Learm more about this artwork
2012 > April

Interactive Map

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Come and have a look at Country with me! See some of our special places and sites. In the future as we continue to expand this map you will be able to fly along the coast and inland to follow song-lines and migration paths, exploring stories of Country and communities.

Some instructions for exploring …

  • Click on our markers to visit features and special places. Click again and then zoom to get a closer look.
  • Click on the map markers in the upper left corner to move the map around, make it larger or move in closer to places.
  • Click “Earth” in the upper right corner to see the map in 3D (download Google Earth Plug-in if needed).
  • Explore for markers up and down the coast and inland from Byron Bay and find out what’s there (this option is currently not available and is being researched and developed).
  • Follow any song-lines and annual migration paths you might see, such as whales travelling past Byron Bay to Hervey Bay in Queensland to the north and returning to Antarctica (this option is currently not available and is being researched and developed).

It’s early days in developing the Map so come back and visit again – we are sure there will be more to see.

Bush Rules

Binungal! (Stop! Look! Listen!)

By being on Country watching, listening and learning – we can get to know this Country, respect and use it wisely, and understand how to look after Country.

When we are in Country we follow some basic bush rules and we invite you to follow them too, especially if you are visiting our cultural sites.

  • Absorb what is around you and keep voices to a minimum
  • Keep to tracks and leave plants and animals where they are
  • Where fishing is allowed only catch what you need
  • If you find one of our middens please don’t touch them
  • Please respect our sacred sites if you know them or where they are
  • Remember to look after country so that it can look after us

Yoway! Thank you!

Dolphin (Wajung)
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is an important totem for our people. Wajoong gives us messages about relationships between our clan members, to our ancestors and the past, and also to particular places and sites in our Country. We have stories of our people and dolphins communicating and connecting with each other, including co-operative fishing, sharing resources from the ocean, and playing in the shallows. Sea Eagle (Miwing)
White Breasted Sea Eagle (Haliaetus leucogaster) is an important totem for us. Miwing gives us messages about clan and family groups, provides knowledge on hunting practices and environmental events on Country. The second largest raptor (bird of prey), you can see the majestic Miwing soaring above you as you walk along Tallow Beach or around the Cape. Carpet Snake (Kabul)
Carpet Snake (Morelia spilota) as one of our key totems symbolises the relationship of clan members to each other, to our ancestors and the past, and to particular places or sites. Kabul are important to us for their conservation, wild resource and other cultural values. Brush Turkey (Wollum)
Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) is a messenger providing clues about and demonstrating knowledge and adaptability in knowing and using Country. Wollum lives and moves freely in the coastal bush, foraging through leaf litter for food to eat. The male builds large mounds out of vegetative material and uses it to incubate their eggs. Pied Oystercatcher (language name?)
Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) is an important bird to us because they provide messages about food sources and environmental events in Country. The Pied forages on the beaches and rocky shores, in mudflats of inlets, bays, ocean beaches, and on offshore islets. Green Turtle (Bijahlin)
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is an important messenger that provides knowledge of the sea Country. Biwing nests on north coast beaches including Tallow Beach and Lennox Heads to the south. Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) supports significant populations of the Biwing and if you go snorkeling or diving there, you can have a close encounter with these graceful creatures.