Aboriginal people have had a connection to gariwerd / Grampians for more than 30,000 years, with the surrounding land being the centre of creation stories for many Aboriginal communities in western Victoria. With such a long history in the area, Aboriginal people have made their mark on the gariwerd land over time, and you can still see it today in the many examples of Aboriginal rock art in Victoria.
The gariwerd / Grampians region has the most significant rock sites in the southern part of Australia and is home to more than 80% of Victoria’s total rock art sites.
There are approximately 60 rock art sites within the national park boundaries and all five shelters—Manja, Billimina, Bunjil, Ngamadjidj, and Gulgurn—that are home to the rock art open to the public and easily accessible.
It is not fully known why all Aboriginal rock art was created, but possible reasons include that they were performed as part of a ritual, to illustrate ceremonies such as funerals or initiation rites, or to record significant events such as a successful hunt or the arrival of Europeans.
First Peoples State Relations has a great fact sheet on all facets of Aboriginal rock art. Read it here.
These are the best places to see Aboriginal rock art in Victoria.
Bunjil Shelter
Stawell
The Bunjil Shelter is one of the most significant cultural sites in Australia. The shelter, located in Black Range Scenic Reserve, features an image of Bunjil, the creator of the land, Aboriginal people, the plants, the animals, laws, and the religion.
Bunjil was important in boy’s initiation into manhood, and he was also the guardian of secret lore. At the end of his time on earth, he rose into the sky where he is represented by a star.
First Peoples State Relations
Gulgurn Manja Shelter
Laharum
Find the Gulgurn Manja shelter near the Hollow Mountain camping ground, just a 15-minute walk from Flat Rock Road. Gulgurn Manja means ‘hands of young people’, and the shelter is home to handprints, and paintings of emu tracks.
Ngamadjidj Shelter
Laharum
Ngamadjidj Shelter is significant due to its rock art, but has also been a place where remains of camp fires and stone tools used by the Jardwadjali have been found. There are 16 painted figures at the shelter, which have become very faint. There is currently no meaning known about the paintings.
Billimina Shelter
Glenisla
Billimina Shelter is near the Buandik picnic area, and a short walk from Buandik Falls. The rock overhand is home to more than 2,000 motifs and was a meeting place for the Jardwadjali people.
