Bundian Way facts for kids

The Bundian Way is a super old heritage-listed Aboriginal path. It is about 265 kilometers long. Aboriginal people used it for travel, trade, learning, and exploring. Today, parts of the route go through Kosciuszko National Park, state forests, and local roads. It stretches from Mount Kosciuszko to Eden in New South Wales, Australia. This special path is also known as the Aboriginal track path. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on January 18, 2013.

Discovering the Bundian Way's Past

The Bundian Way is an ancient Aboriginal path. It connects Targangal (Mount Kosciuszko) with the coast at Bilgalera (Twofold Bay, Eden). Before it became a heritage site, the Eden Aboriginal Land Council and John Blay explored and mapped the 265-kilometer route.

Old records from the 1800s mention this path. For example, Oswald Walters Brierly wrote about his journey in 1842. An Aboriginal guide named Budgibro led him from Twofold Bay through the mountains. Brierly's journal has notes and drawings of their trip.

Another person, Francis MacCabe, surveyed a route in 1945. This route went between the Monaro area and Twofold Bay. George Augustus Robinson, who was the Chief Protector of Aborigines, wrote down a story in 1844. It was about Al.mil.gong, who walked from Omeo to share a new dance with his family at Bilgalera.

In 1866, A. W. Howitt saw an "old mark made by the blacks". This mark showed that Aboriginal people used this track to go to Maneroo. He also saw a newer mark, likely made by Harry. This showed the path was still in use.

Researchers used these old records to find the actual path. They checked for things like easy access, food sources, scarred trees, and other Aboriginal items. Even in very rough areas, the path followed the easiest way. This was usually along ridges and through gaps.

There are clear camping spots along the route. These spots have food sources like yams, water, and many old tools. In 1852, geologist W. B. Clarke learned about the Bundian Pass from local Aboriginal people.

Why Was the Bundian Way Important?

The Bundian Way connects the highest part of Australia with the eastern coast. It brought people from different areas together. They met for special events like whaling ceremonies in spring at Twofold Bay. They also gathered for moth hunting in the high country during summer.

Large groups of Aboriginal people met in the high country in summer. This was when Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) were plentiful. These gatherings were a big part of Aboriginal culture. The moths provided lots of food for everyone.

Early settlers wrote about these gatherings. Aboriginal people traveled to places where moths were common, often in rock shelters. Bogong moths have a lot of fat, making them a great food source. Records say people arrived thin and left well-fed from the moths' oils.

In 1836, George Bennet described how the moths were cooked or smoked. They were also stored for later. Some cooked moths were mashed into a dough. This was mixed with grain to make a type of cake. He said they tasted sweet and nutty.

Bogong moths fly to the Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps each year as it gets warmer. People came from as far as the east coast for these summer gatherings.

In spring, people traveled to the coast for whale gatherings at Bilgalera. In August 1844, G. A. Robinson wrote about one such event. He described a dance with whales caught to feed 60 or 70 people. About half of them were "Maneroo" people. They had walked from places like Delegate and Cooma.

People walked the Bundian Way for many reasons. It wasn't just for gatherings or food. They used it for practical, ceremonial, and educational purposes. They kept family ties strong, traded goods, shared knowledge, and settled disagreements. Aboriginal people were not always moving without a home. They were deeply connected to their own "country." They took seasonal journeys as an important part of their cultural life.

When European settlers arrived, Aboriginal guides like Budgibro and Omeo Jack showed them the way. This helped settlers find places for their cattle and to build homes. Today, part of the Bundian Way is still used as a path for moving livestock.

There were many old paths between the high country and the coast. But the Bundian Way is one of the longest and best-recorded. Its natural setting looks much like it did long ago. The cultural knowledge about the Way is still strong today. It remains very important to Aboriginal people in south-east New South Wales and the Monaro.

Themes of the Bundian Way

The Bundian Way has different themes for each section:

• Targangal (Kosciuszko) to Moyangul (Pinch): This section is about the High Country and Bogong moths.
• Moyangul (Pinch) to Merambego: This part shows life before and after shepherds and cattlemen arrived.
• Merambego to Delegate: Focuses on how the land changed and the richness of the old Monaro.
• Delegate to Bondi Springs (Mountaintop): This section is about the arrival of settlers.
• Bundian Pass to Towamba: Explores the old Bundian Pass and stages of dispossession. It also mentions famous people like the Imlays, Ben Boyd, Robinson, Brierly, and Weatherhead.
• Towamba to Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach): Continues the story of the old Bundian Pass and dispossession. It also mentions the same historical figures.
• Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach) to Eden and Jigamy: This section covers Bilgalera and Kiah. It shows how the land and sea were occupied for a long time and the first meetings with Europeans.

In 2013, the Bundian Way Management Committee received an award. These volunteers worked for over ten years to get the Bundian Way recognized. They wanted residents and visitors to use and appreciate it.

Exploring the Bundian Way Today

The Bundian Way is a pathway that shares history. It connects Targangal (Kosciuszko), the highest point in Australia, with Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach) on the coast. Along the way, it crosses the Snowy River. It goes through some of Australia's wildest and most beautiful areas. In many places, you can still see how Aboriginal people managed the land long ago. This is the first Aboriginal pathway to be listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

The Bundian Way connects two landscapes: Targangal (Kosciuszko) and Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach) on Tullemullerer (Twofold Bay). In 2010, a team mapped the path. They used Aboriginal objects, old writings, maps, stories, and marked trees to find the route. This is the "Heritage Route," which is 265 km long.

They also found an easier "Touring Route" for walkers. The Heritage Route is about 20 meters wide. It generally follows fire trails, tracks, and forestry roads. It goes through state forests, national parks, farms, and coastal areas. About half of the route is in protected wilderness. Some parts follow public roads through rural areas.

Some sections of the path have marks from the first European settlements. For example, Surveyor Thomas Townsend was guided by two Aboriginal people in 1841. They used part of the Bundian Way from Omeo. The natural areas along the Bundian Way change a lot. They go from alpine high country, across grasslands, and down through forests to the coast.

Across the Monaro area, there are campsites about every 12 kilometers. These are usually near water sources. Today, traveling stockmen use these spots. They are part of Crown Land Travelling Stock Reserves. Aboriginal objects have been found at these sites. Food sources were also often found there. For example, yam fields were identified on the Monaro. Yams were a traditional food for those traveling the Way.

The Bundian Way is a single path that goes straight between the high country and Twofold Bay. However, many north-south paths cross it. There are also paths branching off to other places. The Bundian Way is part of a larger network of old pathways.

The Seven Stages of the Bundian Way

Here's a closer look at the seven main parts of the Bundian Way Heritage Route:

Stage 1—Targangal (Kosciuszko) to Moyangul (Pinch)

This part starts at the top of Mount Kosciuszko. It follows the Great Divide down to Deadhorse Gap. Then it goes along the Cascade Trail. It leaves this trail to follow an old route used by Surveyor Townsend in 1841. This leads down to Moyangul (Pinch River). Many old tools were found along this section. Large open sites were found near Cascade Hut and Tin Mine Hut. This suggests settlers built where Aboriginal people had already stopped.

Stage 2—Moyangul (Pinch) to Merambego

This section follows an old trail next to the Snowy River. It crosses Sandy Creek Trail and then goes up to a ridge. It follows an old track down to Sheepstation Creek. Then it goes to Joe Davis Creek and up another ridge. It continues along the ridge to a high point overlooking Edbo Flat. From there, it follows an old cattlemen's trail past a stockyard to Byadbo Gap. It then follows the Merambego track to the Darrewarra campsite. One of Townsend's marked trees from 1841 might still stand near Sandy Creek crossing.

Stage 3—Merambego to Delegate

This part follows the main track and road through Wallendibby and Corrowong to Delegate. There are amazing views back along the route from McGuigans Gap. You can also see the Treeless Plains at Corrowong and various Aboriginal landscapes.

Stage 4—Delegate to Bondi Springs (Mountaintop)

This section follows the Craigie and Mila roads. Then it takes the Mila Shortcut Road to the Monaro Highway. It goes about 1.5 km along the highway to the old Bondi Springs (Mountaintop TSR). Mountaintop (Bondi Springs) is a special Aboriginal landscape. It's also important for families and women.

Stage 5—Bundian Pass to Towamba

This part follows Southern Access Road east. Then it takes Pines Road near Nalbaugh Falls picnic area. It goes down to White Rock River and along an old road. It enters SE Forests National Park. It then goes through the bush, across White Rock River, and over a gap. It crosses Sheepstation Creek and goes up a hill beside Surveyors Gully. It crosses Imlay Road and follows the old Rockton Road. This road joins Laings Road, Nungatta Road, and Poole Road. It then goes along the old Pericoe Road to Towamba Hall. There are major campsites along White Rock, Sheepstation, and Nungatta streams. Scarred trees are a key feature here.

Stage 6—Towamba to Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach)

This heritage route crosses the Towamba River. It generally follows Towamba Road to Mitchells Creek. Then it goes directly over the hills and along the ridgetops. There were no side-cuts in the earliest path. Instead of going down to Yuglama, it takes the shortcut road to Nullica flats and Beermuna (Boydtown). Important features include forests, Mount Imlay, and the Imlay Creek campsite.

Stage 7—Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach) to Eden and Jigamy

This walking route follows an old track to Davidson Whaling Station. Then it follows the shoreline around the inlet. It passes huge shell middens from old Kiah (East Boyd). It winds above mangroves and sand flats to the old crossing of the Towamba River. Across the river, it rejoins the old public access road. This goes over the ridge to Beermuna (Boydtown). Just before the lagoon, it follows a track to the beach. Then it goes around Nullica Bay beach to the inlet. You might be able to wade across, but the bridge is easier. The way around Mungora (Northcote Point) might only be open at low tide. So, following the ridge above the rocks and Currawalla Beach is easiest. From the north-eastern corner of Bungo Beach, a nice track leads to Cocora Beach. After that, it goes through Eden and along Aslings Beach to Ben Boyd National Park. It continues through State Forest to Jigamy. A loop from Jigamy goes through Ben Boyd National Park to Quondolo Beach and Pinnacles Beach. Then it takes National Park tracks back to Aslings Beach and Eden. This stage has many large middens and scattered tools. These are valuable reminders of the area's Aboriginal past. Visitors should not walk on middens and should leave tools where they are found.

Condition of the Way

As of June 14, 2012, the Bundian Way goes through wilderness, national parks, farms, state forests, and coastal areas. The cultural landscape of the Bundian Way is still very much as it was.

Why the Bundian Way is a Heritage Site

As of January 25, 2013, the Bundian Way is very important to New South Wales. It is a rare, ancient path used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. It connects the high country at Kosciuszko with the coast at Eden.

The Bundian Way is linked to seasonal gatherings of Aboriginal tribes. They met at the Snowy River for Bogong moth collection. They also gathered on the Eden Coast during whale migration. It is historically important because Aboriginal guides helped early European settlers. They helped them explore and find places for farming.

Old documents and archaeological finds along the route support traditional Aboriginal knowledge. This shows how important this path still is to Aboriginal people today. The Way continues to be a key place for learning and cultural activities in the Aboriginal community.

The Bundian Way goes through beautiful wilderness areas. It offers amazing views over the coastal plain. This adds to its beauty and value.

The Bundian Way was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on January 18, 2013, because it met several important standards:

Showing New South Wales' History

The Bundian Way is an ancient path. It shows how Aboriginal people moved for thousands of years between the high country and the coast. It gives proof of the cultural life of Aboriginal people from the Monaro and South Coast. It also shows how they connected with each other. The Bundian Way directly shows how important Aboriginal people were in early exploration and settlement by Europeans. Aboriginal people shared their knowledge of routes, where to find food and water, and the best places for grazing and settling.

Special Connections to People and Groups

The Bundian Way is connected to seasonal gatherings of Aboriginal tribes in Eden (Bilgalera) and the Snowy Mountains (Targangal). Tribes met in spring at Twofold Bay (Tullemullerer) for gatherings linked to whale migration. They also met in summer in the high country, via the Snowy River (Nurudj Dujurung), to gather Bogong Moths.

Showing Beauty and Skill

The high country part of the Bundian Way goes through wild areas. It has extreme heights and amazing views. Many spots along the way offer spectacular views over the coastal plain. The land is valued for its wildness and natural beauty. The beauty of the Way makes it valuable as a tourist route, which is being planned.

Strong Ties to Communities

Old documents and archaeological finds along the route support the traditional knowledge about the Bundian Way. This knowledge is still strong in Aboriginal society today. This is shown through oral history. This strongly confirms the social importance of this path today. The Bundian Way shows the connection Aboriginal people of the south coast of NSW and the Monaro have with their "Country." This cultural connection continues today. The work of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and other Aboriginal community members to survey, research, and protect the Way shows a strong community connection to the Bundian Way. They see it as a place for education and ongoing cultural activity.

Potential for New Information

The Bundian Way and its cultural information can teach us a lot. It can reveal how the land was managed and traveled before European settlement in 1820. It also offers a chance to learn more about how Europeans and local Aboriginal people interacted. This can show how these interactions affected settlement patterns.

Rare and Unique Aspects

The Bundian Way is rare because its cultural landscape is very well preserved. It's one of the best examples of ancient east-west routes in south-eastern Australia. The ancient route goes through lands that have changed very little since the early 1800s. Many other old routes are now highways or have changed a lot. The Way is special because it has been fully surveyed. This was confirmed by physical evidence like archaeology, food sources, and marks on trees. It was also checked against diaries and journals of early European settlers and explorers.

Showing Key Characteristics of Places

The Bundian Way is a great example of how Aboriginal knowledge of "Country" helped European settlement grow. It is a fine example of the routes and paths that Aboriginal people used across New South Wales and Australia for thousands of years.