Be Bushfire Smart

Mount Eccles National Park, 6120 ha in size, stands at the western edge of the volcanic plains that stretch from Melbourne to Port Fairy, extending northwards to Hamilton and Ararat. Beginning about 20,000 years ago, volcanic eruptions opened the earth's crust and poured out thousands of tonnes of molten lava, forming Mount Eccles and the surrounding landscape. Today, the three main craters hold a 700 metre long lake known as Lake Surprise, which is fed by underground springs. The once red-hot lava has been covered with the lush green of heathland and Manna Gum forest. Geological features to be seen are extensive lava flows, lava caves, scoria cones and crater lakes.

• Walk around the rim then descend into the crater and follow the shoreline of the lake. Take the rough track along the lava canal and see the broken basalt of the old lava flows.
• Explore the inside of a lava cave.
• Listen to the wildlife; try to spot a koala.
• Visit the Byaduk Caves, one of the most extensive and accessible sets of lava caves in Australia. Only one cave is open to the public - contact the ranger to arrange access.
• Climb Mount Napier (a true volcanic cone) in nearby Mount Napier State Park. Here you can stand on the edge of the most recently active volcano in Victoria and enjoy magnificent views from the Grampians to the sea.

• The picnic ground at Mount Eccles National Park has fireplaces, tables, toilets, a picnic shelter and an Information Centre.

Camping

• Camping grounds have basic facilities including fireplaces, tables, hot showers and toilets.
• Camping sites for larger groups and one for people with disabilities are also provided.
• Bookings are required over the Christmas, New Year and Easter breaks; camping fees apply.

Booking periods
Bookings are only applicable to the four periods listed in the table below. At other times of the year visitors select their campsites on arrival with sites allocated on a first come – first serve basis.

Booking a campsite
Call the Parks Victoria Portland Office on (03) 5522 3440 during business hours. Sites will only be held until 2:00pm the following day if no prior arrangement has been made.

The campground has twenty campsites at various sizes; some suitable for small caravans/camper-trailers. Some are only suitable for tents.

It is recommended that potential campers check campsites before making bookings.

Camping fees
A fee of $16.50 per night per campsite applies. A campsite can accommodate up to six people.

Additional vehicles - this fee includes one car but additional vehicles are $5.70 per night.

Fees are payable to the honesty box near the office.

Aboriginal tribes resided in two areas around Mount Eccles - one area south of the park at Lake Gorrie, the second at Lake Condah, west of the Park. They constructed stone huts in both areas and stone fish traps at Lake Condah, and lived on fish, native plants and animals. They were permanent residents in these areas until European settlement slowly pushed them out.

Mount Eccles was declared a public purposes (picnic) reserve in 1926. The 35 ha were managed by a committee of local people who built the existing picnic shelter and the track down to and around the edge of Lake Surprise. After World War 2, management was taken over by the Shire of Minhamite until 1960 when the park was declared a National Park. In 1968, 400 ha were added by incorporating part of the Stones Flora and Faunal Reserve west of the mount. When the remainder of the Reserve was added in 1985, Mount Eccles National Park increased to 6120 ha, its present size, which covers the majority of the lava flow from Mount Eccles.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

• All plants, animals and geological features are protected.
• No firearms, dogs and other pets.
• Fires are only to be lit in fireplaces provided.
• Take your rubbish with you.

• When walking in the area, strong footwear is recommended.

• Grampians National Park
• Lower Glenelg National Park
• Mount Napier State Park
• Mount Richmond National Park