Cultural Heritage Lake Tyers State Park

Explore

Cultural Heritage

Lake Tyers State Park

Lake Tyers State Park is one of the jointly managed parks within Gippsland. The Joint Management agreement recognises the fact that the Gunaikurnai people hold Aboriginal Title and maintain a strong connection to Country. As custodians of the land, they are the rightful people who speak for their Country. These parks and reserves are cultural landscapes that continue to be part of Gunaikurnai living culture. For more information on Joint Management, please visit the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

GLaWAC Logo

Bung Yarnda (Lake Tyers) was an important meeting place for Gunaikurnai groups throughout the area. It was a neutral place that was rich in food and materials. It is the place our mob lived when we were forcibly removed from our homelands by European settlers. The catchment area surrounding the Lake Tyers mission is also very significant to us. Our ancestors often passed through this bushland to get to and from Bung Yarnda, as we continue to do today.

The catchment area is where a lot of our mob lived, camped and fished. It is an abundant place, providing us with food all year round. And it is a beautiful place – you can see why the old fellas went there. As home to our ancestors, there are many recorded sites – scar trees, artefact scatters, birthing places and burial sites. Burnt Bridge Reserve is a popular gathering place and ochre site. The cultural sites continue all the way along the coast to Corringle further east.

Lake Tyers Mission

By the 1850s, the Aboriginal population had significantly declined. Missions were established where the remaining Aboriginal people would be located and be Christianised. After rejecting Mitchell River because of its cold winter, Lake Tyers was chosen for its reliable supply of food and water. The mission was both good and bad for Gunaikurnai people.

For some, Lake Tyers was home – a place where people were born and grew up. Where family were buried and where connection to Country could be maintained without persecution. Others felt hemmed in by the rules and rigid protocols of the governing agencies, the severity of which varied depending on the government of the day.

Lake Tyers was one of the last remaining missions, where Aboriginal people were sent from across Victoria when other missions were closed. In 1970, Lake Tyers was the first transfer of crown land back to Aboriginal people.

 

Sources/from: Gunaikurnai Whole‐of­‐Country Plan (GLaWAC 2015); The Gunaikurnai and Victorian Government Joint Management Plan - Lake Tyers State Park - Krauatungalung Country.

 

Preserving the past is important to better manage our cultural landscapes. Patrick Mullett is a proud Gunaikurnai man working on Country to manage Aboriginal cultural heritage. He assesses sites and provides advice under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 on how to best protect cultural heritage.

 

Things To Do

 
Fishing and boating at the Glasshouse camping area in Lake Tyers State Park

Camping at Lake Tyers

Listen to the rolling surf on Ninety-mile Beach, or enjoy serene views of the lake - Lake Tyers has a range of camping options for visitors to enjoy.
The walking track down to Lake Tyers Beach.

Walking at Lake Tyers State Park

Explore the forest setting around Lake Tyers on one of several walking tracks in the park.
Fishing at the Glasshouse camping area in Lake Tyers State Park

Water activities at Lake Tyers

The still waters, shady banks and sandy beaches around Lake Tyers and along Ninety-Mile Beach provide great opportunities for fun in the water.

How to get there

Cultural Heritage

Need to know

Cultural Heritage

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.

  • Lake Tyers State Park

    Track closures due to severe weather damage.

    Track closures due to severe weather damage. Crews will assess and reopen when safe.

    • Gibbs Track 
    • Moras Break Road
    • Reedy Arm No. 2 Track
    • Cameron’s Arm No.2 Track

    Ironbark Campground and Trident Arm Campground 4WD access only

    Morgans Landing Track to Ironbark Campground - open to 4WD vehicles only

    Trident Arm Track - 4WD access only to Trident Arm Campground and boat launch

    Lonely Bay Walk - tree fern loop section closed

    Lonely Bay Walk - open but tree fern loop section at the end is closed

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Ground control operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks and Reserves from December 2022 to December 2023. These areas will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)
    Buchan Caves Reserve
    Burrowa-Pine Mountain
    Cape Conran Coastal Park
    Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
    Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve
    Errinundra National Park
    Lake Tyers State Park
    Lakes National Park
    Baw Baw National Park
    Mount Buffalo National Park
    Mount Mittamatite Regional Park
    Mount Mitta Mitta Flora Reserve
    Mount Lawson State Park
    Mount Granya State Park
    Mountain Creek Education Area
    Pheasant Creek Flora Reserve
    Wabba Wilderness Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park

    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

Similar Experiences

 
The View to PaynesVille from Raymond Island Walking Track

Cultural Heritage

Gippsland Lakes Reserve, situated on Raymond Island on Tatungalung Country, is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage.
A waterfall in the Tarra Bulga National Park

Cultural Heritage Tarra-Bulga National Park

Tarra-Bulga sits in a significant part of the Gunaikurnai cultural landscape - on their creation storyline, where Borun travelled carrying his canoe from the mountains to the sea. There is still much work to be done to fully understand the cultural values within the park, but the significant remnants of old growth forest are characteristic of a period when only Gunaikurnai were present on the land.
A young couple walk through a cave in Budj Bim National Park

Budj Bim National Park

Budj Bim is a long dormant volcano. Budj Bim is the source of the Tyrendarra lava flow which extends over 50km to the southwest. It is central to the history of the Gunditjmara people.
Two kayakers come across a group of pelicans on the Gippsland Lakes.

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

The tranquil Gippsland Lakes are a system of coastal lagoons separated from the Tasman Sea by the coastal dunes of the Ninety Mile Beach. Seven rivers terminate at the lakes – the Latrobe, Avon, Nicholson, Tambo, Mitchell, Macalister and Thomson rivers.
A pelican on the water at the Lakes National Park in Gippsland.

The Lakes National Park

The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Gippsland Lakes, fringed by the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve.
X
By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Confirm