Home/Curriculum resources/Exploring local Country: Places of importance/Case Study 12: Trails and cultural walks
Learning Areas:
Humanities and Social Sciences, English, Mathematics
Year levels:
Foundation, Level 1, Level 2
Case Study 12: Trails and cultural walks
This case study is a part of the Exploring local Country: Places of importance resource.
Mossman Gorge, Queensland. Photographer: Chris Olszewski. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Case Study 12: Trails and cultural walks
National, regional and community trails offer guided or self-guided ways to learn on Country. Many are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander–led and follow storylines, coastal paths, river corridors or rock Country. They help visitors understand local places through language, history, ecology and cultural practice, and often include guidance on protocols, seasonal knowledge and caring for Country.
Table 1: Examples from across the country
Name & Location | Custodians | Details |
|---|---|---|
Lurujarri Heritage Trail, Broome, WA | Goolarabooloo People | An 80 km coastal walking route north of Broome following a Song Cycle; established with cultural leadership from Paddy Roe OAM to share living knowledge of Country. 0 0 |
Bardedjilidji Walk, Kakadu National Park, NT | Bininj / Mungguy Peoples | Sandstone Country walk by the East Alligator River; “Bardedjilidji” is a local word for the paperbark trees along the track. 0 |
Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks, Mossman Gorge, QLD | Kuku Yalanji People | Indigenous-guided forest walks sharing stories, bush foods and cultural practices on Kuku Yalanji land. 0 |
Wukalina Walk, wukalina / Mt William & larapuna / Bay of Fires, TAS | Palawa People | Aboriginal-owned, multi-day guided walk connecting coastal and inland Country with story, language and seasonal knowledge. 0 |
Budj Bim Guided Cultural Tours, Tae Rak (Lake Condah), VIC | Gunditjmara People | Tours of the UNESCO-listed aquaculture landscape, including stone-constructed eel traps and channels; depart from Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre. 0 |
Mutawintji Historic Site Guided Walks, near Broken Hill, NSW | Pantjikali, Wanyuparku, Wilyakali, and Malyangapa Peoples | Ranger-supported Aboriginal guided experiences to rock art and story places within a jointly managed park. 0 0 |
Kaurna Walking Trail, Adelaide CBD & riverbank, SA | Kaurna People | Self-guided city walk (about 10.7 km; 2-3 hours) visiting places of significance to Kaurna culture and history in and around the Adelaide Park Lands and Karrawirra Pari (River Torrens). Features sites highlighted in the Kaurna Reconciliation Sculptures project and a mapped route with brief context notes for each stop; produced in collaboration with Kaurna community members and supported by the City of Adelaide. 0 0 |
Related case studies within this resources:
Case Study 1: Rock art
Aboriginal rock art, painted or engraved in sheltered rock places, marks living and ceremonial sites and, as some of the oldest art on Earth, needs ongoing care and respect.
Case Study 2: Stone arrangements
Aboriginal stone arrangements, carefully placed rocks for cultural, ceremonial or navigational purposes, are deeply significant; many meanings are not public, and most sites (often on private land) require protection and discretion.
Case Study 3: Middens
Middens are time capsules of everyday life; archaeologists study them to learn how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples lived and ate before and after colonisation.
Case Study 4: Scarred trees
Scarred trees are living records where bark was carefully taken to make canoes, shields, coolamons and other items; they reveal deep knowledge and need careful identification and protection.
Case Study 5: National parks and named landforms
National parks and named landforms are public places to learn about and enjoy Country, supporting culture, nature and community.
Case Study 6: Reefs and Sea Country
Reefs, islands and coastal places support rich life and long custodianship.
Case Study 7: Rivers, lakes and wetlands
Rivers, lakes and wetlands provide water, habitat and teaching places.
Case Study 8: Urban parks, gardens and native gardens
Urban parks and native gardens are everyday places to connect with Country in the city.
Case Study 9: Contemporary murals and public art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists
Contemporary murals and public artworks share language, stories and community identity.
Case Study 10: Meeting places and community spaces
Meeting and community places support gathering, celebration and learning.
Case Study 11: Monuments and memorials
Monuments and memorials remember people, events and stories.
Case Study 13: Museums, galleries and cultural centres
Museums, galleries and cultural centres share publicly available knowledge and exhibits.
Case Study 14: The Rainbow Serpent
Across Australia, many Aboriginal communities share Rainbow Serpent stories, known by different names and sometimes described as female or male, that connect to water places and other important landscapes.