Umbarra Cultural Centre

Fast facts

• Unique opportunity to experience the indigenous culture of the Yuin people
• 375 km south of Sydney, 12 km near Bermagui

Why go there

The Yuin Aboriginal people have occupied the land along the far south coast of New South Wales for tens of thousands of years. The Umbarra Cultural Centre gives you the chance to learn more about the Yuin, including their history, their Dreamtime stories and their traditional homelands.

The centre runs guided four-wheel-drive tours to local sacred sites at Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) and Biamanga (Mumbulla Mountain). A boat cruise on beautiful Wallaga Lake reveals many significant sacred sites, including shell middens and Merriman’s Island.

Learn about local stories, such as the tale of a battle with Aboriginals from further south. In this tale, a tribal leader, named Merriman, saw his totem – a black duck – flying around the island on Wallaga Lake. It was warning him of the approaching danger. A fight developed, and at the height of the action Merriman turned into the black duck itself, and he drove the invaders away.

In the tranquil beauty of the native bush land that surrounds the centre, you can learn to paint with ochre, throw a boomerang and spear, and build a shelter out of bark.

See historical photographs and informative displays, in the museum or shop for boomerangs, didgeridoos, artwork, clothing and other souvenirs.

Don’t miss

• Wallaga Lake, home of Umbarra, the Black Duck – the totem of the Yuin people
• The chiming of bellbirds and the beauty of king parrots and other native birds
• A relaxing break in the coffee shop with coffee, tea and light refreshments