and wife Naomi were married at Cave Hill Creek 10 years ago and loved it so much he returned to join our team! Brad is passionate about creating memorable experiences and delicious house-made dishes for our guests. Outside of work he enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, camping and cooking together with Naomi and their 3 children.
Kara is a long time member of the Cave Hill Creek family (15+ years!) starting originally as a cleaner/kitchen hand. After discovering her passion for food and qualifying as a chef, Kara now prides herself on making “every mouthful a delight” for everyone from school campers, to couples sharing their big day.
She loves music, and in her spare time enjoys camping with her husband Scott, and whipping up yummy goodies at home. Kara shares the role of Assistant Catering Manager with Flick.
Felicity (Flick) started at Cave Hill Creek as an apprentice, is now a fully qualified cook. She is enthusiastic and energetic and contributes to all facets of our operations, always with a smile – nothing is ever too much trouble! Having lived locally for over 20 years, she and her son enjoy living onsite at Cave Hill Creek, with all that has to offer.
These guys demonstrate real team work, flexibility and dedication to their jobs – we don’t know what we would do without them!
Josh – Facilities Manager
Josh started at Cave Hill Creek in late February and looks after our facilities both at Cave Hill Creek, and our sibling camp, Silverband Lodge. A builder by trade, Josh is happy to give anything a go and with his easy going nature and friendly smile it would be fair to say we are loving having him on the team!