The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in southwest Victoria became the first in Australia to receive World Heritage protection solely for its Aboriginal cultural importance.

It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List at a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday following a decades-long campaign by traditional owners, some of whom were present for the announcement.

The site was created about 6600 years ago by the Gunditjmara people and is considered one of the world's oldest freshwater aquaculture systems.

This system includes stone channels, weirs and dams which were built to bring water and young eels from the creek to low-lying areas.

The people had a finely-tuned farming system to capture larger eels while ferrying smaller ones into adjoining stone pools through specially designed woven nets.

The sophisticated system supplied the settlement with enough food to sustain them year-round and also to undertake trade.

The site features the remnants of about 300 round stone huts that are the only remaining permanent houses built by an indigenous community in Australia - busting the myth that all Aboriginal people were nomadic.

"This is a very special day for our community. This landscape, which we have cared for over thousands of years, is so important to Gunditjmara People," Gunditjmara elder Denise Lovett said in a statement.

"The decision also recognises Budj Bim's significance to all of humanity. We are so proud to now be able to share our achievements and story with the world."

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings said it was wonderful to see the site globally recognised.

Budj Bim is the 20th site in Australia to make it to the 1000-strong list and the second for Victoria alongside the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, which was listed in 2004.

Other Australian World Heritage sites include the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park and the Sydney Opera House.

Australian Associated Press