Murujuga

Welcome to Murujuga (Moo-roo-joo-gah) National Park, a place of extraordinary cultural and archaeological significance located on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. As we stand amidst this rugged landscape of deep red…

As we begin our walk among the rock clusters, the first petroglyphs we encounter are often the oldest. These archaic carvings feature elaborate geometric patterns and, most significantly, what is believed to be the first recorded…

For the traditional owners of Murujuga, these carvings are not just relics of the past; they are essential to their kinship systems and 'songlines.' The women of the community, in particular, hold onto the kinship stories through…

The history of Murujuga is not solely one of art and harmony; it also contains a devastating chapter of colonial violence. In 1868, the local Yabarara (Ya-ba-ra-ra) people were nearly wiped out in what is known as the Flying Foam…

One of the most jarring aspects of a visit to Murujuga is the overwhelming presence of heavy industry. Just a few hundred meters from 50,000-year-old petroglyphs, the massive flares and towers of the Karratha Gas Plant dominate…

As we look out toward the industrial expanse, we are also looking at the engine room of the modern Australian economy. The Burrup Peninsula was chosen in the early 1960s as an outlet port for the massive iron ore industry of the…

Despite the challenges posed by industry, there is a powerful movement dedicated to the permanent protection of Murujuga. The traditional owners, through the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, are leading a push to have the area…

Our journey through Murujuga National Park has been a journey through the very soul of human history. We have seen carvings that were made by hand at the dawn of human creativity, and we have witnessed the modern industrial power…