Bunjil's Lookout - 1795 Steiglitz road, Maude

The design of Bunjil's Lookout takes its inspiration from the indigenous story of the wedge-tailed eagle, Bunjil. It was opened on 27th February 2015 with a traditional smoking ceremony. An article in the Golden Plains Gazette (April 2015) titled "Bunjil Lookout Keeping an Eagle-Eye on the Moorabool Valley" gives an excellent account of the opening.

Aboriginal Culture

"Bellin-Bellin, open your bag and let out some wind." 

Bellin-Bellin opened his bag and released a wind so strong that it carried big trees into the air, roots and all. Bunjil wanted more wind, so Bellin-Bellin opened all his bags and released a wind so great that it carried Bunjil and his family to Tharangalk-Bek (the Heavens). Bunjil and his family now live in the Heavens and are stars looking down on the world. You can see them in the night sky.

"Bunjil is the Star Altair in the Eagle Constellation. The two stars beside Bunjil are Ganawarra and her spirit." 

Bunjil's Lookout Official Opening

The Lookout, representing a wedge-tailed eagle in flight, overlooks the Moorabool River valley, with a spectacular view of the surrounding farming land and the vineyards below. The inspired brainchild of our two local architects, Ms. Catherine Schurmann and Dr. Fiona Gray, with the enthusiastic  support of the Maude, She Oaks, Steiglitz Community Planning Group and the Maude Recreation Reserve Committee, Bunjil Lookout has become a reality.

Those gathered were welcomed by Uncle Bryon Powell, Wathaurung Elder and Traditional Owner of the land who commenced proceedings with a Smoking Ceremony. He then explained the significance of the ceremony and the Maude area, and spoke of the local stone quarries and the number of artefacts found in the area, many of which are not easily recognisable to the untrained eye.

Would you like to enjoy an aerial view of the lookout? Click on the video below to see the wedge-tailed eagle shape of the lookout from above, glimpses of the Moorabool River Valley and the night-lit spectacular wood carvings of the support pillars. Many thanks to the tourist couple who donated this video to the Golden Plains Shire.