Ballaarat

The Wathaurong people The Wathaurong (also known as Wadawurrung) people are the Traditional Owners of a large area of western Victoria, stretching from the western shores of Port Phillip Bay through Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, west to Ballarat and the Otway Ranges. They are one of the five nations of the Eastern Kulin alliance, alongside the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Taungurung. Wathaurong country encompasses a remarkable diversity of landscapes — from the volcanic plains and crater lakes of the Western District to the coastal cliffs and estuaries of the Bellarine and Surf Coast. The Barwon River (Barwon Yulluk) and its tributaries were central to Wathaurong life, providing fish, eels, and freshwater resources. The You Yangs granite ridges were a significant cultural landmark visible from across the plains. Wathaurong people managed the landscape through sophisticated burning practices that maintained grasslands and open woodland. Today, the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (trading as Wadawurrung) leads cultural heritage management, language revitalisation, and land management across their traditional country. The Wadawurrung language is being actively revived through community programs, a language app, and partnerships with local institutions. Djilang (Geelong) remains at the heart of Wathaurong country.