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
 

• White Woman's Water Hole
• The Lagoon
• Knob Reserve
• Ramahyuck Cemetery
• Den of Nargun
• Krowathunkooloong
• Howitt Park
• Legend Rock
• Buchan Caves
• Burnt Bridge
• Cape Conran
• The Heritage Act