Cultural Significance

Wiimpatja have been living on the Lands for generations. These Lands are of special significance to many Wiimpatja and contain a wide range of important features including creation places, rock engravings, paintings and evidence of occupation.

A large number of sites (over 300) have been recorded on the Lands, including art sites (both painted and engraved), camp sites consisting of hearths and artefact scatters, scarred trees, stone arrangements and quarries. Many of the recordings have however been opportunistic in nature rather than as the result of a systematic survey and it is very likely that there are many additional sites yet to be recorded.

There are many sites that are of great cultural importance for Wiimpatja and visitor access is not permitted or must be closely managed. There is Wiimpatja law about Wiimpatja who can access special places for cultural or spiritual reasons to care for particular sites. These rules are for Wiimpatja only and we will ensure they are maintained.

The Mutawintji Historic Site is an important cultural place and has many individual sites including engravings, paintings and occupation sites. This area is also the most well known site on the Lands. Boardwalks and information signs have been constructed to protect this place and visitors must be taken on guided tours by trained Wiimpatja or tour operators who have special permits. The Cultural Centre at the Historic Site tells the story of Mutawintji and tools, implements and other artefacts are displayed.

Ngalkirrka (the Amphitheatre) is another part of the Lands where visitor access is restricted to Wiimpatja escorted tours.

There are many sites that are of great cultural importance for Wiimpatja and visitor access is not permitted or must be closely managed. There is Wiimpatja law about Wiimpatja who can access special places for cultural or spiritual reasons to care for particular sites. These rules are for Wiimpatja only and we will ensure they are maintained.