Case Study 2: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Australian Capital Territory

Case Study 2: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Australian Capital Territory

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), about 40 kilometres southwest of Canberra. Nestled between the Tidbinbilla and Gibraltar mountain ranges, the reserve spans rugged landscapes, eucalyptus forests, and rich wetlands, offering stunning views and diverse ecosystems.

A site of significance

Tidbinbilla holds historical and ongoing significance for the Traditional Owners Ngunnawal people, who maintain a lasting cultural, spiritual, and historical connection to the land. For the Ngunnawal people, history is not only preserved through archaeological discoveries but also woven into the landscape through oral traditions, storytelling, dance, memory, ceremony, and artistic expressions found at rock art sites. Cultural landscapes include mountains, waterholes, rivers, caves, rock formations, flora and fauna as well as wind and air.

Tidbinbilla geographical formations hold deep significance, reflecting the Dreaming stories of the valley and its enduring connection to the people who have lived and thrived there for thousands of years. For example, the contours of the western slopes resemble the shape of a pregnant woman, while at the heart of the Tidbinbilla Valley, a rock formation appears as a perched eagle (Maliyan), the creator spirit of the Tidbinbilla Dreaming story ¹.

A place for ceremony and gathering

Tidbinbilla was a key place for Ngunnawal ceremonies, with groups from nearby areas entering through Gibraltar Peak, where an Elder would light a fire to guide people into the valley. Neighbouring language groups travelled to Ngunnawal Country for the purpose of ceremony, law, marriage arrangements, trade, exchange of seasonal foods and cultural knowledge.

Geological formations within Tidbinbilla are sacred places of cultural law and places special to either Men or Women’s business. The name "Tidbinbilla" originates from the Ngunnawal word "Jedbinbilla," meaning "where boys become men" ⁰ . This reflects the valley's significance as a place for ceremonies and the transmission of traditional men’s law within Ngunnawal culture. Men’s sites were typically located in the higher peaks of the valley. One rock shelter, along the path to Gibraltar Rock peak contains ancient rock art and is a significant men’s site. The mountains of Tidbinbilla also hold cultural importance for Ngunnawal women, these sites were often situated closer to the river that wound through the valley. In some of these areas, grinding grooves can still be seen along the river’s edge. Grinding grooves are oval-shaped indentations in sandstone used to give stone axe heads a sharp cutting edge ⁰ .

Management

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is managed through a collaborative partnership between several groups, including:

• Aboriginal Natural Resource Management (Aboriginal NRM)

• Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians

• ACT Heritage

• ACT Parks and Conservation Service (ACT PCS)

This partnership ensures that land management practices respect and integrate Ngunnawal cultural values, utilising traditional knowledge and practices. Projects and programs that guide stewardship of the land are designed by Ngunnawal community members and prioritise the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage ⁰ .

Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians are engaged in practices to protect cultural sites and advice to Environment, Heritage and ACT PCS to conserve and protect tangible and intangible values within the cultural landscape of the ACT. This includes fire and waterways management.

Conservation

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve integrates traditional knowledge into its conservation efforts. This is evident in the development of interpretation programs for Aboriginal cultural heritage which are designed and promoted by Aboriginal people to educate visitors about the rich cultural significance of the area ⁰ . Tidbinbilla is recognised as a leader in conservation research, with key contributions to the recovery of species such as the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Northern Corroboree Frog, and Grassland Earless Dragon.

Ranger guides

Tidbinbilla’s ranger-guided activities offer immersive learning experiences that deepen visitors' understanding of the area’s rich cultural heritage and diverse ecosystems. Participants can explore the reserve’s landscapes and gain insights into local wildlife, conservation efforts, and the significance of the land to the Ngunnawal people. The aim of these sessions is to foster an appreciation for the ongoing preservation of this unique environment.