Home/Curriculum resources/Exploring local Country: Places of importance/Case Study 5: National parks and named landforms
Learning Areas:
Humanities and Social Sciences, English, Mathematics
Year levels:
Foundation, Level 1, Level 2
Case Study 5: National parks and named landforms
This case study is a part of the Exploring local Country: Places of importance resource.
Purnululu National Park. Location: The lands of the Jaru and Gija Peoples (Western Australia). Photographer: W. Bulach. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Case Study 5: National parks and named landforms
National parks and named landforms are public places to learn about and enjoy Country. They may be important for culture, nature and community, and, where appropriate, are used for education and community activities. Visitors are encouraged to follow local guidance from Elders, Traditional Owners, Rangers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander–led tour groups, act respectfully, and practise caring for Country to look after plants, animals and cultural heritage.
Table 1: Examples from across the country
Name & Location | Custodians | Details |
|---|---|---|
Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, NT | Anangu People | Iconic rock domes and formations with deep cultural significance; public viewing areas, guided programs and clear visitor protocols support respectful learning and conservation. 0 |
Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle), WA | Gija and Jaru Peoples | Beehive domes, gorges and seasonal access; learn through guided interpretation and ranger advice. 0 |
Namadgi National Park, ACT | Ngunnawal People | Alpine granite tors, high-country wetlands and catchments; visitor centres share cultural context and care guidelines. 0 |
Tarra-Bulga National Park, VIC | Gunaikurnai People | Cool-temperate rainforest and mountain ash forests; joint-management noted in planning; visitor codes emphasise care for plants and wildlife. 0 |
Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, NT | Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarre and Warlpiri Peoples | Granite boulder landscape with strong cultural significance and sacred site protections; onsite guidance for respectful access. 0 |
Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park, SA | Adnyamathanha People | Ranges, gorges and lookouts (including Ikara/Wilpena Pound); co-management highlights caring for habitats and cultural places. 0 |
Kakadu National Park, NT | Binin j/ Mungguy Peoples | Escarpments, stone Country and billabongs; seasonal programs and cultural interpretation support respectful visiting. 0 |
Karijini National Park, WA | Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli Peoples | Ancient gorges, waterfalls and pools; managed access and safety/care codes protect fragile places. 0 |
Blue Mountains National Park, NSW | Gundungurra and Darug Peoples | Plateaus, valleys and cliff lines with named lookouts and public interpretation; visitor codes support safe, respectful access. 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 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 12: Trails and cultural walks
Signed trails and cultural walks help people explore Country step by step.
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.