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It was a day back in the year 17,000 BC give or take a few
centuries, long before the planning of the pyramids or the building
of the Great Wall of China, in this continent we love, called
Australia aboriginal artists from the Ngamadjidji people gathered in
rock shelters in the heart of an ancient wind chiselled escarpment.
 They wanted to leave a permanent record of their presence, creating
a pattern of hand stencils on cave walls and drawing images of
themselves hunting ‘roos and celebrating their spirituality through
dance and song.
Mixing ochre and water in his mouth one of the men would place his
hand over a cave wall - he would spray out the mixture then remove
his hand, leaving a vivid outline. In other shelters men would draw
long, powerful lines, which held a deeply religious meaning to teach
essential beliefs to the yet unborn.
Local Aboriginal people, including the Jardwadjali
and Djab Wurrung people, attribute stories and meaning to the area
they call Gariwerd (Grampians). Evidence of these ancient Aboriginal
custodians and their dreamtime stories endures today in more than
4000 different motifs within 60 rock art sites identified in the
Grampians National Park.
Home to Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Gariwerd
continues to be an area of unique cultural significance with 80
percent of Aboriginal art sites of Victoria located in the park.
Visit several of these sites, including the Manja and Billimina
shelters in the western Grampians and Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja
shelters in the north. For further information about Aboriginal
culture in the Grampians visit Brambuk the National Park and
Cultural Centre in Halls Gap.
Today, walking amongst the same ancient rocks with the spirits of
these first inhabitants it is impossible not to be imbued with the
presence of those first tribesmen. That continuity of spirit is an
inexorable part of aboriginal life today and after a day or two
soaking in the calming atmosphere you will find take away with you a
peace, a life changing evaluation that will leave you wanting to
come back to be in the heart of things.
The earliest non-indigenous explorer was Major Thomas Mitchell,
who spied the saw-toothed silhouette of the Grampians Ranges during
an expedition to map the course of the Darling River to the north.
Within several decades, industrious new settlers had transformed
much of the bushland surrounding the ranges into arable farming
country and established large sheep stations. Tourists were quick to
realise the remarkable nature of this region, and the first intrepid
groups began arriving only about 10 years after the discovery of
gold in the late 1880s.
Visitation to the Grampians has grown steadily ever since, and
it's no wonder considering the remarkable scenery and diverse flora
and fauna. There are over 970 native plant species in the ranges and
some of these only grow naturally in the Grampians. The region's
profusion of wildflowers brings the bush alive with colour every
spring. Their beauty is complemented by the abundance of kangaroos,
possums, echidnas and reptiles, as well as the more illusive
bandicoots and sugar gliders. The Grampians National Park is home to
an astounding 35 species of mammals, about 40 percent of those
identified in Victoria. There are also more than 200 bird species at
home here. Stay keen-eyed and tread quietly if you want to see them.
Arriving in the Grampians there is a welcoming village, Halls Gap
the heart of the Grampians, located in a valley, an opening in the
mountain range, through which the first European settlers hacked and
sliced their way through the centre.
Beyond the township, about three kilometres south, the National
Park Visitor centre provides permanent displays and film of history
and present day conditions. Educational talks for school and study
groups provide ongoing interest in maintaining the wealth of
knowledge already obtained. Brambuk Living Cultural Centre
adjoining, covers aboriginal culture history and development, a
fascinating subject.
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