Aboriginal Victoria
A long history
Aboriginal people have had an association with the Grampians, traditionally known as Gariwerd, for thousands of years. Indigenous Australians have left evidence of their lives in the region, including ancient oven mounds, scatterings of stone left over from tool making, rock art sites and the beliefs handed down from one generation to the next.
The heart and soul of Gariwerd
Gariwerd is a special place at the centre of creation stories for many of the Aboriginal communities in south-western Victoria. The region has the largest number of rock art sites in southern Australia, and is home to over 80 per cent of Victoria's rock art sites, five of which are open to the public.
Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre, housed in an extraordinary building with an undulating roof resembling the sweeping wings of a cockatoo or Gariwerd's mountains, brings home the significance of indigenous culture in the Grampians.
Extraordinary rock art
Today approximately 60 rock art sites, containing more than 4,000 different motifs have been identified in the National Park. Several shelters are open to the public and are all easily accessible. In the Western Grampians you can visit Manja and Billimina shelters and in the north Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja shelters. One of the most important sites in the region, and in Victoria, is Bunjil's shelter.
Aboriginal rock art shelters
Billimina – Grampians National Park
Start this walk at the Buandik camping ground and follow Billiamina Creek upstream to the Buandik Falls. From there a short walk leads you to the shelter. This massive rock overhang was once a meeting place for the Jardwadjali people, and is covered with over 2,500 motifs that consist of red ochre bar strokes.
Billywing Road off Henty Highway, Western Grampians
Bunjil's – near Stawell
One of the most important Aboriginal rock art sites in the region this site depicts Bunjil, the traditional creator of the land, and his two dingoes. Bunjil was known as a good spirit who created things as they are today and gave the tribes their law and culture.
Eleven kilometres from Stawell and sign-posted off the Stawell-Pomonal Road
Gulgurn Manja – Grampians National Park
Gulgurn Manja means 'hands of young people'. The Gulgurn Manja Shelter displays small handprints in red ochre. Signage outlines some of the stories and legends of the Jardwadjali people and the mountains they call Gariwerd.
Mt Zero Road, Northern Grampians
Manja – Grampians National Park
This fascinating large rock shelter is on the western side of the Grampians. Manja symbolises the link between the Jardwadjali and their land. It is believed that the hand stencils were a way of recording a visit to this incredible rock overhang. This rock site also has more hand stencils than any other site in Victoria.
Off Harrap Track via Glenelg River Road and Henty Highway, Western Grampians
Ngamadjidj – Grampians National Park
Take this self-guided walk to an Aboriginal art site that depicts the dancing spirit with white painted figures. The walk from the car park to Ngamadjidj Shelter is short and suitable for people with limited mobility.
Plantation Road and Grampians Road, Northern Grampians