For thousands of years Aboriginal people have lived in and have a long association with the Grampians or Gariwerd as they prefer to call it. Gariwerd is integral to the dreaming of the Gunditch-Mara, Kirrae Wurrung and Wotjobaluk indigenous Nations.
The National Park contains the largest concentration (60%) of rock art sites in Victoria, some of them dating from 22,000 years ago. Recent archaeoligical investigations have demonstrated that there was intensive Aboriginal occupation of Gariwerd. the draining of Lake Wartook (Werdug) in 1997 for maintenance works found 32 sites including grinding stones, hearth stones and anvils for flaking quartz pebbles. Other sites of Aboriginal significance found throughout the park include rock shelters, quarries, mounds, surface scatters and scarred trees. The following are a few of the popular and easy to get to rock art sites:
Top Aboriginal Art Sites
Gulgurn Manja Shelter (meaning 'Hands of Young People') Start from Hollow Mountain (Wudjub-Guyun) Carpark. Signs tell stories and legends of Jardwadjali people.
Ngamadjidj Shelter (meaning 'White Person') Start from Stapylton (Gunigalg) Campground. This is a suitable walk for people with limited mobility.
Billimina Shelter Loop Start from Buandik Campground. Follow the circuit walk along the creek up past the Jardwadjali (Buandik) Falls to the massive rock overhang with an array of art. Signs explain the Aboriginal use of the area.
These are significant Aborignal rock art sites. Please treat them with respect. For more information about local Aboriginal Heritage can be found at the Brambuk the National Park & Cultural Centre or you can pick up some park notes when you stay at the Asses Ears Wilderness Lodge
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