By Welcome to Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future
palawa Country
palawa are the original peoples of lutruwita - Australia’s island state of ‘Tasmania’ - their homelands for time immemorial. All of lutruwita is palawa Country but the magnificent wukalina (Mt William National Park) and larapuna (Bay of Fires) in North East lutruwita are of special cultural significance to the First Australians.
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Contemporary palawa culture is strongly tied to the east coast of lutruwita (Tasmania), as well as the Furneaux Islands located in the east of Bass Strait. Local palawa culture and stories are defined and linked to this landscape. By walking the east coast, you can discover the palawa story.
wukalina Walk About Us No Sound by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
Let’s take a look.
Meet the Guides of the wukalina Walk by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
A traditional Welcome to Country
Before walking on Country and hearing its stories, wukalina Walk visitors cleanse their body with the smoke of native leaves in a traditional Welcome ceremony. This smoke then drifts across the land and advises the ancestral spirits that "we are now on Country".
wukalina Walk About Us No Sound by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
A unique culture
palawa culture is distinct from mainland Australian Aboriginal cultures. palawa people are the only group of humans to evolve in isolation for over 10,000 years, when the seas rose cutting Tasmania off from the mainland, creating a distinctly different culture and heritage.
Clapstick making as part of the wukalina Walk by wukalina WalkOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: wukalina Walk
palawa kani language
palawa kani is a composite language. It has been carefully constructed from words salvaged from the 14 languages originally spoken in lutruwita. It’s creation is an ongoing project of the palawa kani Language Program.
Meet the Guides of the wukalina Walk by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
"Our Old People have roamed and hunted here for a long long time."
Coastal bush food at wukalina by wukalina WalkOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: wukalina Walk
As palawa kani is a unique language of lutruwita, distinctive rules apply. Capital letters, are generally only used for people’s names and the names of family/Ancestral collectives. Place names aren’t capitalised and capitals are not used at the beginning of sentences.
wukalina Walk About Us No Sound by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
wukalina and larapuna region
The North East of Tasmania is rich in natural beauty and is a wild and abundant paradise. Long beaches, rugged coastlines and five national parks create a unique coastal experience.
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This region features sparkling granite boulders covered with bright orange lichen, long sandy beaches and clear, blue seas
[Navigate around and explore the unique landscape.]
wukalina Walk About Us No Sound by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
The wukalina region is as significant ecologically as it is culturally. It is vital to the conservation of Tasmania's coastal heathlands and dry plant life. In the spring and summer the region’s open grasslands are ablaze with fields of wildflowers in bloom.
Bennetts Wallabies at wukalina by wukalina WalkOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: wukalina Walk
There is an amazing diversity of animals too, including rare Forester kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, Tasmanian devils, Bennetts wallabies and pademelons.
Meet the Guides of the wukalina Walk by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
larapuna (Bay of Fires)Original Source: The wukalina Walk
The larapuna region is dominated by the magnificent Bay of Fires - known around the world for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. The bay is ringed with spectacular bright orange rocks set against white sands and turquoise waters.
wukalina Walk About Us by The wukalina WalkOriginal Source: The wukalina Walk
Did you know the Bay wasn't named for the bright orange rocks? Watch and find out the true history behind its name.
Coastal landscape of wukalina by wukalina WalkOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: wukalina Walk
palawa Country is just one of over 260 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups across Australia. Continue your journey learning about Aboriginal cultures with Welcome to Country.
Created in collaboration with the wukalina Walk
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