Mapping Australian history and culture
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. First Australians...
| Name | Gumbainggir Bunya Route |
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| Description | This is reconstruction of the route people, probably Gumbainggir, Bundjalung and Yaegl people, may have taken from around the Clarence River region to the Bunya festival in Jinibara/Kabi Kabi country in the Blackall ranges around Baroon. People travelled from long distances from all directions to the Bunya festival and this is southern route from the coast, which first heads inland. According to one colonist's anecdote, “I clearly remember, since a boy, the blacks of the Clarence returning from the Bunya feast, bringing long black brigalow hand spears... they got from the blacks of Durundur, either as presents or by barter.” - Archibald Meston. The Bunya Feast – Mobilan’s Former Glory. In the Wild, Romantic Days, The Brisbane Courier (Qld), Saturday 6 October 1923, p 18 (While this refers to the western festival at the Bunya ranges, people would have gone to either, depending on what was happening that year.) The timeless bunya festival is living culture. It was not forgotten and has been revived in recent years. |
| Type | Journey |
| Content Warning | This route is a speculative reconstruction of the route it is not definitive or authoritative, and could be revised with better information and local knowledge. |
| Contributor | Dr Bill Pascoe |
| Entries | 10 |
| Allow ANPS? | No |
| Added to System | 2024-01-29 15:30:15 |
| Updated in System | 2024-01-29 16:46:33 |
| Subject | Indigenous, Bunya, Aboriginal |
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Having recieved an invitation to the Bunya feast, get the mob together and head northwards through Bundjalung country, following watercourses.
Go via plains and flatter open areas for good hunting. Cross to the headwaters of the next river at the lowest point in the ranges, and follow them north to flatter country.
Cross the river and following the water course north into the ranges. Cross rivers where they branch, as each branch will easier to cross seperately, being half as wide and deep.
Follow the creek as far as you can into the mountains, then at this point, where the gap between the creeks and the open plains inland is narrowest, gross the range on ridges. Ridges are more open, and easier to walk along. Gullies are densely overgrown dead ends.
At the summit, take in the panoramic view to the north. The valley opens out into plains. That's where you'll be going. To the right you'll see vast tracts of rugged ranges. You're avoiding that.
There's plenty of good Kangaroo and Emu hunting in these large flat plains. Get hunting permission from Yagera people. Keep heading north till you reach the waters leading into Meanjin (Brisbane).
After the long walk through the hot western plains, a refreshing swim is welcome. Head east towards the river crossing.
Borrow some canoes at this popular crossing point to cross the river and keep heading north through Turrbal country. You're getting close. At the top of hills you can sometimes glimpse the brooding peak of Tibrogargan.
On your way through Kabi Kabi country admire the incredible and terrifying beauty of the daki comon mountains (Glasshouse mountains) and listen to their stories, and songs. These are sacred places, be careful.
Head into the mountains in Jinibara country. You've arrived. Make camp and enjoy the feasting and corroborree, tournaments and the people you meet.