Overview
Aboriginal people have had an association with the Grampians for more than 30,000 years. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, the land is at the centre of creation stories for many of the Aboriginal communities in south-western Victoria. Discoveries of Indigenous Australian artefacts in the region include ancient oven mounds, scatterings of stone left over from tool making, and ancient rock art sites.
Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre
Visit Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap to see fascinating displays of art and artefacts, learn about what the heritage-listed landscape of Gariwerd means to the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung peoples, and gather information about activities within the park.
While the award-winning cultural centre building is closed temporarily for upgrades, the Brambuk Information Centre (entry building) remains open for park information, cafe, souvenirs, map sales and interpretive displays. A series of self-guided walks through a wetland and native gardens links the entry building, and the cultural centre and provides a glimpse of the native plants and animals of Gariwerd.
Look up at the building's wonderful undulating roof, which represents the wings of a cockatoo and the mountains of Gariwerd.
Extraordinary rock art
The region has the largest number of rock art sites in southern Australia – more than 80 per cent of Victoria's rock art sites. Approximately 60 art sites, containing more than 4,000 different motifs have been identified in the national park.
Five shelters are open to the public and are all easily accessible: Manja and Billimina shelters in the Western Grampians, Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja shelters in the north and, one of the most important sites in Victoria, Bunjils shelter, near Stawell.
