First Nations Country - Bushwalking Manual

First nations people have lived in Australia for 65,000 years. Their attachment to Country is profound and enduring.

There is much evidence of daily life, art and ceremonies across Country, including:

Scar trees. Bark was removed from large trees to make canoes, shelters, shields or containers.
Middens. Deposits of shells, bone and charcoal from fires. These can be very large. Common along coastlines and lake shores.
Paintings and stencils in caves and under rock overhangs.
Rock carvings (petroglyphs).
Fish and eel traps. In swamps and wetlands.
Stone tools. Including axes, knives, grinding stones and scrapers.
Stone tool manufacturing sites. Grinding groves and stone flakes.
Ceremonial sites. Rock and stone arrangements, earth mounds.
Wells
Dwellings
Burials

Page Contents

Sacred Sites

Certain areas within the landscape have a deep significance in tradition and culture. These areas are usually managed by the Traditional Owners. Access is not permitted to some areas. Other areas may require a permit to access.

Protection

First Nations cultural places and objects are protected by Federal, State and Territory legislation. They must not be disturbed.

National Park Management

National Parks are managed in partnership with Traditional Owners. This legal partnership recognises their connection to Country, blending cultural knowledge with conservation.

Accessible sites

Some First Nations sites are signposted, identified on maps and described in guides. Traditional owners will have given permission for this to occur.

Many other sites are not signposted or identified in the public domain, so as to best protect the site and to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.

Place names derived from First Nations languages

Although not necessarily accurate phonetic transcriptions by early Europeans, or the actual place name, such names are very important because many First Nations languages are now lost.

A few of many examples: Yarra, Donna Buang, Baw Baw, Croajingalong, Bogong, Jagungal, Namadgi, Coogee, Gidjuum Gulganyi, K’gari, Kakadu, Bibbulmun, Onkaparinga, Uluru.

Other words derived from First Nations languages

Some examples: wallaby, kangaroo, koala, wombat, galah, dingo, brolga, corella, barramundi, billabong, waratah, mallee, quandong, cooee.

Respectful bushwalking

Bushwalkers should take great care to respect Country, and any site with First Nations heritage, including:

During trip planning
- Obtain the necessary permits.
- Find out the name of Traditional Owners and Custodians of the area.
- Research any significant sites, place names, etc.

On the trip
- Carry out Acknowledgement of Country to respect the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the area, at beginning of trip.
- Conform to any permit requirements and restrictions.
- Do not rest or camp on or near special places such as middens, petroglyphs, art or dwelling sites, or in occupation caves or rock shelters.
- Do not touch cave walls, art, rock carvings or remove any artefacts.

This page is a summary of some aspects of the importance of Country that are especially relevant to bushwalking.