A new bushwalk in Western Sydney is now open to explore, boasting spectacular views to the city and Blue Mountains, as well as a series of unique Aboriginal artwork trees.
‘Gabrugal Yana’, an 11km return walk through Western Sydney Parklands, is now open to the public and celebrates local Dharug Aboriginal culture by transforming six landmark trees into Aboriginal artworks that represent Dharug seasons.
First Nations artists Shay Tobin and Djon Mundine OAM worked with Dharug cultural consultants and community members to bring the change of seasons to life through artworks that depict well-known Sydney plants and animals such as the blue tongue lizard and the eel, as well as fire. The trees share Dharug names and language which is accessible through audio which can be heard along the route.
It is the first walk of its kind in western Sydney and opens up a part of Western Sydney Parklands previously only known to locals. Over the coming decades, the southern part of Western Sydney Parklands, which is eight times the size of Centennial Park, will continue to grow as the backyard for fast-growing communities in Austral, Leppington, Middleton Grange and Cecil Hills.
Gabrugal Yana means walk of the Gabru or Cabro people, who traditionally lived in the Fairfield and Liverpool area. The walk begins at the Wylde Mountain Bike and BMX hub in Cecil Park before winding south through Cumberland Plain woodland and old farmland to Middleton Grange.
Parking, water stations and amenities are available at Wylde.
For more information about the project, visit Western Sydney Parklands.