Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Wadjar Indigenous Gallery
What’s a Keeping Place? 10 things we learned at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre
We acknowledge Gumbaynggirr Country, the ancestral lands of the Mirlagalgi people and the Garby Elders. Gumbaynggirr people and their Dreaming have lived on the Mid North Coast NSW since time immemorial, on Country spanning from the Clarence River to Nambucca and west to Ebor.
A visit to Yarrawarra, just north of Woolgoolga at Corindi Beach, is one of the richest ways to connect with this living culture on the Coffs Coast, so we recently set off with a picnic hamper and a few of our young family members to learn more.
What is Yarrawarra?
Yarrawarra means ‘happy meeting place’ in Gumbaynggirr. Established in 1987 by Gumbaynggirr Elders. Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is owned and operated on a not-for-profit basis by Aboriginal people, mostly from the Gumbaynggirr language group. It brings together an art gallery, a museum, a bush tucker cafe, a gift shop and accommodation on one peaceful bushland site.
Whose Country is Yarrawarra on?
Yarrawarra sits on the northern coastal lowlands of Gumbaynggirr Country. The Mirlagalgi Clan and its descendants are the traditional custodians of this part of Gumbaynggirr Jagun (Country), and their deep connection is reflected in oral histories passed down through 4,000 years of community, trade and ceremony at nearby Red Rock.
What is the Jalumbo Cultural Heritage Keeping Place?
A Keeping Place is where a community cares for and shares its own cultural heritage. Jalumbo holds a precious collection reflecting more than 6,000 years of Gumbaynggirr life, from ancient tools and artefacts to stories and artworks. It’s a must for budding archaeologists and anyone curious about the strength, knowledge and survival of the Gumbaynggirr people.
Where can I see Gumbaynggirr art?
The Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery exhibits traditional and contemporary works by First Nations artists from across the region, with exhibitions changing through the year. The gift shop sells authentic artworks and handmade pieces, so anything you take home directly supports the artists.
Is there somewhere to get food and drinks at Yarrawarra?
Yes. Songlines Bush Cafe serves coffee, breakfast and lunch with a bush tucker twist, with tables scattered across a wide, covered timber deck surrounded by native bushland.
If you’d rather bring your own food (or have particular food sensitivities / allergies like our family does), the peaceful grounds are perfect for a family picnic with open and shaded grassy areas, picnic tables and toilet amenities close by.
What cultural activities can visitors join?
Yarrawarra runs a full calendar of cultural immersion experiences, including bush tucker and medicine tours, weaving workshops, storytelling by the fire, festivals and school holiday programs. We didn’t join an activity on this visit, but the program offers something for everyone, whether you’re travelling solo, with friends or with children.
Is Yarrawarra suitable for children?
Very much so. Kids can explore the hands-on wonder of Jalumbo, spot artworks in the gallery and stretch out on the grass afterwards. Holiday workshops like tie dying and Dreamtime dance give children a joyful, welcoming way to learn about the world’s oldest living culture.
Can I stay overnight?
Yes. The Nuralamee Accommodation and Conference Centre, whose name means ‘home camp’, opened in 1999 and sleeps up to 70 guests in a bushland setting. We haven’t stayed in the award-winning accommodation ourselves, but it hosts everything from retreats and conferences to group getaways.
How does visiting support the community?
Yarrawarra grew from a community that kept language, culture and connection to Country strong through the hardest chapters of colonisation. Every coffee, artwork and tour booking supports a not-for-profit organisation that creates economic, social and cultural opportunities for local Aboriginal people, alongside its work in cultural land management and education.
When is Yarrawarra open?
The centre is at 69 Red Rock Road, Corindi Beach, less than 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Woolgooga and only 30 minutes from Wiigulga Sports Complex if you wish to cycle. It opens Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and weekends from 9am to 2pm, closed Mondays. Check the website for current events before you visit, as workshops and exhibitions change with the seasons.
Planning your visit
Yarrawarra is just 11 minutes north of Swell, so it’s a short, easy trip if you’re lucky enough to call Woolgoolga home. Otherwise, it pairs beautifully with a morning exploring the numerous quiet beaches between Woolgoolga and Red Rock, or plan an afternoon visit after a trip to the nearby Woolgoolga Falls walking track. Come for the art, stay for lunch and leave with a deeper appreciation of the Country you’re standing on.
Giinagay, and enjoy your visit.
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Watch our video from our recent trip to Yarrawarra below, and follow Swell on socials for more updates!
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