Indigenous Special Places
The Yuin nation or South Coast Koori People are the traditional custodians of the Sapphire Coast region.
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary stories of the world’s oldest living culture.
Biamanga
“Mumbulla Mountain is sacred to us. It is a place for Bunan, our initiation ceremonies. Mumbulla Creek is incredibly special to us, and there are many, many sites within this isolated creek valley. Within a five-kilometre radius of Mumbulla Creek picnic area, twenty-seven sites have been located consisting of open campsites, ceremonial sites, a stone arrangement, and a scarred tree.” Yuin Mountain Parks Plan of Management.
Gulaga
“Gulaga is our spiritual mother and place of origin, our birthplace… She is sacred and her spirit endures…”
“Gulaga had two sons who left her to travel east, Baranguba (Montague Island) and Nudganooga (Najanuka-Little Dromedary Mountain). When they got to the ocean, she called the younger one back. The elder son is forever in the form of Baranguba, whilst the younger son is Nudganooga (Najanuka).”
“Umbarra (Merriman Island) lies within Wallaga Lake and can be seen from Gulaga. Merriman Island is the shape of a duck and associated with King Merriman, an original inhabitant of Wallaga Lake whose name was also Umbarra (meaning Pacific black duck). The black duck is our, the Yuin people’s, tribal totem. Many of our Yuin people, especially at Wallaga Lake, continue to identify as ‘Black Duck people’.” – Yuin Mountain Parks Plan of Management.
To experience Gulaga and her stories we recommend a drive to Tilba Tilba or for a deep immersion in culture visit Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness.
Gulaga
“Gulaga is our spiritual mother and place of origin, our birthplace… She is sacred and her spirit endures…”
“Gulaga had two sons who left her to travel east, Baranguba (Montague Island) and Nudganooga (Najanuka-Little Dromedary Mountain). When they got to the ocean, she called the younger one back. The elder son is forever in the form of Baranguba, whilst the younger son is Nudganooga (Najanuka).”
“Umbarra (Merriman Island) lies within Wallaga Lake and can be seen from Gulaga. Merriman Island is the shape of a duck and associated with King Merriman, an original inhabitant of Wallaga Lake whose name was also Umbarra (meaning Pacific black duck). The black duck is our, the Yuin people’s, tribal totem. Many of our Yuin people, especially at Wallaga Lake, continue to identify as ‘Black Duck people’.” – Yuin Mountain Parks Plan of Management.
To experience Gulaga and her stories we recommend a drive to Tilba Tilba or for a deep immersion in culture visit Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness.
The Bundian Way
The Bundian Way is a shared history pathway between Tarangal (Kosciusko) and Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach). It connects the highest part of the continent and the coast via an ancient Aboriginal route that brought together the people of the greater region, most notably for ceremonies associated with whaling in springtime at Twofold Bay and moth hunting in the high country during summer.
Primarily the Bundian Way is a teaching place. It’s educational values have considerable regional, national and international potential. The Bundian way can tell the story of country and how it has been managed through time, as well as the dispossession and treatment of it’s first people. That story is not always a happy one but it is important that it is known and understood.
The Bundian Way is currently in development to become a connected walking track, but is not open for walkers yet. To get a taste of the Bundian Way, you are invited to experience the Story Trail in Eden and the Bundian Way Art Gallery in Delegate which are proudly presented by Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council.