Our mob, the Bundjalung of Byron Bay – Arakwal Bumberlin people, have lived in the coastal landscape around the Byron Bay area for at least 22,000 years. We are one of over 500 Aboriginal tribes that co-habited Australia before European occupation. We are the recognised Aboriginal Traditional Custodians of the Byron Bay district. Arakwal Country extends from Seven Mile Beach south of Broken Head to the Brunswick River up north, out to the escarpment west of Byron Bay, and east out into the Tasman Sea. Click map to see a larger one.

Arakwal people lived in this area for thousands of years before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people. Our families continued to live here when non-Aboriginal people moved into the area, often under great pressure, and finding it more difficult to live on, and look after our traditional lands. 

We are proud to have been able to survive the challenges so far along with other Aboriginal people in Australia. We really appreciate people who understand this struggle and support us in our efforts. Yoway!

Around and beyond this area, Country is looked after by other Aboriginal traditional owners with which we have had close and interconnected relations for a long time. Byron Bay (Cavenbah) has always been an important meeting place for the Arakwal, neighbouring clans and people of the Bundjalung nation. Our people, together with neighbouring tribes and clans, make up part of the wider Bundjalung Nation. This nation extends to Grafton and the mighty Clarence River in the south, up north past Tweed River to the Nerang River in southern Queensland, and out west towards the Great Dividing Range.

Our timeline  Check out this timeline that gives you an idea of what has been happening for us, and shows some of our family connections to this country. It goes from a long time back right up until recently … it shows the connection we’ve had with this place long before the coming of Europeans and others, including well-known seafarer, Captain James Cook. And we are still working away at looking after and reconnecting our people with their place. The timeline is part of a pamphlet prepared by the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.

Click here to download a PDF of the Timeline Pamphlet

Since 2001 the Arakwal people have entered into three Indigenous Land Use Agreements with the New South Wales Government recognising our rights as Traditional Owners to lands and waters in and around Byron Bay within this area. Click here to read more.

Our ancestors have passed on traditions and cultural practices that are alive in us, their descendants, today. We retain a strong connection to our country, actively caring for and reconnecting our people to this place. We share our knowledge and culture with the wider community to help look after Country.

This Country and our language dialect corresponds closely to the language group Minyanbal on the Bundjalung tribal language area map here.  Our language is at times referred to as Arakwal-Minyanbal. Click on the map here to see a larger version.

Our Corporation

The Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) was established in 1996. Its members are our people. Strengthening our Aboriginal identity and culture, and ensuring our efforts accord with our cultural values, customs and practices are a major focus of the organisation. The corporation works in partnership with government, community groups, and business enterprises to protect and help manage the land and waters of our traditional Country, and to benefit our community through improved housing, health and wellbeing, and  training and work opportunities.  We focus on:

• Living and Working back on Country  - including indigenous resource and co-management agreements; dealing with Native Title matters; reviewing land-use plans, strategies and development proposals; involvement in Land and Coastcare activities; working and caring for Arakwal National Park and the Cape Byron Marine Park; developing affordable housing for our community.

• Maintaining Cultural Connection to Country - including revitalisation of cultural practices, developing and running cultural programs for our people and the wider community, as well as reconciliation activities and events.

• Business and economic development – including education, training and employment strategies, developing and supporting businesses and work for our people, housing and better services for our elders and community.

Learn More

We want everyone to respect, appreciate and value Arakwal Country. We invite you to stand with us to protect and support our values, understanding how we belong to Country, respecting and helping us care for Country.

“We want to see Country how it used to be. We want to continue to look after country and want it to look after us.  We want our people to be back on Country, caring for and using Country like we always have.  We want to share parts of our culture with the wider community so they learn about and respect Country like we do.  We want everybody to work together to keep Country clean and healthy.”

Aunties Lorna Kelly, Dulcie Nicholls and Linda Vidler, 2003.