The Whitsundays has been home to First Nations peoples for thousands of years. The region includes several Traditional Owner groups, acknowledged today by the Whitsunday Regional Council: the Ngaro, Gia, Juru, Jangga, and Birriah peoples. Each group has deep cultural and spiritual ties to different parts of the land, sea and hinterland.
The Ngaro People
The Ngaro — known as the “Canoe People” — are the Traditional Owners of the Whitsunday islands and surrounding coastal waters. Archaeological evidence shows their presence in the region for at least 9,000 years. Their legacy remains in stone-axe quarries, shell middens, fish traps and one of the most significant sites in the islands: the ancient rock-art caves at Nara Inlet on Hook Island.
Life on Sea and Land
The Ngaro were highly skilled navigators, travelling between islands in expertly crafted bark canoes. They relied on the rich marine environment for fishing, hunting turtles and dugongs, and gathering shellfish. Native plants were used for food, medicine, tools, nets and rope, showing a deep knowledge of their environment and a close relationship with Country.
Continuing Connection
These cultural places are still recognised and protected today, and Traditional Owners maintain strong links to their ancestral lands and seas. When visitors come to the Whitsundays, they are experiencing a landscape shaped by thousands of years of culture, tradition and connection.
At Pinnacles, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Whitsunday region and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
For more information including a Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail map Click Here
