Deals > Explore > Kakadu & Arnhem Land > Aboriginal Art and Culture
Nanguluwur
The Nanguluwur art site, near Nourlangie Rock, is a small Aboriginal rock art gallery. Many rock art styles are represented from hand stencils, dynamic figures in large headdresses carrying spears and boomerangs, Namandi spirits and mythical figures.
Jabiru Mahbilil Festival
The Jabiru Mahbilil Festival, held in early September, is named for the region's seasonal winds. It includes a mixture of European and Aboriginal culture through live music, dance performances, art workshops, clothing and food and craft appreciation. After sunset a fireworks display is mirrored on Lake Jabiru.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Located in Cooinda, the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre's architecture represents the story of World Heritage-listed Kakadu as told by the traditional owners. The circular design of the centre symbolises a warradjan, the pig-nosed turtle.
Bowali Visitor Centre
The Bowali Visitor Centre, just outside of Jabiru, has a wealth of information on the Park's ecology and Aboriginal culture and has an excellent gallery and souvenir shop. Located in Jabiru, the Centre's long lineal design was inspired by an Aboriginal rock shelter.
Gunbalanya Open Day
Usually held on the second Saturday in August, this festival in the community of Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) is an opportunity to experience a weekend of sports, art and culture in a beautiful area of Arnhem Land. The program includes art sales at Injalak Art Centre, cultural performances and a spectacular firework display.
The Northern Territory is a composite of many different Aboriginal cultures - each bringing their own unique style to aboriginal art.
There are hundreds of different languages, customs and laws, each woven together to tell a story that is more than 50,000 years old. Sharing and learning about aboriginal art and culture is central to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land experience.
A visit to Kakadu is best started at the Bowali Cultural Centre near Jabiru or the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre near Cooinda. Each provides visitors a good appreciation of the Park's traditional owners' culture and heritage.
In both Kakadu and Arnhem Land you can learn about and view the many world-famous rock art galleries on a guided tour or through the comprehensive interpretative signage at many art sites. The art sites were integral to Kakadu achieving its World Heritage status with the oldest sites providing evidence of occupation around 20,000 years. The rock art depicts the area's social, cultural and natural history.
Aside from sharing their art, Aboriginal guides enjoy teaching visitors about the daily aspects of their culture on a Park tour. Some tours explore the spectacular bush environment, searching for traditional foods and medicines while others cruise rivers and billabongs.
There are also a number of indigenous art galleries in Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land and around the Gove Peninsula. The aboriginal art centres are generally within Aboriginal communities and visits by travellers are encouraged. The art centres can arrange visitor permits and advise when is the best time of day to watch local artists and craftspeople create their work. Aboriginal art and crafts can also be purchased.
