Learn more about the spiritual beliefs and unique traditions of Australia’s first people, culturally significant sites, renowned art and original crafts, and a living history which reaches back more than 60,000 years.
The region is not only magnificent in its natural diversity, but also a place steeped in Indigenous history and spiritual significance.
Barmah State Forest / Heritage and Education Centre
The Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre and surrounding Barmah State Forest lie within the traditional territory of the Yorta Yorta people who have occupied the land for thousands of years. (Continued on page 35)
The centre in Nathalia is a delightful place to explore the rich history of the Barmah National Park and surrounding region and has many interesting displays that celebrate the region including displays of local indigenous history,
Take a walk through the Barmah National Park which has the largest River Red Gum Forest in the world.
There are lots of walking tracks and hundreds of different species of birds for keen birdwatchers, as well groups of emus strolling around.
The Dharnya Centre nearby also has a display of Indigenous culture and artefacts. It is presently closed as the building needs major renovation and there are plans to rebuild and re-open in the near future.
The car park and walks leaving from the Dharnya Centre have remained open to the public and the Cultural Officers previously based at the Centre have continued to deliver talks and information sessions to schools and groups upon request.
Ovens Riverside Path and Bullawah Cultural Trail
The Bullawah Cultural Trail project was created to celebrate and share the ancient stories, knowledge and skills of local Indigenous people.
This self-guided family experience in Wangaratta snakes 2.4 kilometres along the Ovens River.
In the Bpangerang language, Bullawah (bulla meaning two and wah meaning water) signifies the two suspension bridges crossing the river as well as the joining of the two rivers and the coming together of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Marmungun Rock is at the beginning of the Bullawah Cultural Trail, with the word ‘Marmungun’ meaning ‘of this group/area’ – it is the closest traditional Bpangerang word for community. The featured hand prints are an enduring tribute to outstanding individuals in our community.
To delve deeper into the Aboriginal stories along the trail scan your smartphone wherever you see a QR code to unlock some amazing short films.
Aboriginal Exhibitions Gallery at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate
Operating as a commercial art gallery housed within the Rutherglen cellar door complex, visitors to Rutherglen can enjoy free entry to curated exhibitions that are presented quarterly. (Continued on page 36)
The Aboriginal Exhibitions Gallery is a unique joint venture between the winery and Australian Aboriginal art collector, Hans Sip.
De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate has unlimited access to the complete Hans Sip collection; one that consists of more than 700 paintings, prints, artefacts and sculptures.
Works in the collection include paintings from significantly collected and highly recognised artists including: Trevor ‘Turbo’ Brown, Frederick William ‘Billy’ Doolan Jnr, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Craig Charles and Djambu ‘Sambo’ Barra Barra.
Moulamein River walk
Learn all about the rich history and heritage of the oldest town in the Riverina on the Moulamein River walk.
This signed self-guided tour follows the Edward River and the Billabong Creek.
The walk is the perfect location to spot native wildlife such as kangaroos, emus, goannas, bearded dragons, and kookaburras just to name a few.
Along the way are featured storyboards depicting the region’s rich history and environment.
Look out for highlights such as the Old Moulamein wharf, Ring Tree, Scar Tree, Mooloomoon Shearing Shed, and the famous Big Tree.
The Big Tree is a Meeting Place and is considered culturally significant with Traditional Indigenous owners. The age of the tree is estimated to be between 500 years and 1000 years.
This area has great cultural and historical significance for the local Wamba Wamba people, who have hunted, fished, cooked, camped, and held ceremonial gatherings in this area for hundreds of years.
Boat Rock, Yarrawonga/ Mulwala
Boat Rock was made by Bpangerang people who used the reservoir catch and hold water for use over the summer period. The site is about 25 kms north from Mulwala and is very seldom visited.
The exceptional quality of this site is that it is the only site in the whole of Australia that demonstrates that Aboriginals were able to construct a water storage from solid granite rock. (Continued on page 37)
Another amazing factor at this site, is that it takes very little rain to completely fill the water reservoir. The hole that was “dug, built or made” is in the perfect position to catch the entire run off of the granite outcrop into which it has been made. A small shower of rain is sufficient to fill the hole with water, which is very necessary over the summer period.
The Bpangerang Tribe were the original aboriginal inhabitants of the area, from Howlong to Berrigan, and are attributed with naming the twin towns. ‘Yarra’ means ‘water running over rocks’, and ‘wonga’ was named after the ‘wonga pigeon’ which were abundant in the region at the time. ‘Mulwala’ means ‘big lagoon’ or ‘big back water’.
Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk
The Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk in Albury features a series of stunning contemporary Aboriginal sculptures lining the Wagirra Trail from Kremur Street to Wonga Wetlands. Eleven sculptures created by local Aboriginal artists have been installed along the five kilometres of trail.
Take a leisurely stroll or cycle the two metre wide shared pathway which meanders through the riverside parks (Noreuil, Australia, and Hovell Tree), past the Adventure Playspace at Oddies Creek, Albury Swim Centre, through Padman Park and west of Kremur Street (3.2km) to Wonga Wetlands. The last section of the trail, from Kremur Street to Wonga Wetlands is sealed.
The Wagirra Trail also links to the Bungambrawatha Creek Trail, West Albury Trail, South Albury Trail and beyond to the Albury– Thurgoona Trail.
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