Things To Do
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
About Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 — the first site in Australia to be recognised solely for its Aboriginal cultural values. The Budj Bim landscape, centred on the ancient volcano known as Mt Eccles (Budj Bim, meaning "high head" in the Gunditjmara language), is the heart of the Gunditjmara people's country and has been continuously managed and lived in for over 30,000 years.
The centrepiece of the UNESCO listing is the extraordinary aquaculture system — an intricate network of stone channels, weirs, dams and holding ponds constructed by the Gunditjmara people over 6,600 years ago. This sophisticated system was used to manage the movement and harvesting of short-finned eels (kooyang), the cornerstone of the Gunditjmara diet and economy. It is one of the world's oldest known aquaculture systems, predating agriculture in ancient Egypt.
Visitors can explore the site on guided cultural tours led by Gunditjmara rangers, who share the living knowledge of their Country, the significance of the eel-trapping system, and the broader story of the Gunditjmara people's resistance to colonisation and continuing connection to Budj Bim. The Mt Eccles Lake Surprise — a stunning aqua-coloured volcanic lake — is a highlight of any visit, accessible via a beautiful crater rim walk.
🌏 UNESCO World Heritage Site — Inscribed 2019. One of the world's oldest aquaculture systems.
Visitor Information
Mt Eccles NP: 8:30am–4:30pm dailyCultural tours: by appointment
Adults: $15 (guided tour)Self-guided: Free
65 km — approx. 50 min drive
Mt Eccles Rd, Macarthur VIC 3286
Getting There
From Lake Hamilton Motor Village, head south on the Henty Highway through Coleraine, continuing south toward Macarthur. Turn onto Mt Eccles Road and follow the signs to Mt Eccles National Park. The drive takes approximately 50 minutes on fully sealed roads. Guided cultural tour bookings are recommended in advance through Budj Bim Tours.
What To See & Do
- ✓ Guided cultural tour with Gunditjmara rangers — deeply informative and moving
- ✓ Walk the Mt Eccles crater rim to see the stunning Lake Surprise
- ✓ View the 6,600-year-old eel-trapping channels and stone weirs
- ✓ Learn about the Gunditjmara people's resistance and cultural survival
- ✓ Explore lava caves and lava tubes in the national park
- ✓ Birdwatching in the rich wetland habitat around the lake
Nearby Attractions
Plan Your Stay
Stay at Lake Hamilton Motor Village and explore the UNESCO listed Budj Bim on a day trip.
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