Budj Bim

Budj Bim is a dormant volcano in Victoria with a conical peak that rises 178 meters above the surrounding area. The summit contains three overlapping volcanic craters, one of which holds Lake Surprise within its formation.

This volcano erupted approximately 36,900 years ago, creating significant lava flows that reshaped regional drainage patterns. The event left behind the landform visible to visitors today.

The Gunditjmara people shaped this volcanic landscape into a sophisticated system for catching eels over thousands of years. Their channels and stone barriers still show how they managed water and fish with great skill.

Walking trails throughout the site offer views of the crater formations and surrounding landscape with good access to higher viewpoints. Onsite displays and guides provide information about the volcanic geology and cultural history.

Archaeological remains found beneath volcanic ash at nearby Tower Hill show that people lived in this region when the volcano erupted. These discoveries connect the eruption directly to early human communities in the area.