Highlights
This is a rare opportunity
to learn and experience
traditional Yolngu
elders healing.
Includes 4WD travel via Top
End landmarks of
Pine Creek & Katherine
hot springs to Arnhem Land &
3 days women’s healing
sessions plus deep country
connections. Also men’s
options.
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Background
The Vision for the Gay’wu
(Dillybag) Women’s Program
Bawaka Cultural
Experiences Women’s Program,
is a gift of friendship,
knowledge and strength to
women visitors.
This program will build a
positive future for our
children and grandchildren,
by strengthening our culture
and creating economic
independence. Our vision
holds all women and
families, our country our
culture, our knowledge and
our stories.
Bawaka Homeland is located
on the beachfront in Port
Bradshaw south of
Nhulunbuy, North East Arnhem
Land, Northern Territory.
Access is usually by 4WD,
the scenic trip takes
approximately 90 minutes
from Nhulunbuy (45 mins on
dirt road and 45 mins on
sand).
Bawaka offers a beautiful
tropical paradise with very
limited access by visitors.
It has unspoilt beaches,
spectacular cliff-top ocean
views, vast areas of
bushland and an amazing
array of marine life. There
are two resident houses
(approximately 10 residents)
and several other old
buildings. Power is supplied
via a solar system and back
up generator, water tanks
supplies ample fresh water.
The earliest history of
Eastern Arnhem Land
is recorded in the
paintings, dances and songs
of the Yolngu, which tell of
creation ancestors bringing
lands and waters, people,
animals and plants into
being and laying down the
Law that governs them all.
The Law defines who owns and
manages the lands and
waters, essential features
of Yolngu identity and
culture. Arnhem Land is one
of the few areas in
Australia where Aboriginal
people still live a
traditional life and
maintain a strong culture.
The Journey
Day 1
(August 15, 2009) – Depart
your accommodation 9 am
from Darwin via Adelaide
River for Pine Creek, an
historic gold mining and
railway town. Visit Edith
Falls for a swim and lunch
break (depending on road
conditions) before stocking
up final supplies in
Katherine and a swim in the
hot springs. Depart main
highway for overnight camp
at Mainoru on the
road to Nhulunbuy, Gove
Peninsula.
Day 2 –
Enter Arnhem Land Aboriginal
Land Trust area and continue
on the Central Arnhem Road,
(also known as Bulman
Track). The road climbs and
descends numerous plateaus
as it winds through
grasslands, termite mounds,
open woodlands and stringy
bark forests. Birdlife is
prolific at billabongs
beside the road with the
Australian bustard a common
sight. Buffalo are also seen
here. Lunch at a picturesque
river crossing before we
visit the Roy Marika Lookout
overlooking Nhulunbuy for a
view of the sea in the Gulf
of Carpentaria. Overnight
camp at Nhulunbuy.
Day 3 – We
depart Nhulunbuy at 7.30 am,
arriving at Bawaka by 9.30
am. On arrival you will be
welcomed by the women and
introduced to life in this
remote and idyllic spot. The
day will unfold through the
sharing of the stories about
this place. Today there will
be plenty of time to relax
and get to know each other,
and you will be introduced
to the language, family
structure and relationships
that tie women to the land
and sea. You will come to
understand the interwoven
relationships of art, music
and dance that these women
practice.
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Collecting Pandanas |
Traditional bush
medicine healing |
Bush Medicine |
Day 4 – We
start early with a special
dawn session that leads the
group into a deeper level of
understanding and prepares
for your participation in
the healing session
involving bush medicines.
After lunch you will travel
in the local area to see
some of the places of
particular significance to
women. Your time at Bawaka
concludes with an
opportunity to sit together
and reflect on your
experience with the women on
your last evening.
Day 5 – A
day to relax and/or explore
the Gove Peninsula area
beaches and hideaway coves
and immerse in more of
Yolngu culture. We visit
various Dhimurru Land
Council recreational areas
which include rugged rocks
and wide sandy beaches near
Cape Arnhem, tall exposed
cliffs at Rocky Point and
crystal-clear waters of the
Latram River. Historic
sites include the intriguing
stone pictures, Wurrwurrwuy
near Macassan Beach. You
will find an impressive
range of bark paintings,
baskets and weavings at the
Nambara Arts and Craft
Centre just west of
Nhulunbuy and at the Buku
Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre
and Museum in Yirrkala The
art centre/museum at
Yirrkala is internationally
renowned for its bark
paintings.
Day 6 –
Return journey via the
wildlife, rivers and
billabongs of the Central
Arnhem Road, to overnight at
Mainoru.
Day 7 –
(August 21) - Visit the
Cutta Cutta caves for a look
at this fascinating national
park area and / or an
optional Katherine Gorge
river cruise. Enjoy the
refreshing waters of Edith
Falls for a swim before we
cruise the highway back to
Darwin in early evening for
your accommodation, tour or
flight connections. BL
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