Traditional Owners—Butchulla people
The Butchulla people are the Traditional Custodians of K'gari (the Butchulla place name for Fraser Island).
For more than 5000 years, perhaps as many as 50,000 years, Butchulla people lived in harmony with the seasons and the land and sea, maintaining a balance between spiritual, social and family connections.
Today the Butchulla people continue to walk the cultural pathway of their ancestors, whom they believe have lived on this country since the beginning of the Dreaming.
Because the Butchulla language did not come from a written culture, this nation has been referred to variously as: Butchulla, Badjala, Badjula, Badjela, Bajellah, Badtjala and Budjilla.
View a slide show of Butchulla images.
Butchulla country
Butchulla country lies in the Great Sandy region on the south-east coast of Queensland, Australia. Ongoing investigation aims at defining the boundaries, which are in contention. Most references currently define Butchulla land as ranging across K'gari and the adjacent mainland, from around Double Island Point in the south to the mouth of the Burrum River in the north, and west to Bauple Mountain.
K’gari, is a special place in their culture and lakes are an integral part of their dreaming.
Butchulla people want their messages—of care and respect for the land—to reach all people visiting the island. As visitors explore K'gari, they will see signs carrying a ‘welcome to country’ message from the Butchulla:
Galangoor djali! Galangoor.
Butchulla bilam, midiru K’gari galangoor nyin djaa.
Ngalmu galangoor Biral and Biralgan bula nyin djali!
Wanya nyin yangu, wanai djinang djaa.
Uncle Malcolm Burns (Butchulla Elder) wrote the message which was translated into Butchulla language by a community linguist, Narawi (Joyce Bonner). The message translates as: ‘Good day. Welcome! Butchulla people, Traditional Custodians of K’gari, welcome you to country. May all our good spirits be around you throughout the day. Wherever you go leave only footprints.’
![Yul'lu (dolphin) by Aaron Henderson (Butchulla descendent).](https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0034/159937/varieties/thumb.jpg)
Yul'lu (dolphin) by Aaron Henderson (Butchulla descendent).
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Butchulla totems
Aaron Henderson’s artwork is a depiction of a Butchulla totem Yul’lu (dolphin), also known as Boothu and Djamarmee.
Each person had their own totem and regard for totems are passed on through generations. No one is allowed to hunt, eat or harm their totem.
Artefact scatters
Today, much of the Great Sandy region including K’gari—contains heritage sites of spiritual, social and archaeological significance.
A major archaeological project in 1976, inspired by findings of the Fraser Island Environmental Inquiry, recorded 152 shell middens, 66 stone artefact scatters and numerous scarred trees.i
Scarred trees were also recorded during an Aboriginal community-based project commissioned by the (then called) Thoorgine Educational and Cultural Centre in 1994. Among their number were two trees near Wanggoolba Creek on the west coast of K'gari, and 121 trees near Lake Bowarrady and Lake Allom.ii
Middens, artefact scatters, scarred trees and camp sites bear witness to the lives of Butchulla people. They hold a special place in their culture. Please take only memories.
A community
The Butchulla community is like an extended family, composed of those who are Butchulla born, those who possess strong cultural connections, and returned descendants of those removed from their country. Today, all are finding fulfilment in their spiritual and cultural connections.
For more information
Brown, E 2000, Cooloola Coast: Noosa to Fraser Island. The Aboriginal and settler histories of a unique environment, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia.
Masterson, S 1996 Wunguulba (Wanggoolba) Creek Scarred Tree: Conservation Report, QDEH Maryborough.
McNiven, I 1994 Relics of a by-gone race?: managing Aboriginal sites in the Great Sandy Region, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies Unit, University of Queensland, St. Lucia.
Australian Government, Squirrelgrip Films and Ronin Films 2009 Secret & Sacred: Badtjala. Exploring Australian Indigenous History, a film produced with cooperation and participation of Butchulla elders.
Thoorgine Centre 1994, The Badtjala People: A Cultural and Environmental Interpretation of Fraser Island. A unique land and seascape to which we belong.
i McNiven, I 1994 Relics of a by-gone race?: managing Aboriginal sites in the Great Sandy Region, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies Unit, University of Queensland, p21
ii Masterson, S 1996 Wunguulba (Wanggoolba) Creek Scarred Tree: Conservation Report, QDEH Maryborough, p3
Past and present, written and oral history information links
Goorie Vision an independent Indigenous owned and operated multi-media service.
Director Luke Barrowcliffe
PO Box 107
Pomona Qld 4568
[email protected]
Dale Lorna Jacobsen, environmental and historical writer and editor.
PO Box 456
Maleny Qld 4552
[email protected]
- Park Alert-Tukkee Wurroo (Indian Head) walking track temporary closure 14 June 2021 to 20 December 2024
- Temporary closure of beach camping zone 8 for dingo management 24 May to 1 October 2024
- Prescribed Burn - K'gari (Fraser Island) Bogimbah 29 July to 31 August 2024
- Prescribed Burn - K'gari (Fraser Island) Grassy Headlands 7 June to 31 August 2024
- Prescribed Burn - K'gari (Fraser Island) Kingfisher Dundonga 24 July to 31 August 2024
- Poison canisters washing up on Southeast Queensland beaches 4 July 2024 to 30 June 2025
- Cornwells Road, No Heavy Traffic 31 August 2022 to 26 June 2025
- Northern Forests scenic drive CLOSED, detour in place 4 June 2024 to 3 June 2025
- Northern Forests walking track CLOSED 4 June 2024 to 3 June 2025
- Dingo (Wongari) Seasonal Information - Breeding Season 1 June to 31 August 2024
- Threatening dingo activity - Eli Creek, Waddy Point and Wathumba 8 December 2023 to 31 October 2024
- Prescribed burn - Exploration Break East 1 March to 31 August 2024
- Planned burn - Binngih Sandblow to Orchid Beach 1 March to 31 August 2024
- Park Alert - K'gari Planned Burn Season 2024 12 February to 31 August 2024
- Beware crocodiles
- Be dingo-safe
- Beware marine stingers (jellyfish)
Conditions report
K'gari conditions report Updated 15 Aug 2024
Critical information for your safety is included in the conditions report—always check it before you visit.