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Nanguluwurr Art Site: Ancient Aboriginal Rock Art

Explore ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nanguluwurr in Kakadu National Park, a window into the region's cultural heritage and history.

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Discover the Nanguluwurr Art Site in Kakadu National Park, a serene gallery showcasing Aboriginal rock art dating back thousands of years. Explore depictions of ancestral spirits, animals, and early contact with Europeans, including a remarkable painting of a two-masted sailing ship. This significant site offers a peaceful and fascinating glimpse into the region's cultural heritage.

A brief summary to Nanguluwurr Art Site

  • Nourlangie Rd, Kakadu, Northern Territory, 0822, AU
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for the 3.4km return walk to the art site.
  • Bring water and sunscreen, as the walk is mostly unshaded.
  • Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the harsh midday sun and see the art in better light.
  • Purchase your Kakadu National Park pass online to save time.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Nanguluwurr Art Site is located off Nourlangie Road, approximately 20 kilometers from Jabiru. From Jabiru, follow the Kakadu Highway and turn onto Nourlangie Road. Continue along Nourlangie Road, then turn onto the unsealed Gubara Road. The car park for Nanguluwurr is a short distance along this unsealed road. From the car park, it's a 1.7km walk to the art site. A Kakadu National Park pass is required for entry. Park passes can be purchased online or at the Bowali Visitor Centre. Dry Season pass (May-Oct) is $40 per adult, Tropical Summer Pass (Nov-May) is $25 per adult.

  • Walking

    From the Nanguluwurr car park, the art site is accessed via a 1.7km walk. The trail is easy to moderate grade and takes approximately 1.5-2 hours return. The path leads through woodlands to the rock art gallery. There is some rock hopping required towards the end of the trail.

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Discover more about Nanguluwurr Art Site

Nanguluwurr Art Site, nestled within Kakadu National Park near Nourlangie Rock, presents a captivating journey into Aboriginal art and culture. This tranquil site, reached via a 1.7 km walk through woodlands, reveals a remarkable collection of rock paintings that narrate stories spanning millennia. The art at Nanguluwurr showcases diverse styles and subjects, reflecting the rich history and beliefs of the local Aboriginal people. Among the paintings, you'll find hand stencils believed to be thousands of years old, dynamic figures adorned with headdresses, depictions of animals in 'X-ray' style (revealing their internal organs), and representations of Namandi spirits. One particularly intriguing artwork is a painting of a two-masted sailing ship, a testament to early contact between Aboriginal people and European settlers. This 'contact art' provides insight into a transformative period in the region's history. Nanguluwurr served as a major camping site for Aboriginal people, strategically located on a traditional route from the Escarpment Country to the South Alligator floodplain. The act of painting held great significance, often more so than the image itself, with artists layering new images over older ones to tell their stories. The stories and knowledge associated with the paintings have multiple layers of meaning, with younger generations learning the 'public story'. Visiting Nanguluwurr offers a unique opportunity to connect with Aboriginal culture and appreciate the enduring legacy of artistic expression in Kakadu National Park. The site provides parking, information signs and picnic areas.

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