Aboriginal Connections to Country

The ACT Government acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the Canberra region. The region was also a significant meeting place to neighbouring clans, including the Ngarigo, Wolgalu, Gundungurra, Yuin and Wiradjuri people.

Archaeological excavation and carbon dating of the Birrigai Rock Shelter near Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, rock paintings in Namadgi National Park and other sites, confirms Aboriginal prescence in the ACT region 25,000 years ago. Temperatures in the region would have been several degrees lower 25,000 years ago, and similar to the conditions on the summit of Mount Kosciuszko today. Bogong Moths would pass through the area in October on their way from breeding grounds on the plains, up to the mountains to hibernate for the summer. The moths are highly nutritious, easy to collect and were in sufficient numbers to warrant large gatherings. Different tribes, also gathered for initiation ceremonies, marriage arrangements, corroborees and trade. Jedbinbilla means 'a place where boys become men’, is situated adjacent to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, and was an important place for young boys to learn the first of three stages of man-hood (gatherer, hunter, then warrior).

The ACT region has numerous highly significant Aboriginal cultural sites. Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve are rich with archaeological evidence of Aboriginal occupation, particularly in lower-altitude areas along rivers and streams. Archaeological surveys of two of the valley’s main access routes, the Fishing Gap Trail and the path over Devil’s Gap, have found clear evidence of frequent Aboriginal passage. The area round Gibraltar Rocks also shows signs of activity, and a corroboree site has been found near the headwaters of Sheedys Creek. Researchers believe the valley floor was the focus of a territorial group that survived on the plentiful supply of possum, ducks, wild turkeys, emus, platypus, kangaroo, fish, yabbies and a range of plants, tubers, seeds and fruit.

When Europeans first arrived in the area in the early 1820s there were hundreds of Aboriginal people living in surrounding bush land, which swelled to even more at various times during the year when people travelled to the region for social gatherings and in search of seasonal food. European settlement had the same impact on Aboriginal communities in the ACT as it did in other parts of Australia when first settled by Europeans. It brought displacement from the land and exposed people to new diseases such as influenza, smallpox and tuberculosis, from which many died. 

Aboriginal cultural heritage places are defined as any place of significance under Aboriginal tradition. Aboriginal tradition is defined as observances, customs or beliefs of the people who inhabited Australia before European occupation as well as any observances, customs and beliefs that have evolved or developed from that tradition since European occupation. This recognises that Aboriginal culture is dynamic and evolving and that Aboriginal heritage encompasses all past and present aspects of Aboriginal life.

As custodians of the land, Aboriginal people feel deep responsibility for the survival and preservation of the spirit in the life forms of the land. Dreamtime stories describe their connection to local plants, animals and the landscape. Dreamtime stories, songs and dances were important to teach to the next generation, to relay this connection to the land and for the survival of their culture.

Sites that show Aboriginal occupation could be burial places, campsites, rock shelters (with or without ochre paintings) stone arrangements, scarred trees, ceremonial grounds, grinding grooves, quarries and sacred places. At times Aboriginal occupation is also evident at early European sites such as historic homesteads, cemeteries, reserves and old bridle tracks and coach roads.

Evidence of traditional culture is present across the whole landscape. New sites are often discovered in areas subject to development, or in areas that have been subject to natural events such as fire or drought. Some of these places continue to have traditional significance to contemporary Aboriginal society.

Aboriginal Heritage is not just about caring for significant sites in parks, or placing artefacts in museums. Aboriginal people need to able to access the land, renew their cultural learning, and be involved in and consulted about the conservation of our natural environment.

Further Information

• The Bogong Moth Story
• Aboriginal Cultural Landscape, Sites and Artefacts   

Brochures   

• Indigenous Heritage (  PDF 1.6MB)
• Grinding Grooves (PDF 3.2MB)
• Indigenous Plant Use ( PDF 2.2MB)
• Rock Shelters ( PDF 1.4MB)
• Aboriginal Scarred Trees ( PDF 2.5MB)
• Yankee Hat Rock Art Site ( PDF 1.2MB)