Budj Bim - Mt Eccles National Park
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Visitor Guide
"Ngatanwarr wartee pa kakay teen Gunditjmara mirring"; Welcome brothers and sisters to
Gunditjmara Country.
Our spirit is in this Country, its land, trees, rocks, plants and sky... it flows from Budj Bim to
Tyrendarra and beyond to Koonang (the sea). It is a part of us and who we are, and we ask that
you care for it when you visit. - Gunditjmara Elders
Gunditjmara Country - a flowing and connected cultural
landscape of special places; forests, mountains, lakes,
streams, eel traps, rocks and pathways all woven together
to form our Country.
‘The Aboriginal traditional owners welcome you to
Budj Bim (Mt Eccles). We are happy and proud to
share this special place with you and ask that you
take the time to look, listen and feel the Country.’
Mt Eccles National Park is Victoria's first co-managed
national park. The partnership between Gunditjmara
Traditional Owners and Parks Victoria was formalised
with the establishment of the Budj Bim Council. The
Council forms part of the 2007 Native Title
Settlement Agreement between the Gunditjmara
and the Victorian Government bringing them
together to manage the area's significant landscape.
Budj Bim (Mt Eccles) is the source of the Tyrendarra
lava flow which extends over 50km to the southwest.
It is central to the history of the Gunditjmara people.
‘The Creation Ancestors gave us a kinship system
linking people to all things and the cultural
responsibility to look after them all. We have always
understood the biodiversity of Country and our
traditional ancestral knowledge is a vital part of
managing this rich environment’, Gunditjmara Elders.
Enjoying Budj Bim (Mt Eccles)
A truly fascinating place, Budj Bim is one of several
places in this rich cultural landscape formed by
powerful creation forces. Many visitors return to
explore and relax in the tranquil surrounds - building
fond memories.
Facilities and accommodation
A visitor area, fireplaces, tables, picnic shelter, toilets
and a self-guided walk are all located in the camping
and picnic area precinct.
Camping and picnics
A tranquil setting in manna gum forest close to
several walks. Caravan access is available. One site is
suitable for disabilities and includes nearby access to
toilets and washing facilities.
From 1 July 2014, visitors need to pre-book their
campsite. For further information or to book go to
www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay
Cycle and four wheel drive
A range of tracks are open and available to vehicles
and mountain bikes to share. Walkers, riders and
drivers should all be alert and watchful for each
other.
Management Vehicle Only (MVO) tracks are closed
to all vehicles including mountain bikes. They are
open to visitors and can be walked.
Exploring by foot
See inside map page for more details. There are a
variety of walking tracks in the area, catering for a
variety of fitness levels.
Be fire ready and stay safe
Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk areas.
On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be
closed for public safety.
If you are already in the park you should leave the night
before or early in the morning for your own safety.
Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol when
possible, however you may not receive a personal
warning that the park is closed so check the latest
conditions by calling 13 1963 or visit
www.parks.vic.gov.au
For up to date information on fires in Victoria or general
fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information
Line on 1800 240 667.
For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on
13 1963 or visit our website at www.parks.vic.gov.au
For further information
Parks Victoria Information
Centre
Call 13 1963
or visit the
Parks Victoria website
www.parks.vic.gov.au
Mt Eccles Office
PO Box 30
Macarthur, 3286
Tel: 13 1963
Hamilton
Visitor Information Centre
Lonsdale St
Toll free: 1800 807 056
Port Fairy
Visitor Information Centre
22 Bank Street
Tel: (03) 5568 2682
Portland
Maritime Discovery Centre
Lee Breakwater Road
Tel: (03) 5523 2671
Nelson
Visitor Information Centre
Tel: 13 1963
Warrnambool
Visitor Information Centre
Flagstaff Hill, Merri Street
Tel: (03) 5564 7837
Caring for the environment
All native plants and geological
features, archaeological sites,
historic and cultural remains
are protected by law and must
not be disturbed, damaged or
removed.
Fire
Mt Eccles National Park is in
the South West Total Fire Ban
District
It is your responsibility to
know if it is a day of Total Fire
Ban
If in doubt call the Victorian
Bushfire Information Line:
1800 240 667
Fires may only be lit in
fireplaces provided
No fires/flames
may be lit on days of
Total Fire Ban.
Park closures
Be prepared to leave early as
extreme weather may cause
the closure of some park areas
for public safety.
Mobile Phones
You may not be in network
range in some areas of the
park. To be connected to
Police, Ambulance or CFA, key
in 112 then press the YES key
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve
your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million
hectares of parkland available
to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
The Budj Bim
National Heritage Landscape
is one of three landscapes in Victoria to be listed on
Australia’s National Heritage List in July 2004. The
Budj Bim NHL contains two separate areas; Mt Eccles
- Lake Condah Area (see map) and Tyrendarra Area
(southwest of Budj Bim).
Around 30,000 years ago Mt Eccles erupted and
produced a huge river of hot molten lava stretching
50km to the coast. The lava flow is one of largest on
the Victorian Volcanic Plain. This effectively dammed
rivers and streams forming vast wetlands and
swamps. Volcanic activity here ceased around 6,500
years ago.
The Gunditjmara people developed this landscape by
excavating channels to bring water and young eels
from Darlots Creek to low lying areas. They created
ponds and wetlands linked by channels containing
weirs. Woven baskets were placed in the weirs to
harvest mature eels.
Dating back thousands of years, the area shows
evidence of large, settled communities systematically
farming and smoking eels for food and trade. This
area is considered to be one of Australia’s earliest
and largest Indigenous aquaculture ventures. This
complex, sustainable enterprise took place in a
landscape carved by natural forces and full of
meaning to the Gunditjmara people.
These engineered wetlands provided the economic
basis for the development of a settled society with
villages of stone huts, built using stones from the lava
flow. Early European accounts of Gunditjmara
describe how they were ruled by hereditary chiefs.
With European settlement in the area in the 1830s
came conflict. Gunditjmara fought for their land
during the Eumeralla Wars, which lasted more than
20 years. As this conflict drew to an end in the 1860s,
many Aboriginal people were displaced and the
Victorian government began to develop reserves to
house them.
Some Aboriginal people refused to move
from their ancestral land and eventually the
Government agreed to build a mission
at Lake Condah, close to some of the
eel traps and within sight of Budj Bim.
The Mission was closed in 1919 but the
Gunditjmara continued to live in the area
and protect their heritage. The mission
lands were returned to the Gunditjmara
in 1987.
Gunditjmara people manage the
Indigenous heritage values of the Budj
Bim NHL, through the Gunditj Mirring
Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Exploring the region
Budj Bim Trails are a great way to discover the
cultural landscape that is Budj Bim.
Ngootyoong mirring, Ngootyoong mara – healthy
Country, healthy people.
Visit the websites below to explore your options, then
call Budj Bim Tours for assistance in creating a tour to
make the most from your visit to Gunditjmara mirring
(Country).
Budj Bim Trails - visit www.budjbimtrails.com
Budj Bim Tours - visit www.budjbimtours.com
For information on both call: (03) 5527 1699
Cobboboonee Forest Park offers a diverse range of
recreation activities. Further information can be
obtained from the Department of Environment and
Primary Industries website at www.depi.vic.gov.au
Cobboboonee National Park is a new park of
lowland forests, heathlands and wetlands offering a
wide range of activities including walking, touring,
camping and horseriding.
Lower Glenelg National Park and Discovery Bay
Coastal Park offer some of Victoria’s finest natural
settings including the beautiful Glenelg River and
estuary and the vast sweeping ocean beaches of
Discovery Bay.
Mt Richmond National Park is the perfect place to
have a picnic, take a walk or enjoy the magnificent
views. It is home to spectacular spring wildflowers
and abundant wildlife in unspoilt bushland.
Tower Hill Reserve is a volcanic crater complex with
the Worn Gunditj visitor centre, wetland boardwalk,
birdhide and choice of short walks.
Koala Management Program
Protecting the health of manna gum woodlands and
the welfare of koala populations are the primary
objectives of this program. In order to get the best
results possible Parks Victoria and Winda-Mara
Aboriginal Co-operative have engaged extensively to
gain the knowledge and support required. Partners
include DEPI, National Parks and Wildlife of South
Australia, University of Melbourne, RSPCA and
forestry experts.
Koala with young
Budj Bim protects a significant
population of this unique Australian
animal and Victoria’s last great stand
of manna gum woodlands. Manna gum
trees are koala’s favourite food.
Location and access
Budj Bim (Mt Eccles) is 330 km south-west from
Melbourne. Take the Hamilton - Port Fairy Road to
Macarthur, and then travel west along the sealed Mt
Eccles Road.
June 2014
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