Bataluk Cultural Trail

Aspects of Koorie Life.

Scarred trees

Scarred trees occurred when Aboriginal people, the Gunaikurnai, removed a slab of bark from a tree for various reasons such as to make bark canoes, shields, infant carriers, bowls and gunyahs (bark huts). Toe holds were cut into trees to make them easier to climb. This enabled the climber to reach higher in the trees to use them for look-outs and to hunt possums or collect bee hives.

To remove the bark the Aboriginal people would use stone axes to cut an outline of the shape they wanted to remove. The bark was then levered off in one big piece. If the bark ever broke or was split it would be useless, so great care and skill was required. After the bark had been removed, the bark sheet would be heated over the fire to allow it to be easily shaped.

There is a high concentration of Koori sites in Gippsland.We ask that you treat all sites along the Trail with respect and care. Please remember it is an offence under the Heritage Act to tamper with or remove anything from any aboriginal site.

Maps

Bataluk Cultural Trail
Clan areas on the Bataluk Cultural Trail
View Larger Map

Contact

Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative
37 - 53 Dalmahoy Street
Bairnsdale
Tel: (03) 5152 1891

Visitor Information Centres Orbost  (03) 5154 2424
Lakes Entrance  (03) 5155 1966
Bairnsdale  (03) 5152 3444
Maffra  (03) 5141 1811
Sale  1800 677 520

Sites

  1. white woman's waterhole
    won wron state reserve
  2. the lagoon
    sale common state game reserve
  3. the knob reserve
    stratford
  4. ramahyuck cemetery
    perry bridge
  5. den of nargun
    mitchell river national park
  6. krowathunkooloong keeping place
    bairnsdale
  7. howitt park
    bairnsdale
  8. legend rock
    metung
  9. buchan caves
    buchan
  10. burnt bridge reserve
    lake tyers forest park
  11. salmon rock and gunai boardwalk
    cape conran

 

Please treat all sites along the trail with respect and care to ensure they are preserved for future generations.