Australia

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

WHS Score 2.2
rate
Votes 13 Average 2.58
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Votes for Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

1.0

  • Tango

1.5

  • Jean Lecaillon

2.0

  • Alexander Parsons
  • BenReeve
  • Frederik Dawson
  • Joel on the Road
  • Zoë Sheng

2.5

  • Shandos Cleaver

3.0

  • Mihai Dascalu

3.5

  • Dimitar Krastev

4.0

  • CeeCeeSR
  • Jeanne OGrady
  • PabloNorte

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape covers an ancient aquaculture system developed by the Gunditjmara Aboriginal people.

They manipulated the water flow through volcanic rock and trapped fish there (especially kooyang). The associated practices are still part of the Gunditjmara living cultural tradition.

Community Perspective: The site doesn’t lie far from the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. Frederik has described the Tyrendarra component (could use more guidance), while Jarek covered Mt. Eccles (pretty scenery, but not much to see in terms of ancient human activity).

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape (ID: 1577)
Country
Australia
Status
Inscribed 2019 Site history
History of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
2019: Inscribed
Inscribed
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • iii
  • v
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
Related Resources
News Article
  • May 14, 2021 abc.net.au — Feral pigs and deer killed in aerial cull to protect Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
  • Jan. 19, 2020 abc.net.au — Budj Bim Cultural Landscape fire reveals new sections of ancient aquatic system
  • Jan. 1, 2020 standard.net.au — Budj Bim continues to burn after lightening strike on Saturday
  • Oct. 23, 2019 abc.net.au — Feral pigs put UNESCO world heritage site Budj Bim at risk of 'tremendous damage'
  • Aug. 18, 2019 theage.com.au — Visitors flock to Budj Bim Indigenous site after World Heritage listing

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Cultural Landscape: Associative
Travel Information
No travel information
Recent Connections
View all (11) .
Connections of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
Trivia
  • Cultural sites closely connected to volcanoes
    The property also includes Budj Bim, a Gunditjmara Ancestral Being and volcano that is the source of the lava flow on which the aquaculture system is constructed. (AB ev)
  • Minority communities
    testimony to the cultural traditions, knowledge, practices and ingenuity of the Gunditjmara (OUV)
  • Customary ownership
    the land is either owned by the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners and designated as Indigenous Protected Areas, or managed as the Budj Bim National Park by the State Government through Parks Victoria in cooperation with the Gunditjmara (AB ev)
World Heritage Process
Religion and Belief
Human Activity
  • Aboriginal Australians
    Criterion (iii): The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape bears an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions, knowledge, practices and ingenuity of the Gunditjmara
  • Aquaculture
    OUV crit iii: "The extensive networks and antiquity of the constructed and modified aquaculture system.."
WHS on Other Lists
  • Melina Mercouri Prize
    2023: "Residing in southwestern Victoria within the Budj Bim heritage areas, the Gunditjmara people were recognised for their exceptional efforts in preserving and managing cultural landscapes."

    See neoskosmos.com

Timeline
WHS Names
  • Named after a Mountain
    - "Budj Bim, also known as Mount Eccles, is a dormant volcano near Macarthur in southwestern Victoria, Australia. .......Budj Bim is the Gunditjmara name, meaning "High Head". The roughly conical peak rises 178 metres (584 ft). The peak is a scoria hill that was thrown up beside a group of three overlapping volcanic craters that now contain Lake Surprise." (Wiki)
News
abc.net.au 05/14/2021
Feral pigs and deer killed in aeri…
abc.net.au 01/19/2020
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape fire r…
standard.net.au 01/01/2020
Budj Bim continues to burn after l…

Community Reviews

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First published: 24/05/25.

Zoë Sheng

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape (Inscribed)

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape by Zoë Sheng

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.

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First published: 05/09/18.

Jarek Pokrzywnicki

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape (Inscribed)

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape by Jarek Pokrzywnicki

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

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First published: 09/02/18.

Frederik Dawson

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape (Inscribed)

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape by Frederik Dawson

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 …

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