Aboriginal Connections Coolah Tops National Park

The following information is from the Coolah Tops Plan of Management published by NSW National Parks and Wildlife. The Management Plan not only gives information about Aboriginal history, but also information on animal and plant species, geology and landform, fire management, European history, recreational facilities and the policies and framework of management. It is definitely worth reading to give a greater depth of knowledge of this area.

"The Coolah Tops area was part of the land of the Gamilaraay (or Kamilaroi) Aboriginal people whose territory stretched from Dunedoo and Merriwa northwards into Queensland. Today it is the area of the Walhollow Local Aboriginal Land Council. The name Coolah is an Aboriginal word meaning Valley of the Winds."( p17, Coolah Tops Plan of Management, 2002)

Aboriginal people would have had good hunting on the Tops, with numerous large mammals and gliders and possums. There is ample water.

Twenty five Aboriginal sites have been recorded in the park, although none of these have been acknowledged by signposting for visitors as this page was written. Hopefully in the future, this will be rectified while at the same time respecting the wishes of the Land Council.