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Aboriginal Rock Art

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Where is the best?
13 years ago, February 6th 2011 No: 1 Msg: #128328  
I have been doing some research in to visiting all different parts of Australia, in each part you have amazing things to see and do at the coast, the country and the outback.

When you look at tourism websites for all of the different parts of Australia, Queensland, New South Wales etc each one talks about their Aboriginal Art in the outback as an amazing place to visit, but which is the best?

Kimberley, Western Australia? Nourlangie, Northern Territory?

I've found atleast five different places so far and don't want to travel to the outback to visit all of them just to see the same thing each time.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated? Reply to this

13 years ago, February 6th 2011 No: 2 Msg: #128329  
I don't know if it's the 'best' place to see Aboriginal rick art in Oz but Ubirr in Kakadu National Park in the NT had loads and it was pretty damn spectacular... In my opinion anyway!

Also the Top End is sadly well off the usual route for most visitors, which is a shame as it's great but awesome for selfish reasons as you'll be the only people standing there looking at it!

Here's some examples from when we went but bear in mind this is a tiny tiny tiny fraction if what is there to see....

Mike




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13 years ago, February 6th 2011 No: 3 Msg: #128330  
Those pictures look great, thanks for the info. I've read about Ubirr, did you visit many different places in Kakadu National Park? Reply to this

13 years ago, February 6th 2011 No: 4 Msg: #128334  
We spent three days two nights in the park which was easy as we had our own camper and it's all free... I think we saw most of what it has to offer, we even ventured onto Arheim Land to buy some authentic art from an Aboriginal community. We needed a permit to do this though. We also took a very early morning cruise on yellow water which was ace. Reply to this

13 years ago, February 6th 2011 No: 5 Msg: #128336  
Just read your blog, sounds like an awesome trip! :-) Reply to this

13 years ago, February 7th 2011 No: 6 Msg: #128411  
B Posts: 460
Would second Ubirr.

Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland also has a good selection, though mainly of the "hand stencil" variety. Reply to this

13 years ago, February 11th 2011 No: 7 Msg: #128817  
B Posts: 897
Unfortunately not easy to get into but Oenpelli in Arnhem land has some awesome rock art...theres a nice selection that are easy to get to at the Bungles and some at Cape Levique in the far north of WA - Geikie gorge also has some but again, very difficult to get to. Ubirr is special, loved time up there and around Kakadu living in NT years ago. Reply to this

13 years ago, February 13th 2011 No: 8 Msg: #128971  
It has been a long time since my visit to Ubirr, but the art work there remains in my mind - very impressive. Have not been to the other places you mentioned Cindy, what would be your second choice - Oenpelli?

One hint re Ubirr, visit there near sunset as the views at that time are beautiful. But remember to bring mosquito repellent, as once the sun sets the insects come out in force.
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13 years ago, February 14th 2011 No: 9 Msg: #129046  
Thanks for the advice guys, think our minds are made up now, Ubirr sounds great! Reply to this

13 years ago, February 16th 2011 No: 10 Msg: #129225  
B Posts: 897
Actually Shane, sadly while Oenpelli has some awesome hidden rock art..it has a LOT of social problems and is really not a place where its easy to be - its an aboriginal community in West Arnhem land - about 4km from Jabiru where the Arnhem Highway turns off to Ubirr, the Border Store, Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River and Oenpelli - in the wet season crossing Cahills crossing to get to Oenpelli is an adventure in itself. You need a permit from the northern land Council to cross the East Alligator River and onto Oenpelli. I only managed to get there as I have friends who run the nursing post and community water and power systems.

Its a wild and really really beautiful place for all the hassles involved in getting there - there is a landing strip.

I just found this bit of info where Oenpelli is open - Gunbalanya / Oenpelli is an Aboriginal community on the eastern border of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park at the base of the Arnhem Land escarpment. Being part of Arnhem Land, travellers wanting to visit Gunbalanya / Oenpelli require a permit before visiting. Permits can be obtained from the Injalak Art and Craft Centre. An open day is held annually in August or September, when travellers can visit freely and enjoy cultural activities without a permit. Its easily driveable for the day and the rock art at Injalak Hill is ...very quietly awesome and spiritual.

Totally agree on the insect factor - and the oops theres an Oenpelli Python stuck in the shower moments are great. Most of the locals can tell you where to swim and where not to swim..even though they call it the east alligator river and there are no alligators..theres "Friend of Alligator" waiting to see you aplenty in the waterholes around the area.



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12 years ago, March 30th 2011 No: 11 Msg: #132342  
Gosh thats absolutely incredible. I cant wait to begin my australia trip and visit places like this. Thanks for all the really interesting posts everyone.

Ben Reply to this

12 years ago, July 23rd 2011 No: 12 Msg: #140802  
The most amazing aboriginal art we've seen is in remote Arnhem land where we were lucky enough to have one of the traditional owners with us. Should be on your bucket list! Reply to this

12 years ago, December 30th 2011 No: 13 Msg: #149573  
* This is a favourite 2011 TravelBlog discussion. If you have seen some good discussions in 2011, add them to the following thread. 😊

Your 2011 TravelBlog favourites Reply to this

11 years ago, June 22nd 2012 No: 14 Msg: #157920  
just don't get excited about the cave paintings at Nara Inlet in the Whitsundays. Reply to this

11 years ago, July 20th 2012 No: 15 Msg: #158983  

In response to: Msg #128328

Well you can try this app, it has some information about where to visit and a suggested itinerary
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/explorers-way-australias-ultimate/id530047434?mt=8 Reply to this

11 years ago, September 9th 2012 No: 16 Msg: #160836  
Ubirr (Kakadu) is accessible and has a great cross section of art including Xray, depiction of culture and laws. See our blog on Kakadu. We are now on The Cape and going to see the Nugal Rock Art sites at Hope Vale, apparently they are also very good. Mike and Trish V.
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