Understanding Country

South East Queensland

South East Queensland stretches from the Sunshine Coast hinterland through greater Brisbane to the Gold Coast, encompassing coastal plains, the Great Dividing Range, and rich river country. The Bunya Mountains were a major gathering place where nations would meet for ceremony and trade.

10 First Nations Groups · 14 Languages

Badtjala, Giabal, Githabul + 7 more

New South Wales

New South Wales encompasses the vast western plains, the Blue Mountains, and coastal regions from Wollongong to Newcastle. The Wiradjuri — one of the largest Aboriginal nations — span much of the inland, while the coast is home to diverse peoples from the Eora of Sydney Harbour to the Bundjalung of the northern rivers.

41 First Nations Groups · 38 Languages

Awabakal, Barindji, Barkindji + 38 more

Victoria

Victoria encompasses the Kulin nation lands around Port Phillip Bay, the volcanic western plains of the Gunditjmara — whose Budj Bim aquaculture system is a UNESCO World Heritage site — and the alpine and Gippsland regions to the east.

25 First Nations Groups · 24 Languages

Baraba Baraba, Bidwell, Boon Wurrung + 22 more

Wet Tropics

The Wet Tropics stretches along North Queensland's coast from Townsville through Cairns, encompassing ancient rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef, and tropical tablelands. The Rainforest Aboriginal peoples have maintained continuous connections to some of the oldest rainforest on earth.

33 First Nations Groups · 38 Languages

Biri, Djabuganjdji, Djirbalngan + 30 more

Cape York

Cape York Peninsula stretches from tropical rainforests to the remote tip of mainland Australia. One of the most linguistically diverse regions on earth, it is home to dozens of distinct language groups whose Country spans ancient rainforest, savanna woodland, and vast river systems.

34 First Nations Groups · 53 Languages

Agwarmin, Anggamudi, Anguthimri + 31 more

Top End

The Top End encompasses Kakadu, Arnhem Land, and the Tiwi Islands — some of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes on earth. This region holds extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity, from the rock art galleries of Kakadu to the ceremonial traditions of the Yolngu.

52 First Nations Groups · 50 Languages

Amarak, Bilinara, Bukurnidja + 49 more

Pilbara & South-West

52 First Nations Groups · 51 Languages

Amangu, Badimaya, Baiyungu + 49 more

South Australia

South Australia stretches from the Adelaide Plains and the Murray-Darling basin to the vast arid lands of the north, including the ancient Flinders Ranges. The Kaurna of the Adelaide region, the Ngarrindjeri of the Lower Murray, and the desert peoples of the far north each maintain distinct cultural traditions.

32 First Nations Groups · 31 Languages

Andyamathanha, Antakarinja, Arabana + 29 more

Tasmania

lutruwita (Tasmania) has been home to Aboriginal peoples for over 40,000 years, with evidence of the southernmost human habitation during the last Ice Age. The palawa peoples developed unique cultural traditions during thousands of years of isolation, and today maintain a vibrant living culture.

8 First Nations Groups · 8 Languages

Lairmairrener, Nuenonne, palawa + 5 more

Torres Strait

The Torres Strait Islands lie between the tip of Cape York and Papua New Guinea — a constellation of over 270 islands with deep connections to the sea. Torres Strait Islander peoples have distinct cultural traditions, languages, and governance systems.

21 First Nations Groups · 7 Languages

Dauanalgal, Erubam Le, Gebaralgal + 18 more

Gulf Country

The Gulf Country spans the vast savanna and river country around the Gulf of Carpentaria, where Queensland meets the Northern Territory. Peoples of this remote region have traditions deeply tied to the seasonal rhythms of the monsoon and the rich coastal fisheries.

17 First Nations Groups · 18 Languages

Alawa, Binbinga, Bularnu + 14 more

Kimberley

The Kimberley in northern Western Australia is one of the most ancient and dramatic landscapes on earth — from the turquoise waters of the Buccaneer Archipelago to the deep gorges of the inland ranges. Its rock art traditions, including the Gwion Gwion paintings, span tens of thousands of years.

26 First Nations Groups · 26 Languages

Bardi, Bunuba, Djawi + 23 more

Central Queensland

Central and western Queensland stretches from the Capricorn Coast through the Great Dividing Range to the vast Channel Country. This diverse region encompasses tropical coastline, fertile river valleys, and arid western plains, each home to distinct peoples with deep connections to their Country.

28 First Nations Groups · 27 Languages

Baradha, Barna, Bayali + 25 more

Central Australia

Central Australia encompasses the red heart of the continent — from the MacDonnell Ranges and Uluru to the vast Tanami Desert. The Arrernte, Warlpiri, Luritja, and Pitjantjatjara have maintained unbroken connections to this Country for tens of thousands of years.

16 First Nations Groups · 15 Languages

Alyawarre, Andegerebenha, Anmatyerr + 13 more

Western Desert

The Western Desert stretches across the arid interior of Western Australia. Its peoples share interrelated languages and the Tjukurpa law system, and their contemporary art movement — born at Papunya in the 1970s — has become one of Australia's most significant cultural contributions to the world.

14 First Nations Groups · 13 Languages

Karajarri, Kukatja, Kuwarra + 11 more