Explore Aboriginal East Gippsland

Exploring the Bataluk* Cultural Trail.

The Gunaikurnai, over 30,000 years of occupation of Gippsland.

The five clans of the Gunaikurnai nation: Bratwoloong, Brayakooloong, Tatungooloong, Brabawooloong and Krowathunkooloong have inhabited the Gippsland region for over 30,000 years.

Mostly the people lived in harmony with one another, meeting for corroborees which involved marriage and initiation ceremonies, trade of goods (such as stones suitable for axe making and fine tools), dancing and feasting. Occasionally there were battles over tribal lands and women.

Care of the land was an important aspect of Gunikurnai law. Many traditions revolved around the protection and preservation of the environment.

Many sites along the Bataluk Cultural Trail will show the respect, undestanding, legends and law for the land the Gunaikurnai had.

Sites

  1. white woman's waterhole
    won wron state reserve
  2. the lagoon
    sale common state game reserve
  3. the knob reserve
    stratford
  4. ramahyuck cemetery
    perry bridge
  5. den of nargun
    mitchell river national park
  6. krowathunkooloong keeping place
    bairnsdale
  7. howitt park
    bairnsdale
  8. legend rock
    metung
  9. buchan caves
    buchan
  10. burnt bridge reserve
    lake tyers forest park
  11. salmon rock and gunai boardwalk
    cape conran

Site Access

For a variety of reasons such as environmental or historical sensitivity, some sites in the region are not appropriate for unrestricted access by members of the general public. We ask that you treat all sites along the trail with respect and care, to ensure that they are preserved for future generations.

The Heritage Act of Victoria

There is a high concentration of GUNAIKURNAI sites in the Gippsland area including artefact scatters, shell middens, scarred trees, massacre sites and axe grinding grooves. The need to protect sites often means that they cannot be openly publicised.

IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE HERITAGE ACT (2006) TO TAMPER WITH OR REMOVE ANYTHING FROM AN ABORIGINAL SITE
 

Maps

Bataluk Cultural Trail
Clan areas on the Bataluk Cultural Trail
View Larger Map

Contact

Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative
37 - 53 Dalmahoy Street
Bairnsdale
Tel: (03) 5152 1891

Visitor Information Centres Orbost  (03) 5154 2424
Lakes Entrance  (03) 5155 1966
Bairnsdale  (03) 5152 3444
Maffra  (03) 5141 1811
Sale  1800 677 520

Sites

  1. white woman's waterhole
    won wron state reserve
  2. the lagoon
    sale common state game reserve
  3. the knob reserve
    stratford
  4. ramahyuck cemetery
    perry bridge
  5. den of nargun
    mitchell river national park
  6. krowathunkooloong keeping place
    bairnsdale
  7. howitt park
    bairnsdale
  8. legend rock
    metung
  9. buchan caves
    buchan
  10. burnt bridge reserve
    lake tyers forest park
  11. salmon rock and gunai boardwalk
    cape conran

 

Please treat all sites along the trail with respect and care to ensure they are preserved for future generations.