Tae Rak Gunditjmara Cultural Tour

DESCRIPTION

A shore excursion desgined esclusively for cruise ship passengers.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape with a Gunditjmara guide, and see evidence of one of the world's oldest aquaculture systems.

Your Gunditjmara cultural guide will take you on an informative walk around Tae Rak (Lake Condah). The lake is made up of 1,700 hectares of significant wetlands and stony rises right next to the historic lava flows of Budj Bim National Park. The Gunditjmara people have sustained life here for tens of thousands of years, and created what is considered to be one of Australia’s earliest and largest aquaculture systems.

The tour starts with a look at teh Kooyang holdling tank, followed by a walk to the front of the lake. Your guide will give you an overview of the Gunditjmara creation story and point out the extensive marine and bird-life of the lake.

Continue along the western edge of lake to the weir, for a look at the ancient landscape and the extensive range of stone aquaculture sites and fish traps. Learn about:

• Culturally significant flora & fauna, and the Tae Rak landscape
• The Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre and the Gunditjmara people
• Introduction to traditional kooyang (eel) harvesting & processing
• Stone country and kooyang traps on the eastern side of the lake & the network of aquaculture systems designed to trap and harvest kooyang for food and trade

Tours include transfers to and from Portland and the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Café.

Tour Fee Includes:

Gunditjmara Aboriginal guide, transport, activities and access fees. Guide ratio - 1 for each 20 participants wherever possible.

Did you know?

Tae Rak is estimted to have been formed about 8,000 years ago as a result of the basalt flow impounding the flow of the Darlot Creek and Condah Swamp outfall.

What our customers say

Definitely worth a visit for anyone interested to learn about indigenous culture and history of this area. Tour guide Brayden was excellent and entertaining. There was also good wildlife and bird spotting. The cafe is great. (Andrea - 6 Aug 2022)