Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Aboriginal Rock Art
Rock art - engravings, stencils, drawings and paintings, often found in broad cave or cliff
galleries - is a diary of human activity by Australia's indigenous peoples stretching over
tens of thousands of years. Queensland has plenty of sites, especially hidden around the Far
North. Try to see some while you're here - the experience of viewing rock art in the sur-
roundings in which it was painted is far more profound than seeing it in a gallery.
Carnarvon Gorge, in Carnarvon National Park, houses rock engravings, freehand draw-
ing and over 2000 mouth-sprayed stencils, which are of deep spiritual significance to the
present-day Bidjarra people of the area.
The Kuku Yalanji sites, in Mossman Gorge, feature Dreaming legends depicted in cave
paintings. The Kuku Yalanji community offers excellent guided walks to see and under-
stand the art.
The Split Rock and Guguyalangi Galleries, on the Cape York Peninsula, have some of
the best-known examples of Quinkan art, a painting style in northern Australia that's
named after human-like spirit figures with oddly shaped heads. There are hundreds of an-
cient rock-art sites displaying this style around Laura in Cape York. The most accessible is
the Split Rock site; tours are led by Aboriginal guides from Laura. Check out the Quinkan
& Regional Cultural Centre site ( www.quinkancc.com.au ) for information about Cape
York Peninsula rock art and how to access it.
Wangaar-Wuri sites, near Cooktown, depict different aspects of local society and Abori-
ginal culture, including family stories, mythical figures, spiritual beliefs and practical guid-
ance. Difficult to find on your own, they are best visited with local guides on Guurrbi Tours (
07-4069 6043; www.guurrbitours.com ; tours 2/4hr $95/120, self-drive $65/85;
Mon-Sat) , who can help
explain the fascinating works.
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