Gundabooka National Park near Bourke will celebrate a major milestone this June Long Weekend, with the community invited to mark the park’s 30th anniversary and the official reopening of the Yapa (Mulgowan) art site.
The special event will be held on Saturday June 6 from 10am at the Yapa picnic area, bringing together Traditional Custodians, NPWS staff, community members and visitors to celebrate three decades of conservation, cultural heritage protection and connection to Country.
Madi Glass, NPWS Ranger for Gundabooka, said the day is about more than just an anniversary.
“It’s really an opportunity to come together on Country, celebrate 30 years of conservation, cultural heritage protection and connection to Country,” she told Outback Radio 2WEB.
The celebration will also officially reopen the upgraded Yapa art site, which has undergone important protection works in recent years.
“For those that haven’t been in a while, we’ll be reopening the new platform and mesh at the art site,” Ms Glass said.
“That’s to help mitigate goats getting into the art site and impacting that sensitive area.”
Gundabooka National Park was gazetted in 1996 and was originally made up of three stations — Ben Lomond, Mulgowan and Ballaar stations.
Ms Glass said the significance of Gundabooka Mountain and the surrounding Cobar Peneplain bioregion played a major role in the area becoming a national park.
“The reason for the purchase was the significance of the mountain, but also as part of the Cobar Peneplain bioregion,” she said.
The day’s activities will begin with a Welcome to Country and official speeches, followed by guided tours led by Traditional Owners.
Visitors will also enjoy camp oven meals and performances by the local Maranguka dancers.
“It’s really special because the event has been something the Traditional Owners and the joint management committee have taken control of,” Ms Glass said.
Organisers are encouraging locals to carpool where possible due to the park’s distance from Bourke, however assistance may also be available for those unable to travel independently.
Anyone needing transport assistance can contact the National Parks office on 02 6830 0200.
Bookings are essential, with more information available through the NSW National Parks website.
