Budj Bim Cultural Landscape was the final UNESCO World Heritage site I visited in 2025 (visited Dec 2025). We based ourselves in Mount Gambier, about a 1.5-hour drive away from the site. The property comprises three components: Budj Bim (northern), Kurtonitj (central), and Tyrendarra (southern). While it is technically possible to visit certain publicly accessible areas in each component in a single day, I chose to slow things down and focus on one area instead—Lake Surprise within the Budj Bim component.

Budj Bim and visitor access

Budj Bim is the largest component, accounting for around 90% of the total area, and is arguably where most visitors go. Meaning “high head” in the Gunditjmara language, Budj Bim refers to the volcanic complex (Mount Eccles was its colonial name), with Lake Surprise forming its crater lake. Tae Rak (Lake Condah) and Lake Surprise are the main visitor-accessible areas within Budj Bim. The Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre in Tae Rak offers cultural tours to Budj Bim and Kurtonitj but is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays—the very days we were staying in Mount Gambier. Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation also offers tours to Tyrendarra, but after contacting their office they confirmed that they were understandably on a holiday break from 22 Dec until 5 Jan.

Activities around Lake Surprise

Walking, picnicking, camping, and cycling are essentially the main activities available to visitors in the area. We arrived at the campground shortly after lunch and set up for a picnic. After finishing our snacks and a bottle …

I did the "lazy" thing and just parked at Lake Surprise, part of Mt Eccles National Park, which is easy as long as you have your own car. It was way back in 2018 so maybe things have changed now - for one it's actually inscribed as a UNESCO property now and the path around the lake is actually clear. Back in the days I met with the caretaker (more of a hippie that was doing this on the side) and he was a bit concerned that logs had fallen onto the path - and he made sure I would drive safely to avoid hitting 'roos - mkay. The path around the lake is usually quite easy and doesn't take too long. You can see plenty of birds this way too. From this area you can hike more inwards for the lava tunnel and "natural" bridge. Overall you are ok with half a day here and that's what I did on a drive-by. Naturally, I missed two other areas (which perhaps weren't cleared marked back in the days) but I wouldn't go back for it. I don't think this is a huge phenomenon to visit. I think what was nicer is that the entire area was empty and one is alone for a bit.

Site visited in March 2018, both designated components. As Frederik described Tyrendarra area I would focus mainly on Budj Bim - Mt Eccles National Park.

To get there you will probably need your own car as there are no public transportation in the area. The best place to start the visit is a parking near Lake Surprise (coordinates - 38°03'30.8"S 141°55'21.5"E). It is also a camping area with a small visitors centre with basic information about the place. Lake Surprise is a crater lake where former volcanic activity is still visible. There are 2 hiking paths around the lake the one just near the lake (allow at least one hour for the loop) and the second that goes on the crater rim (2 hours). The area is quite spectacular although there is not much to see in terms of ancient human activity.

From that point you can also visit lava blisters and natural volcanic caves. One of them is called Natural Bridge and is located some 45 min from the visitors center. there is a direct hiking path and unsealed road. Coordinates of the place: 38°04'12.5"S 141°55'09.0"E.

If you wish to see the Tyrendarra area from Mt Eccles it is necessary to go around (via Bessiebelle to the East or using Ettrick-Condah Road to the West) 

Official visitors guide with a descent map of the area: 

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/315607/Mt_Eccles_NP_parknote.pdf

Fortunately, UNESCO added Budj Bim in the tentative list before I finalized the whole itinerary of my Australia trip, so after checking its location, I conveniently put this unknown place as one of the must stops along the famous Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. Since the site was relative unknown, it was quite hard to find information and I afraid that the visit without any professional guide will not make my trip to be worthwhile, I still decided to go and explore the site by myself.

There are two components of Budj Bim, old Volcano of Mount Eccles together with nearby lake Condah and the old lave flow near town of Tyrendarra. After checking with google map, I decided to visit only the Tyrendarra area as the geography of shallow lake Condah and swampy Tyrendarra both are quite similar, and I have no interest to climb Mount Eccles or old mission ruins. On the road, I put my navigator to Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area, while the road is good just next to the main highway, the place gave a feeling that it was located on the middle of nowhere. I parked my car and saw a sign of warning of flood and snakes! Since I visited on spring, the small creek flooded the whole area of old lava flow. The small pedestal bridge to the nominated area was almost submerged by the strong high water. After I crossed the bridge I found an explanation board of the …