Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre for a learning experience of local Aboriginal culture. Browse exhibits of indigenous art, enjoy a cool drink and inspect the circular design of the centre, which mirrors the shape of a Warradjan (pig-nosed turtle).
Kakadu National Park is a sacred land for several Aboriginal communities. The Murumburr, Girrimbitjba, Wargol and Bininj people are just some among many who lived on the fertile and vibrant landscapes that characterise this parkland. Discover their histories within the centre's exhibits.
Near the entry, a central dial structure displays the "Six Seasons of Kakadu” using beautifully crafted wood. Local knowledge about the seasons, ranging from cold "Wurrgeng" in June to the monsoonal "Gudjewg" in December, allowed the indigenous people to survive with the environment’s patterns. For example, "Gurrung" in August is known as the hunting season for geese, snakes and long-necked turtles.
Learn more about hunting techniques from the centre's exhibits. Each clan is represented in its own section with particular focuses on territory, bloodlines and tribal stories passed down from generation to generation. Further through the exhibits, discover the influence of European settlement on these isolated communities.
Continue to the gallery and admire meticulous ochre paintings. These works are created by painters from the Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions. If you're lucky, you might be able to photograph local artists painting in the centre's studio. All works are available for purchase on site.
After browsing, enjoy a cool drink and a snack at the café. Nearby in the video room, watch an informative film explaining indigenous arts culture. Buy a souvenir trinket or a book at the store on your way out.
Continue the indigenous experience with visits to nearby sites. The inscriptions hewn into the red cliffs at Nourlangie and Naguluwurr offer particularly intriguing insights into the lives of Australia's first inhabitants.
The Warradjan Cultural Centre is 0.6 miles (one kilometre) from Cooinda Lodge. Get there via four-wheel drive or a tour bus from Jabiru. It is open daily year-round.
