Aboriginal Connections Royal National Park

Royal National Park has a long history of Aboriginal occupation. Sadly many of the original Dharawal people died from illnesses associated with European contact and so it is the evidence of middens, rock engravings and hand stencils in caves which are reminders of a rich, spiritual culture. This should be deeply respected and reflected upon, especially when walking near rock engravings as Dharawal descendants still have a strong affinity with the area.

One of the best areas to view the Dharawal culture is the area around Jibbon Headland. (see Jibbon Headland walk). Signage along the way gives us an insight into fishing techniques, technology used in making bags, hooks, lines, spears and canoes. Further on a rich display of rock engravings becomes apparent with an explanation of what to look out for. Be careful not to walk on the engravings themselves.

Apart from the abundance of food provided by the Hacking River, which included the occasional washed up whale, wallabies, kangaroos, possums and smaller mammals would have been on the menu as well as occasional lizards such as water dragons, jacky dragons and goannas. There are a number of plants which would probably have been sourced for their fruits, seeds, tubers and resin depending on the season. Walking with a bush food identification book helps in learning about some of these plants. (See references section)