This June long weekend the community is invited to join the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) celebration of the 30th anniversary of Gundabooka National Park in far western NSW just south of Bourke.
This anniversary celebration is an opportunity to come together on Country, honouring the significant cultural history of the location with the re-opening of the Yapa (Mulgowan) art site within the park.
Visitors to this event will be some of the first to enjoy the new Yapa viewing platform, designed to enhance visitor experience while also supporting the ongoing care and protection of this important cultural site.
Beginning at 10am on Saturday 6 June at the Yapa (Mulgowan) art site picnic area and concluding at 2pm, the event will be a celebration of three decades of conservation, cultural heritage protection and connection to Country.
Featuring ancient paintings of animals, dancers, hand stencils and hunting tools, the art site is particularly significant for the Ngemba and Paakandji People.
Guided walking tours of the art site and surrounding creek-line will be led by local Traditional Owners, who will share cultural teachings about the area, its historical use and the significance of local trees and landscape features. The tours will offer visitors a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical and natural values that make Gundabooka such a significant place.
Following the morning formalities, morning team will be served followed by a community lunch later in the day, accompanied by a special dance performance by the Maranguka (pronounced: ma-ra-nu-ka) dancers, celebrating culture and storytelling through movement.
Gundabooka National Park is renowned for its striking sandstone ranges, rich Aboriginal cultural heritage and diverse western NSW landscapes. For 30 years, the park has been protected for conservation while remaining a place of ongoing cultural connection and shared management.
Quotes attributed to NPWS Area Manager Melissa Hams:
"For 30 years, Gundabooka National Park has protected extraordinary landscapes and cultural heritage, and we're proud to celebrate that milestone with the community on Country.
"The re-opening of the Yapa (Mulgowan) art site is a significant moment, ensuring this important cultural place continues to be cared for and respected for generations to come.
"This anniversary is about recognising the strong partnership with Traditional Custodians and reflecting on the shared future of Gundabooka National Park."
