Gadigal Country: The Hidden History & Culture of Sydney
The Rocks and Royal Botanic Gardens, New South Wales
By Welcome to Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future
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Sydney Harbour Sunset and Evening Compile Selects (2020) by Destination NSWOriginal Source: Destination NSW Content Library
The Gadigal People of the Eora Nation (Eora meaning ‘here’ or ‘from this place’) are the Traditional Owners and knowledge holders of the land now called Sydney - Australia's largest both in size and population. The Gadigal People are the knowledge holders of this Country, understanding the history, culture, ecology, stories and songlines of this unique region.
Sydney Harbour Aerial (2020) by Daniel TranOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Port Jackson and extends to the Blue Mountains in the west, to the Hawkesbury in the north and to the Royal National Park in the south.
Sydney Harbour Sunset and Evening Compile Selects (2020) by Destination NSWOriginal Source: Destination NSW Content Library
Sydney Harbour is at the heart of the city. Clustered around the harbour are some of Australia’s most iconic attractions, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Royal Botanic Gardens on the city foreshore.
Sydney Harbour Bridge (2019) by Kurt TilseOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the largest steel arch bridge in the world, spanning 503m and connecting the CBD to the North Sydney. Opened in 1932, the bridge took eight years to construct, using 53,000 tonnes of steel and six-million hand-driven rivets.
Jacarandas, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (2018) by Destination NSWOriginal Source: Destination NSW Content
Equally famous is the Sydney Opera House, the UNESCO World Heritage listed building, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, which opened in 1973. It floats graciously on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, known to the local Gadigal people as Tubowgule.
Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House (2010) by Tourism Australia/Grainger FilmsOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Video Gallery
Together these landmarks form an iconic duo, famous in photographs the world over, but behind them lies a secret history - the Gadigal history and culture of Sydney. Both rich and vibrant, Gadigal culture can be found even today in the heart of the city.
Join Aunty Margret Campbell and Renee Cawthorne for an introduction to Gadigal Country and Culture.
Aunty Margret Campbell (2018) by Destination NSWOriginal Source: Destination NSW Content
Meet Aunty Margret Campbell, a Dunghutti woman and cultural custodian. To spend time with Aunty Margret or Muughi is to understand the living wisdom and relevance of her ancestor's blueprint and the ways the Dreamtime continues to shape and influence belonging to the land.
Aunty Margret Campbell showcasing Country (2018) by Archie SartracomOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
"I"m a teacher, a story Elder... the stories are everywhere in our landscape." - Aunty Margret Campbell
Journey to The Rocks and hear some of Aunty Margret's teachings about cultural connection to Gadigal Country.
Meet Aunty Margret Campbell (2020) by Welcome to Country, Dreamtime Southern XOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour
Everything has a story. Explore how stories are connected to the landscape and why we acknowledge the ancient custodians when welcoming guests to this 'saltwater' Country.
Aunty Margret Campbell with Clapsticks under the Harbour Bridge (2017) by Dreamtime Southern XOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
Aunty Margret uses clapsticks as a ceremonial acknowledgement of Mother Earth and all that she gives. "When we do this behaviour, we're actually saying, Mother Earth we acknowledge your heartbeat and we want to talk about your gift of the landscape."
Sydney is surrounded by five river systems. Discover the significance of these waterways to the Gadigal peoples.
The Gadigal People have a relationship with everything in the natural world. Country communicates messages of the past and teachings for the future to its Aboriginal peoples.
Renee Cawthorne, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (2020) by Welcome to Country, Royal Botanic Garden SydneyWelcome to Country
Meet Renee Cawthorne, a Wiradjuri woman and the Manager of Aboriginal Education and Engagement at Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens educating visitors on the rich culture of Aboriginal Peoples and the history of Gadigal Country.
Join Renee as she shares some of the cultural significance of Sydney's native flora.
"Bujari gamarruwa"
"Welcome" to the Royal Botanic Gardens on Gadigal Country.
Royal Botanic Gardens aerial in the morning (2012) by Destination NSWOriginal Source: Destination NSW Content
On the eastern fridge of Sydney's CBD lies 30 hectares of Cookaroo (or Cockaroo), the Royal Botanic Gardens. Opened in 1816, it's the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world.
The Opera House from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (2013) by Destination NSWOriginal Source: Destination NSW Content
The site of the gardens is Farm Cove or Wahganmuggalee (or Woccanmagully) to the Gadigal People, who used the cove as an initiation ground - and is where the "Kangaroo and Dog Dance" was traditionally performed.
Meet Renee Cawthorne (2020) by Welcome to Country, Royal Botanic Garden SydneyWelcome to Country
The Gadigal People have an intrinsic and very special connection to the land and particularly this plant - the Grass Tree or Xanthorrhoea tree.
Renee Cawthorn Explores the Paper Bark Tree (2020) by Welcome to Country, Royal Botanic Garden SydneyWelcome to Country
The Paperbark Tree is a very special tree with many significant uses for the Gadigal People, including cooking and even medicinal purposes.
Grass Tree (2021) by Welcome to CountryOriginal Source: Welcome to Country
Keep exploring Country
Gadigal Country is just one of over 260 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups across Australia. Continue your journey learning about Aboriginal culture with Welcome to Country.
Created in collaboration with:
- Aunty Margret Campbell and Dreamtime Southern X
- Renee Cawthorne and the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
