For the past 30 years, Gundabooka National Park has protected extraordinary landscapes and cultural heritage, and that milestone was proudly marked recently with a community celebration.
Gundabooka National Park, south of Bourke, is renowned for its striking sandstone ranges, rich Aboriginal cultural heritage and diverse western NSW landscapes.
For 30 years, the park has been protected for conservation while remaining a place of ongoing cultural connection and shared management.
As part of the celebrations on June 6, the Yapa (Mulgowan) art site within the park site was re-opened.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Melissa Hams said it was a significant moment and will ensure this important cultural place continues to be cared for and respected for generations to come.
“This anniversary is about recognising the strong partnership with Traditional Custodians and reflecting on the shared future of Gundabooka National Park,” Ms Hams said.
The community was invited to join in the NSW NPWS celebrations with visitors able to enjoy the new Yapa viewing platform, designed to enhance visitor experience while also supporting the ongoing care and protection of this important cultural site.
The event was a celebration of three decades of conservation, cultural heritage protection and connection to Country.
Featuring ancient paintings of animals, dancers, hand stencils and hunting tools, the art site is particularly significant for the Ngemba and Paakandji People.
Guided walking tours of the art site and surrounding creek-line were led by local Traditional Owners, who shared cultural teachings about the area, its historical use and the significance of local trees and landscape features.
The tours offered visitors a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical and natural values that make Gundabooka such a significant place.
Among the guests was Cobar’s Rick Ohlsen, who was the first NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Field Officer to work on Gundabooka National Park.
