Budj Bim: Kooyang Yana Full Day Tour with Eel Tasting & Cultural Walks

Summary

Walk ancient Budj Bim eel traps, taste kooyang, hear Gunditjmara stories

You’ll walk through Budj Bim’s ancient lava fields with a Gunditjmara guide, taste freshly smoked kooyang eel at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, step inside volcanic caves near Lake Surprise, and see centuries-old aquaculture channels up close. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter and real connection to this living culture.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell — kind of earthy and smoky, like wet stones after rain. We’d just stepped onto the boardwalk at Tae Rak, and our Gunditjmara guide smiled when I paused to take it in. “That’s kooyang country,” he said. I’d read about the Budj Bim aquaculture network before, but seeing those old stone channels twisting through the grass? It made me weirdly quiet for a second. There were birds everywhere, too — little flashes of color darting over the water.

We stopped by what looked like a low stone wall, but our guide explained it was actually a house site — people lived here for thousands of years, right on these rocks. He pointed out how the lava flows shaped everything: where water pooled, where eels could be trapped. I tried saying “kooyang” properly; Li laughed and shook his head (I definitely butchered it). The air was cool even though the sun was out, and when we walked up to Lake Surprise (which is actually a volcanic crater), there was this weird echo inside the lava cave. I still think about that silence.

Lunch back at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre was simple — smoked eel on damper bread with tea. I’ll be honest: I didn’t expect to like eel but it tasted kind of sweet and rich, nothing fishy at all. Everyone chatted quietly over lunch; you could see wetland reeds moving in the wind outside. Afterward we walked along more raised paths past old eel traps and watched herons fishing in the shallows. The tour moved slow in a good way — lots of time for questions or just standing around listening to stories or birdsong or nothing at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Gunditjmara culture and heritage

• Meet at Tae Rak Aquaculture centre
• Visit historic stone house and lava flow
• Walk Budj Bim crater and lava tunnels
• Lunch at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre cafe
• Guided walk at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre and eel traps

Top questions

How long is the Kooyang Yana Full Day Tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours including travel between sites.

Is lunch included on the Budj Bim day trip?

Yes, lunch is provided at the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre cafe.

Are there physical requirements for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

What will I see during the Budj Bim day trip from Tae Rak?

You’ll visit stone house sites, lava flows with weirs and dams, Lake Surprise volcanic crater, lava caves, and ancient eel traps.

Is transport between locations included?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle transport is included between sites (about 20 minutes each leg).

Are snacks provided during the tour?

Yes, snacks are included along with lunch.

Can I bring my service animal on this tour?

Service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks led by a local Gunditjmara cultural guide through Budj Bim’s historic aquaculture landscape, snacks along the way plus a light lunch of smoked eel at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre cafe, and comfortable air-conditioned vehicle transport between each site — so you can just focus on soaking it all in.