Budj Bim - Mt Eccles National Park

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 bypowerful creation forces. Many visitors return to explore and relax in the tranquil surrounds - building fond memories.

Facilities and accommodationA visitor area, fireplaces, tables, picnic shelter, toilets and a self-guided walk are all located in the campingand picnic area precinct.

Camping and picnicsA tranquil setting in manna gum forest close toseveral 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. p ar ks .vic. g ov.a u / s tay

Cycle and four wheel driveA range of tracks are open and available to vehiclesand 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 footSee inside map page for more details. There are avariety of walking tracks in the area, catering for avariety of fitness levels.

Be fire ready and stay safeMany 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.auFor up to date information on fires in Victoria or generalfire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

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For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parks.vic.gov.au

For further informationParks Victoria Information

Centre Call 13 1963

or visit theParks Victoria website

www.parks.vic.gov.auMt Eccles Office

PO Box 30Macarthur, 3286

Tel: 13 1963Hamilton

Visitor Information CentreLonsdale St

Toll free: 1800 807 056Port Fairy

Visitor Information Centre22 Bank Street

Tel: (03) 5568 2682Portland

Maritime Discovery Centre Lee Breakwater Road

Tel: (03) 5523 2671

NelsonVisitor Information Centre

Tel: 13 1963Warrnambool

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 orremoved.

Fire Mt Eccles National Park is in

the South West Total Fire BanDistrict

It is your responsibility to know if it is a day of Total

FireBan

If in doubt call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line:

1800 240 667Fires may only be lit in

fireplaces providedNo 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 areasfor 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 BimNational Heritage Landscapeis 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 andproduced 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 missionat Lake Condah, close to some of the eel traps and within sight of Budj Bim. The Mission was closed in 1919 but theGunditjmara continued to live in the areaand 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 MirringTraditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

Exploring the regionBudj Bim Trails are a great way to discover thecultural 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 1699Cobboboonee Forest Park offers a diverse range ofrecreation activities. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries website at www. depi .vic. g ov.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-MaraAboriginal 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 standof manna gum woodlands. Manna gum

trees are koala’s favourite food.

Location and accessBudj 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 2014Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper