Darwin
arguably Australia's most cosmopolitan city, boasting a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds. The city's multicultural mix is particularly highlighted by its many exciting ethnic cultural festivals and weekly food and craft markets. Darwin's traditional owners, the Larrakia people, are prominent and active members of the community, and many still adhere closely to their traditional beliefs and customs. Darwin is a city comprising of a range of industries, however Government employees make up around 60 per cent of the Darwin workforce. Darwin has evolved from its days as an incredibly laid back frontier town and while it still retains its relaxed charm, it has become a highly sophisticated city. Many visitors are surprised to find that it has accommodation, eateries, clubs, pubs, museums and other amenities that are at least equal to, and often better than, what you'll find in the southern cities. In business and industry circles, Darwin is described as Australia's gateway with South East Asia. It's closer to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta than it is to Canberra and is about the same flying time from Singapore and Manila as it is from Sydney and Melbourne. Source: www.darwin.nt.gov.au
arguably Australia's most cosmopolitan city, boasting a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds. The city's multicultural mix is particularly highlighted by its many exciting ethnic cultural festivals and weekly food and craft markets. Darwin's traditional owners, the Larrakia people, are prominent and active members of the community, and many still adhere closely to their traditional beliefs and customs. Darwin is a city comprising of a range of industries, however Government employees make up around 60 per cent of the Darwin workforce. Darwin has evolved from its days as an incredibly laid back frontier town and while it still retains its relaxed charm, it has become a highly sophisticated city. Many visitors are surprised to find that it has accommodation, eateries, clubs, pubs, museums and other amenities that are at least equal to, and often better than, what you'll find in the southern cities. In business and industry circles, Darwin is described as Australia's gateway with South East Asia. It's closer to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta than it is to Canberra and is about the same flying time from Singapore and Manila as it is from Sydney and Melbourne. Source: www.darwin.nt.gov.au
Kakadu National Park
Unesco World Heritage
Located 240 kilometres east of Darwin in Australia’s tropical north, Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest terrestrial national park. Kakadu covers almost 20,000 square kilometres and is a place of enormous ecological and biological diversity. It extends from the coast and estuaries in the north through floodplains, billabongs and lowlands to rocky ridges and stone country in the south. These landscapes are home to a range of rare and endemic plants and animals, including more than one-third of Australia's bird species and one-quarter of its freshwater and estuarine fish species. Kakadu is considered a living cultural landscape. The traditional owners Bininj Mungguy have lived on and cared for this country for more than 50,000 years. Their deep spiritual connection to the land dates back to the Creation and has always been an important part of the Kakadu story. The extraordinary natural beauty and ancient cultural heritage of this land was recognised internationally in 1981 when it was first inscribed on the World Heritage list. Source: www.environment.gov.au
Unesco World Heritage
Located 240 kilometres east of Darwin in Australia’s tropical north, Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest terrestrial national park. Kakadu covers almost 20,000 square kilometres and is a place of enormous ecological and biological diversity. It extends from the coast and estuaries in the north through floodplains, billabongs and lowlands to rocky ridges and stone country in the south. These landscapes are home to a range of rare and endemic plants and animals, including more than one-third of Australia's bird species and one-quarter of its freshwater and estuarine fish species. Kakadu is considered a living cultural landscape. The traditional owners Bininj Mungguy have lived on and cared for this country for more than 50,000 years. Their deep spiritual connection to the land dates back to the Creation and has always been an important part of the Kakadu story. The extraordinary natural beauty and ancient cultural heritage of this land was recognised internationally in 1981 when it was first inscribed on the World Heritage list. Source: www.environment.gov.au
Nourlangie Rock
Kakadu's rock art (gunbim) represents one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world. It is also one of the reasons Kakadu has received World Heritage status. The paintings provide a fascinating record of Aboriginal life over thousands of years. With paintings up to 20,000 years old, this is one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world. Rock art remains relevant to Bininj/Mungguy as the works depict objects still used, animals still hunted, and activities people still do. The thermoluminescence dating technique has been used in Kakadu to date the sand surrounding pieces of ground ochre to 50 000 years ago. Used pieces of ochre provide good evidence that there was artistic expression of some sort at this early date, although not necessarily rock art. The rock art in Kakadu was painted for a number of reasons:
Hunting - Animals were often painted to increase their abundance and to ensure a successful hunt by placing people in touch with the spirit of the animal
Religious significance - At some sites paintings depict aspects of particular ceremonies
Stories and learning - Stories associated with the Creation Ancestors, who gave shape to the world were painted
Sorcery and magic - Paintings could be used to manipulate events and influence people's lives; fun-for play and practice.
The stories and knowledge associated with many paintings often have a number of levels. Younger people and non-Aboriginal people are told the first level, known as the 'public story'. Access to the 'full story' depends on an individual's progression through ceremonial life, their interest, and their willingness to take on the responsibilities that go with that knowledge. Source: www.environment.gov.au
Kakadu's rock art (gunbim) represents one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world. It is also one of the reasons Kakadu has received World Heritage status. The paintings provide a fascinating record of Aboriginal life over thousands of years. With paintings up to 20,000 years old, this is one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world. Rock art remains relevant to Bininj/Mungguy as the works depict objects still used, animals still hunted, and activities people still do. The thermoluminescence dating technique has been used in Kakadu to date the sand surrounding pieces of ground ochre to 50 000 years ago. Used pieces of ochre provide good evidence that there was artistic expression of some sort at this early date, although not necessarily rock art. The rock art in Kakadu was painted for a number of reasons:
Hunting - Animals were often painted to increase their abundance and to ensure a successful hunt by placing people in touch with the spirit of the animal
Religious significance - At some sites paintings depict aspects of particular ceremonies
Stories and learning - Stories associated with the Creation Ancestors, who gave shape to the world were painted
Sorcery and magic - Paintings could be used to manipulate events and influence people's lives; fun-for play and practice.
The stories and knowledge associated with many paintings often have a number of levels. Younger people and non-Aboriginal people are told the first level, known as the 'public story'. Access to the 'full story' depends on an individual's progression through ceremonial life, their interest, and their willingness to take on the responsibilities that go with that knowledge. Source: www.environment.gov.au