Ownership is a key element for the effective protection and management of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. However, access to and ownership of the land was denied to Gunditjmara during great part of the 19th century when, after the arrival of British colonial invaders, Gunditjmara Country was occupied and access to the land became increasingly denied to Gunditjmara Traditional Owners until the 1980s. Nevertheless, and throughout the period of colonisation, the Gunditjmara retained connections to the aquaculture system through knowledge of the stories of Budj Bim and associated land-use practices.

From 1984, land was increasingly returned to and purchased by Gunditjmara Traditional Owners. In 2007, with the recognition of the native title rights of Gunditjmara, some parts of Country were returned to Gunditjmara. Today, Aboriginal organisations own and manage the World Heritage site of Budj Bim with the exception of Budj Bim National Park, which is co-operatively managed by the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners and the Victorian Government.

The ownership of the land enables Gunditjmara cultural traditions, knowledge and practices to be expressed in the present and into the future as a consequence of the recognition of both Gunditjmara custodial and native title rights and obligations.