Budg Bim Tourism Strategy

Based on systematic planning principles, this project required the development of a practical framework to enable the Gunditjmara Aboriginal people to develop sustainable tourism ventures. Owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community, these ventures would benefit the community and showcase the remarkable natural and cultural heritage values of the Lake Condah and Mount Eccles region. Urban Initiatives worked closely with the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (GMTOAC) and Context to establish the vision and principles.

The foundation of the sustainable tourism plan is the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape. Based on a long-term vision for culturally based Indigenous tourism, and built on a foundation of collaboration and planning which extended back over a decade.

The project has been an excellent model for developing Indigenous tourism more generally in rural and regional areas. Designed to build from an existing low base of tourism, it provided a clear action plan and effective strategies for achieving objectives, with clearly defined and manageable stages.

The plan has also assisted the GMTOAC to obtain funding for the various ongoing sub-projects presented in the plan.

In July 2019, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List for its cultural values.