Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions that we are frequently asked
Can I visit the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre without a booking?
Yes. You can come out for lunch 10am~2pm, for coffee & cake 9am~4pm, or just for a look around.
We are CLOSED Mondays & Tuesdays.
Note: there is limited parking, especially if you are in a larger vehicle.
Do I need to book a tour in advance?
Yes - we recommend that you book your tour in advance as we have a limited number of tours which can book out quickly.
Do I need to book a tour to see the fish traps and the Aboriginal stone houses?
Yes - whilst there is some interpretive signage around the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, you will not be able to see the fish traps or the Aboriginal stone houses unless you book a cultural tour.
Each of the cultural tours sees fish traps and remnants of Gunditjmara stone houses, so you can book any of our tours and these aspects will be covered.
Where do the cultural tours start and finish from?
How do I get to the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre?
Please take a look at our Getting Here page for directions. Or check Google Maps for the exact location.
Note that there is limited parking available and we do advise making tour and café bookings in advance to avoid disappointment.
There is currently no public transport access to the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre. To charter a mini-bus or coach you can contact:
- Coles Coaches - Warrnambool
- Trotters Coaches - Ballarat
- Warrnambool Bus Lines
- Portland Bus Lines - (03) 5523 5811
What if I'm running late for my tour?
Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of your tour, so we can check you in.
If you are running late, please calling ahead and we can discuss options with you - 03 4504 2426.
We don't refund tour fees if you don't make your scheduled tour on the day, but we are flexible in terms of rescheduling.
As our tours only run on certain days of the week, you may need to be flexible in rescheduling your booking.
Do the tours run in wet / bad weather?
Yes, our tours run in almost all weather conditions if it is safe to do so. The weather at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is highly changeable and seasonal, and this seasonality offers a unique opportunity for visitors to see different aspects of the Landscape.
However, the safety of our visitors and staff is our first priority, and we may reschedule or cancel tours in extreme weather conditions. If this happens, we will try to give participants as much prior warning as possible.
Please note Southwestern Victorian weather can be unpredictable and change quickly so it’s best to be prepared and dress accordingly.
Are the tours suitable for children?
If your child can walk unaided a for half an hour, or if you can carry your infant for this long, they will be OK on our tours.
How much walking is there during the tours?
There is more time spent on your feet, than distance walked. There are outdoor bench seats around the tracks on each of our tours. Please see the next question for specific details for each tour.
Are the tours suitable for people with limited mobility?
Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre
The centre building is fully accessible with ramps and wheelchair friendly washrooms.
2 Hour Tour
The tour is undertaken in two parts. The first hour of the tour is conducted at the Aquaculture Centre building, the eel holding tank, and out on the boardwalk over the lake. This part of the tour is accessible by prams and wheelchairs, and participants with limited mobility. There is bench seating available around the centre and out on the boardwalk.
The second hour of the tour takes you to the Kurtonitj Indigenous Protected Area. Here there is a little walking on even ground with gravel paths, and on raised walkways. You will be on your feet for the duration of the visit, but there is very little distance walked. There is outdoor bench seating along the walkways for participants who need to rest between points of interest.
Half Day Tour
The Half Day Tour visits two sites a short distance from the Aquaculture Centre, utilising our mini-buses. At each site, there is a little walking, but mostly over even ground, or on raised walkways. At one section there is a flight of stairs down to a cave, but if participants don't/can't to go down, they can wait at the top whilst the group spends a few minutes in the cave. There is outdoor seating available at the two sites visited during the Half Day Tour for those who need to rest between points of interest.
Full Day Tour
The Full Day Tour is a combination of the Half Day Tour in the morning, and the 2 Hour Tour in the afternoon, and includes lunch at the Aquaculture Centre Café.
Walkers
The paths and walkways we take on our tours are suitable for roller walkers. Unfortunately the walkways are not suitable for walking frames as the legs may get caught in the metal grating.
Wheelchairs
Unfortunately some of the paths that we take on our tours are not suitable for non-motorised wheelchairs. They are not compacted enough for the wheels to turn easily. These paths are suitable for electric wheelchairs, however there are a couple of locations visited during our tours which are only accessible on foot.
Our Vehicles
Unfortunately we do not have wheelchair accessible vehicles, so currently, attending our tours could be difficult for those in wheelchairs. Please call our reservations team on 03 4504 2193 to discuss your options.
What should I bring/wear?
As our tours include walking in the bush and through wetlands, we recommend comfortable walking shoes at all times.- - Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
- - Long pants (winter) and good socks for walking
- - Hat and sunscreen in summer
- - Drink bottle
- - Umbrella or rain coat
- - Scarf / gloves / jacket / beanie for cooler months
- - Phone / camera
- - Money for gift shop and café (we are cashless so please bring a credit/debit card)
What footwear should I wear?
As our tours include walking in the bush and through wetlands, we recommend comfortable walking shoes at all times.Where is the nearest accommodation?
The nearest town with accommodation is Heywood - 15 minutes from the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre.
- Heywood Motor Inn
- Pinewood Caravan Park - (03) 5527 1370
- Budj Bim Campground (note: we do not manage bookings for the campground)
Nearby Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Hamilton, Dunkeld and Casterton also have a variety of different accommodation options, and are all within an hour's drive of the Aquaculture Centre.