Royal National Park

royal-national-park.jpgCreated in 1879, Royal National Park is the world’s second oldest national park. The sixteen thousand hectare park is located just thirty-two kilometers south of Sydney, making it a perfect day trip for those tired of Sydney’s urban excitement.

One of the most popular places in the park is Audley, a remnant of the Victorian era when picnicking and carriage rides in the park were popular. The grassy parklands located on the riverside are full of beautiful willow trees, and are the perfect place to relax and picnic. Different types of boats can be rented and taken out onto the water, a fabulous way to enjoy this area of the park. Also at Audley are the dance hall and the picnic pavilion, both Victorian-era buildings that have been lovingly restored. One of the original carriage tracks, the Lady Carrington Drive is a popular place for walkers and cyclists.

Fishing is another popular activity, with fishing available along the coastline and in the Hacking River estuary. Be sure to obtain a valid fishing license prior to your arrival. Surfing and swimming are also enjoyed in the park, just be sure to check with Harbourwatch to ensure pollution levels are safe. For those looking for a more private, secluded beach, take the Werrong Beach Track to the park’s only nude sunbathing area.

The Dharawal people were the first to inhabit the area now protected as the Royal National Park, and for those wanting to know more about the Dharawal’s history and culture, Discovery tours are available that explore the ways that the Dharawal people survived off the land. Tours of Dharawal rock engravings are also available at Jibbon Point.

Camping is available in many places in the park, and the park service also rents out a unique three bedroom cabin located right on the Hacking River. Day passes are required for park use and cost $11 per vehicle.


Aboriginal Galleries in New South Wales

New South Wales is home to many wonderful Aboriginal museums and art galleries.  Here are a few that you’ll want to check out while in the area.

With one of the largest collections of Aboriginal art in the country, the Yiribana Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gallery is a must see when visiting Sydney.  Meaning “this way,” Yiribana’s highlights include seventeen pukumani grave posts, artifacts and birch paintings from Arnhem Land, and works by Australia’s leading Aboriginal artists, both past and present.

Also in Sydney, at Darling Harbour, is the Gavala Aboriginal Gallery, an Aboriginal-owned gallery and store.  Here you can purchase Aboriginal art from across Australia, including paintings, carvings, boomerangs and didgeridoos.  You’ll also find a good selection of books at the store.  Near the Port Stephens area is the Tobwabba Art Gallery and Studio, where twenty-two Aboriginal artists are showcased.  They style here differs greatly from traditional Aboriginal art, as these “contemporary coastal” artists blend modern and traditional images and use rich, vibrant colours.

The Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Center in western Sydney provides an incredible learning experience.  Although primarily focused on the Darug people, the museum also reflects the diversity of Aboriginal groups across Australia.  Dancers perform at the outdoor amphitheatre, and tour guides demonstrate such activities as playing the didgeridoo and using a boomerang.  The café features traditional Aboriginal bush tucker.

South of Sydney is the Umbarra Cultural Centre where visitors can learn about the Yuin people.  Tours of sacred areas can be taken both by four-wheel-drive and also on a boat cruise on Wallaga Lake.  There are many activities that visitors can participate in, including body painting with ochre, throwing the boomerang, building bark shelters, and listening to local stories.

Finally, if you are in the Pokolbin area, you might wish to visit Biame, based in the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens.  Although they primarily sell authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts, there are also opportunities to take informative tours of the center and also of the local Wollemi National Park.