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Sale wetlands
The wetlands may be reached either via Lake Guthridge,
which is right beside the Princes Highway/South Gippsland Highway intersection
in Sale, or by turning off the South Gippsland Highway about 1km out of
town. The turnoff is well signposted. Further information may
be obtained at the Sale Visitor Information Centre. |
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The wetlands were like a supermarket for the Koorie
people of the area. A walk around Lake Guthridge to the Sale Common
boardwalks reveals numerous plants and birds which were sources of food
and other important raw materials.
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Knob Reserve (Stratford)
Access is permitted; there is an interpretive sign
on site. Turn off the Princess Highway at the sign situated at the
western end of Stratford township. |
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On the bluff high above a bend in the Dooyeedang
(Avon River) axe heads were sharpened on the sandstone grinding stones.
The deep grooves, which may still be easily observed, are a reminder of
the ancestors who have visited this place for centuries. When the
stones were ready they were bound with kangaroo sinew to a handle of supple
wood which had been treated in a fire to harden it. Down by the river
people fished for eels, bream, flathead and prawns which were an important
part of the food supply. Spears, nets and hooks made from kangaroo
bone were used to catch the fish.
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Den of Nargun
(Mitchell
River National Park)
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According to Gunai (Kurnai) legends,
the Nargun is a large female creature who lives in a cave behind a waterfall
in the Mitchell River. Stories were told around campfires about how
the Nargun would abduct children who wandered off on their own. The
Nargun could not be harmed with boomerang or spears. These stories
served the dual purpose of keeping children close to the campsite and ensuring
that people stayed away from the sacred cave. The Den of Nargun was
a special place for women and may have been used for women's initiation
and learning ceremonies. The walk into the Den takes approximately
15 minutes each way, or 45 minutes as a circuit walk via the Mitchell River.
Note that there are some steep sections along the walk. |
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Krowathunkooloong
- the Keeping
Place
(Bairnsdale west)
The Keeping Place is located at the western end of
Bairnsdale. Signposts clearly indicate at the foot of the hill where
to turn off the Princes Highway. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to
5pm. Group bookings may be made on 03 5152 1891. |
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This is a museum housing a collection of artifacts,
art and information where visitors can learn about the history, heritage
and culture of Koorie East Gippsland. The display includes shields
with traditional markings, boomerangs, bark canoes, baskets, videos and
an exhibition of contemporary Koorie art. There are staff members
on hand to answer questions.
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Howitt Park
(Bairnsdale east)
The Park is located beside the Princes Highway at
the eastern end of Bairnsdale, across the Mitchell River. It has
a range of facilities for the motoring traveller.
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When the golden wattles were in bloom it told the
people that it was time to harvest the eels which were plentiful and fat
at that time of year. Some of the women put finishing touches on
baskets woven from cumbungi reeds. These were used for collecting
fruit, roots and mussels. The baskets were very durable and could
last for up to one hundred years. On a small rise overlooking Wahyand
(Mitchell River) the men made a canoe. The 4m long scar made when
the bark was peeled away can still be seen on the tree in Howitt Park. It
is believed that this tree is approximately 170 years old.
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Legend Rock
(Metung)
 Turn off the Princes Highway at Swan Reach
and follow the Tambo River; well signposted. |
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The Legend Rock, an important part of Gunai (Kurnai)
mythology, lies in shallow water by the shore of Bancroft Bay, opposite
the Metung Yacht Club. There are several variations of the story
of the rocks, but the common theme is that the rocks are a group of hunters
who were turned into stone for breaching tribal law by not sharing food
they had caught. There were originally three rocks in the formation
at Metung. Two were destroyed during road construction works along
the shore of Bancroft Bay in the 1960s. This last rock is protected
under the Heritage Act of Victoria.
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Buchan Caves
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Traditionally Koorie people did not venture deep
into the limestone caves at Buchan. There were, however, many stories
about the wicked and mischievous Nyols which lived in the caves below the
earth. The Koorie people inhabited caves in the Buchan region over
18,000 years ago, which is well before the last Ice Age (approx. 12,000
years ago). Tribal memories of that time may be detected in the story
which concerns a group of children who inhabited this area when there was
known to be a land south of Gippsland where there is now sea (ie Tasmania).
When playing they found a sacred object which they took home and, against
traditional law, showed to the women. Immediately the earth crumbled
away and it was all water and many people were drowned.
Staff at
Buchan Caves run regular tours into the caves throughout the year. There
is an attractive caravan park within the Park boundary.
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Burnt Bridge Reserve Located down a signposted turn-off
from the Princes
Highway between Lakes Entrance and Nowa Nowa, the Reserve is situated adjacent
to land belonging to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust. A display centre
on site provides information about Lake Tyers.
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On 24th July 1971 the Victorian Government handed
the title deeds for Lake Tyers Aboriginal reserve over to a committee of
community representatives and Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust was formed.
This was the first successful Aboriginal Land Rights claim in Australia's
history.
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Cape Conran
Turn south off the Princes Highway at Orbost to Marlo.
From there take the Conron Road east to the Cape.
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The viewing platform at Salmon Rock
is built above an Aboriginal shell midden; the top layer is visible.
A shell midden denotes a special site or meeting place where people have
gathered regularly for many generations to feast, celebrate and perform
ceremonies. Middens in East Gippsland have been dated at over 10,000
years old. Even today, Cape Conran remains a special place for the
Koorie people of the area to visit throughout the year.
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