Take a guided journey through Gwoonwardu Mia and discover the rich cultures, histories and living traditions of the five Aboriginal language groups of the Gascoyne.This audio tour will lead you through key stories and displays in the Exhibition Gallery, sharing insights into language, Country, family, tools, food, astronomy, animals and important histories of the region. As you move through each stop, listen carefully, look closely and take time to reflect on the deep connections between people, place and culture.The stories shared here celebrate knowledge passed down through generations and honour the continuing strength, resilience and creativity of Aboriginal people across the Gascoyne.

Language Groups

This map shows the five language groups within the Gascoyne region, highlighting the incredible diversity of Aboriginal cultures in this area. Even within a few hours of travel, there are different groups, each within their own language, customs, stories, and lore. Right at the top in the purple we have Thalanyji, brown, Baiyungu, orange, Yingarrda, green, Thadgari, and red, Malgana. When we look across the whole Australia, we see thousands of distinct Aboriginal language groups. This diversity has shaped the many languages and dialects, and continues to connect people and their country and culture today

Aboriginal Men Gathering Together

I would like to share this photograph with you. It was taken in 1907 at the Gascoyne River, and shows a group of Aboriginal men gathered together. The men come from different language and cultural groups, which we know because some are wearing shells from the coast, showing connections to different country. If you look closely, you&#39;ll notice the ceremonial cuts on the men&#39;s bodies. These markings show that they had been initiated. Photographs like this remind us that family and communities would come together for special occasions, including celebrations such as Christmas. These gatherings strengthened family ties and cultural connections. This image is more than just a photograph. It tells a story of family, culture, and the strong connections that have been passed down through generations

Astronomy Dome

When we see the itchy, hairy caterpillars, we know it&#39;s time for the emus to lay their eggs. Our people have used this natural sign for generations to know the right time to go hunting for emu eggs. You can also see the emu in the night sky. Once the female lays her eggs, it&#39;s the male who stays behind to incubate the eggs and cares for the chicks after they hatch.

Mandu Mandu Necklace

This is a replica of the Mandu Mandu necklace. The original is held at the WA Museum and is around 32,000 years old. It was discovered near Exmouth on Baiyungu Country, about three hours from here, and is one of the oldest pieces of jewellery ever found anywhere in the world. These shells were worn as necklaces, armbands, and hair decorations. Before string was available, people used plant fibre or kangaroo tail sinew to thread the shells together. The small holes in the shells were naturally made by octopuses using a tongue-like organ with tiny teeth called a radula.

Tools

These are some of the traditional tools our people used in everyday life. The bailer shell was used to collect and store fresh water. It would be placed beneath a cave where water slowly dripped from the rock, and by the end of the day, the shell would often be full. Next is the stone flake cutter. These sharp stone tools were used for cutting meat, preparing animals, and carving wood. Not every type of stone was suitable for making tools, so people carefully selected the right stone for the job

Grinding Stones

Grinding stones were used to crush and grind a variety of foods, including seeds and berries. These tools were an important part of preparing foods and have been used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years.

Burrowing Bees

These are some of the largest native bees found in the region. Unlike honeybees, they don&#39;t have a queen and they don&#39;t make honey. The white bees are females and the brown bees are males. Although the females have a stinger, they are not aggressive and won&#39;t sting unless threatened. Our people would collect and eat the grub before the bees hatched. These bees appear between July and September and have a special life cycle. The male comes out first and waits for the female, with the male even competing for a chance to mate. The female bee prepares each nest cell by adding wax, filling it with nectar and pollen, laying an egg, and sealing it with mud. She can choose whether to fertilize the egg, which determines whether it becomes male or female.

Lock Hospital

Gascoyne River Creation

This is the Gascoyne River, the longest river in Western Australia. It&#39;s often called the upside-down river because water flows beneath the sandy riverbed, providing life to the surrounding plants and trees. This is where the desert meets the sea. Along the river, there are, three well-known waterholes, Rocky Pool, Tucker&#39;s Pump, and Chinaman&#39;s Pool. In Baiyungu language, the river is known as Mari, the snake, reflecting its winding path across the landscape. Yardi means river and Dunardi means ocean, showing the strong connection between the river, the sea, and country

Guided Tour

One story at a time.

The story continues.