There are places within a short drive from Bangalow that you can visit to learn about local Bundjalung culture. Once you start looking, you will discover that Bundjalung is present all around us, just waiting to be noticed, admired, and respected.

   Booyong Nature Reserve

Up until just 250 years ago, our whole district was covered with dense rainforest and huge trees. To get a feel for what became known as the Big Scrub, take a short drive west of Bangalow to the Booyong Flora and Nature Reserve on Booyong Road on Widjabul-Wiabal country. There you will find remnants on both sides of the road of the original rainforest through which Bundjalung people walked for millennia. Take the path down to the Wilsons River and look at the trees and the tangle of vines. Stop and listen to the whip birds. Just 100 metres from the gate nearest the bridge over the river is the giant 30m tall water gum tree. This awesome tree is on the National Big Tree Register.

Songlines Map at Coorabell Hall

Take a 10-minute drive from Bangalow along Coolamon Scenic Drive to Coorabell Hall, perched on the edge of the escarpment with sweeping views of the coast. On the outside wall is a fabulous mural painted by Bundjalung man Uncle Lewis Walker. Using mainly Bundjalung place names, it offers an aerial view of the coastal plains from Minjungbal country north of the Brunswick River, across Arakwal country, and down to Ballina across Nyanbul country south of Broken Head.

Broken Head Nature Reserve

Broken Head is a significant place to Arakwal people. Not only does the headland reserve contain many mythical sacred sites, it was the home of Arakwal Harry Bray and his family, the ancestors of many Arakwal people today. It was a place full of food, medicines, and materials to make tools, string, and fishing nets. Walk down the track to the headland, look out at the rocks, and learn about the Three Sisters dreaming story.

Currenba (The Pass)

Currenba means ‘gully’ and describes the area at The Pass in Byron Bay. There is a beautiful shady walk behind the carpark with signs full of information about Arakwal history. Arakwal and other Bundjalung people camped beside the beach, eating pipis collected from the wet sand, other shellfish, and fish. There you will find a midden, reminding us that Bundjalung people have sat and enjoyed their seafood (and the view) at this spot for over 1500 years.

Dorrobbee Grass Reserve

High on a hill on Frasers Road, just five minutes from the Dunoon General Store, is one of the last remaining managed native grass ‘islands’ in the Big Scrub. It sits right in the middle of Widjabul-Wiabal country and offers huge 360-degree views. It was a camping ground for Widjabul-Wiabal, a strategic place from which to see distant fires and approaching visitors. You can see the original Kangaroo Grass, which is still managed with a combination of traditional ‘fire stick burning’ and other land management practices.

Explore Byron Bay Tours

Bundjalung woman Delta Kay runs a Bush Tucker Tour right in town. Walk with Delta on a rainforest walk that ends in Piccabeen Park with a beautiful bush tucker spread. For information and bookings, go to explorebyronbay.com

Local Libraries

If you like to read, local libraries have collections of books and historical material about Bundjalung culture and history. Libraries include the Byron Bay Library, Southern Cross University Library in Lismore, and Ballina Library. You may have to ask the librarians for access to some local history material.