Lake Surprise Walk (Budj Bim National Park)

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Lake Surprise Walk (Budj Bim National Park)

Head out on the Lake Surprise walk and descend into the crater of this dormant volcano. Follow the lake's edge through Manna Gum and Blackwood bushland before looping back to Budj Bim Campground. The peak of Budj Bim, which has great cultural significance to the Gunditjmara people, overlooks the trail.

How to get there

Lake Surprise Walk (Budj Bim National Park)

Need to know

Lake Surprise Walk (Budj Bim National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No bicycles
No drones without a permit
No firearms allowed
No generators
No fires permitted
No horses
No dogs allowed
No camping
No motorised vehicles, including electric bikes or scooters allowed on management vehicle only paths, tracks or roads

Warnings

Terrain hazards
Slippery rocks
Water hazards
Deep water
Other warnings
Limbs may fall take care

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Budj Bim National Park - Partial Closure

On the 10th March 2025 a bushfire started in Budj Bim National Park from a lightening strike. The fire burned 2,200 hectares (40% of the park). Due to the intensity of the fire a significant amount of wildlife were impacted. Wildlife experts from DEECA, in cooperation with Parks Victoria and other wildlife experts, continue to find and assess animals, in some cases they are having to humanely euthanise wildlife that are fire impacted, in extremely poor health and can't be rehabilitated.

As a result of these activities, and the safety risks of fire impacted hazardous trees, some areas of the park are closed to the public until it is safe to re-open. Closure points are signed and track barriers installed. The closed park areas are enforceable via the National Parks Regulations 2024 under Sections 32AA, 37 and 48 of the National Parks Act 1975.

Areas open to the public include:

- Lake Surprise visitor precinct

- Picnic Area, campground and toilets

- Lake Surprise. Crater Rim and lava Canal Walking Tracks

Visitors to the area are requested to obey all signage and closure barriers, to ensure the safety of operations and park visitors. Refer to map for open and closed park areas.

Attachments: Budj Bim NP Park Status Map 19_04_2025 (730KB)