Case Study 1: Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland

Case Study 1: Carnarvon Gorge

Carnarvon Gorge is located in a remote area of the Southern Central Highlands of Queensland and home to rock art that showcases complex cultural and spiritual systems. Then, as now, Carnarvon Gorge is a meeting place, where four surrounding Aboriginal groups came together: Kara Kara to the north, Karingbal to the east, Nguri to the south, and Bidjara to the west. A place central to cultural exchange and the middle point to a spiderweb of complex trade networks, Carnarvon Gorge has a great deal to teach us. As a result of this cultural exchange, the Brown River People, the ‘Kairi, Nuri, Longabulla, Wadja and the Yiman’ identify with the gorge as well. The Dreaming states that Mundagurra carved out the sandstone of Carnarvon Gorge, dipping in and out of the water, producing the many different elevations at the Gorge. The Gorge is a place of learning, with known sites for men’s and women’s business.

Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland is a major natural attraction, drawing visitors to its captivating geography. As a gorge, it is a narrow valley between two large mountains, created throughout a long period of erosion. The park contains towering white sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and picturesque creeks lined with greenery as a result of the variety of elevations within the park, the site is also home to multiple microclimates. Established and named as Carnarvon National Park in 1932, the National Park is in place to secure scenic landscapes, important Aboriginal sites of significance and key geological sites. The park features ancient rock art, engravings, and free-hand paintings, that include Ceremonial sites as well as regular living places.

What sites of significance are located within Carnarvon Gorge National Park

The gorge is home to numerous culturally significant sites, including Baloon Cave and a wealth of ancient rock art and artefacts, which depict Dreaming stories, ceremonial practices, and daily life over thousands of years. It is a vital place for cultural storytelling and connection to Country, linking past generations with the present. Ecologically, Carnarvon Gorge supports a diverse range of habitats and species, some of which are unique to the region.

Important sites within the National Park include:

• the Art Gallery (The Art Gallery can be viewed closely within the Marking Country website)

• Moss Garden

• Amphitheatre, and

• Boowinda Gorge walk.

It’s important to note that the entire landscape is itself important, and a site of significance, not just these locations alone.

Carnarvon’s Custodian

Bidjara Elder, Uncle Fred 'Cotto' Conway OAM, is known for his lifelong commitment to Carnarvon Gorge and communicator of Aboriginal knowledge. Under the Nature Conservation Act, he was named as an honorary protector of Carnarvon National Park. He was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his work on the ‘seasonal ranger program’, a system where Aboriginal youth could be mentored by Uncle Fred. As a senior knowledge holder, he is entrusted to carrying knowledge for the Bidjara community and has devoted his life to sharing this knowledge with others and caring for Carnarvon Gorge.

Uncle Fred’s contributions extend beyond mentorship, playing a vital role in cultural preservation and environmental conservation at Carnarvon Gorge. His deep knowledge of the area’s sacred sites and ecological systems informs land management practices that balance Traditional Ecological Knowledge with contemporary conservation efforts. By leading guided tours, he educates the wider community on Bidjara heritage, fostering awareness and respect for Indigenous perspectives on Country. His work reinforces the importance of Aboriginal custodianship in maintaining cultural landscapes, ensuring that future generations inherit both the knowledge and responsibility to protect them.

National Park mismanagement

To accommodate the many visitors to the National Park and make their walking and viewing more accessible, a number of structures have been erected to mixed effect.

The viewing platform at Baloon Cave (2014)

A platform was constructed at Baloon Cave to protect the rock art from tourist impact, but it was built without the consent of the Traditional Owners, causing significant discontent and reflecting a lack of meaningful engagement with them.

Bidjara rock archive fire (2018)

A catastrophic fire destroyed significant rock art within the gorge, the fire was aided by a flammable recycled plastic viewing platform that contributed to the fire. Traditional Owners expressed concern that their exclusion from fire management practices contributed to inadequate protection of culturally significant sites.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) oversees the management of Carnarvon National Park. However, collaboration with all Traditional Owners has historically been limited. Efforts have been made in recent years to involve the Bidjara people and other Traditional Owners in advisory roles, though a formal co-management structure has yet to be implemented.

As a result of the 2014 and 2018 incidents, infrastructure such as pathways and platforms have been constructed to minimise tourist impact on culturally sensitive areas, though not always with proper consultation.

Challenges and missed opportunities

The lack of meaningful collaboration has led to decisions that do not fully respect or prioritise Traditional Owner knowledge and cultural heritage. Events like the fire in 2018 highlight the need for Traditional Ecological Knowledge to play a central role in land and fire management within the National Park

Possible future directions

Formal co-management: Establishing a formal co-management agreement between Traditional Owners and QPWS would ensure Traditional Custodians have greater authority in decisions regarding cultural and environmental preservation.

Incorporation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into conservation practices would enhance the protection of cultural and natural values.

Education and awareness: Increased efforts to educate visitors about the significance of the site and the stories tied to the land would promote respect and understanding.