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Budj Bim (Mount Eccles)

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description Budj Bim (Mount Eccles) Overview

Budj Bim, also known as Mount Eccles, is an extinct volcano and tuff cone located in Victoria, Australia. The site holds significant cultural and historical value, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage area for its association with the Gunditjmara Aboriginal people. It features the remains of one of the world's oldest and most extensive aquaculture systems, consisting of channels, weirs, and dams constructed to trap and farm eels. The geological formation itself resulted from volcanic eruptions that occurred thousands of years ago.

help Budj Bim (Mount Eccles) FAQ

Why is Budj Bim important to the Gunditjmara people?

Budj Bim is an ancestral being and a central feature of Gunditjmara Country in southwestern Victoria. Lava flows from the volcano helped form the wetlands and channels used in the Gunditjmara people's sophisticated kooyang, or short-finned eel, aquaculture system.

Is Budj Bim the same place as Mount Eccles?

Yes, Mount Eccles is the colonial name formerly used for the volcanic feature now officially known as Budj Bim. The Indigenous name reflects its continuing cultural significance to the Gunditjmara people.

Why did the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

UNESCO inscribed the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in 2019 because it preserves extensive Gunditjmara aquaculture features, including channels, weirs, and holding ponds. The listing recognizes a cultural landscape shaped through deliberate management rather than simply an extinct volcano.

Can visitors see the volcanic landscape at Budj Bim?

Yes, visitors can explore parts of Budj Bim National Park and join culturally guided experiences associated with the broader landscape. Features include the crater area, lava formations, wetlands, and places connected to Gunditjmara history.

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