Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road: The Inland Route
Next time you’re planning a trip from the southeastern corner of South Australia across the border through South-West Victoria, why not take the alternative inland route? You’ll discover the magic of small towns, marvel at rolling green pastures and discover hidden country gems without the crowds.
Mount Gambier to Casterton (50 Minute Drive)
Mount Gambier in South Australia is a hop, skip and a jump from Victoria and serves as the perfect starting point of a South-West Victorian road trip. Drive 50 minutes across the border and you’ll arrive at Casterton, a vibrant town on the banks of the Glenelg River.
Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area (IPA)
At the township of Tyrendarra you will find some welcome signage with information on Budj Bim and the cultural sites. This is generally where visitors would start their journey onto the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. When in Tyrendarra we recommend you visit 2 Rivers Gallery, which features works by Gunditjmara artists.
Not far north of the township is the Tyrendarra IPA site. A loop walk through the landscape here takes you past eel traps, lava blisters ancient house sites (some dwellings have also been recreated to show people the type of homes our first people lived in).
Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre
The Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & cafe was opened in July 2022 and is where you will start a range of tours with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism, which is run by the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
The Aquaculture Centre and cafe building overlooks Tae Rak (also known as Lake Condah), and toward Budj Bim in the distance. Here you can learn about the relationship to Budj Bim for the Gunditmara people and how they relied on the lava flow to assist with their sustainable farming practices.
A tour here is a must to learn not only about the cultural connection to the land and how the aquaculture systems worked, but also how fascinating Kooyang (eels) are! In the cafe you will be able to taste the Kooyang in a number of ways both traditional (smoked) and non-traditional (try the arancini balls!).
The menu also features native plants and traditional indigenous ingredients, so there’s something delicious to try for everyone — even if you’re not keen to try the eel.
Tae Rak Guided Cultural Walk
Explore Tae Rak (Lake Condah) with a Gunditjmara guide and discover wetlands, ancient aquaculture systems, and traditional kooyang (eel) harvesting.
Surf Coast Walk
View the full Surf Coast Walk
Offering natural beauty and easy access, the Surf Coast Walking track on the Great Ocean Road lets you relax and enjoy a world-class walking destination at your own pace. Explore inspiring landscapes on foot or bike on the edge of Victoria’s beautiful Great Ocean Road.
