Fleurieu Peninsula Early Beginnings

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Early beginnings of the Fleurieu Peninsula

The history of the Fleurieu Peninsula goes back many, many thousands of years before European arrival and is documented in the rich oral traditions continuing with the Kaurna, Peramangk and Ngarrindjeri.

The estates of the people of the Lower Murray are interlinked with a network of sites that collectively serve to document the creation of their lands, as well as to provide a repository to an encyclopaedic body of knowledge about the plants, the animals, the seasons, the climate and the people's continuing relationship to 'country'.
Coorong Wilderness Lodge, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
You can find out more about these relationships. Take a guided tour of Warriparinga - the archaeological site at Bedford Park - and learn something of the journey of Tjirbruki, the Ibis Man, a senior creator figure for the Kaurna. Tjirbruki's story maps the landscape from the springs at Warriparinga, following his travels as he moved south to the bottom of the Peninsula. The story teaches about kinship responsibilities, men's roles as hunters, food taboos, punishments for breaking the law and funeral rites. The story of Tjirbruki is a symbol of hope and peace.

Peramangk interpret their country at Ngaut Ngaut - an historical and cultural centre associated with the Murray River and its environs near today's township.

Ngarrindjeri maintain two centres, both adjacent to the waters of the Coorong and near Meningie. Camp Coorong provides specialist cross-cultural educational forums and cultural displays, while Coorong Wilderness Lodge offers accommodation, café facilities and guided walks.

You may learn of Ngarrindjeri creator spirit Ngurundjeri and of his superhuman feats as he travelled down what was to become the Murray River in a bark canoe, in search of his two wives who had run away from him. At that time the river was only a small stream and Pondi (a giant Murray cod) swam ahead of Ngurundjeri, widening the river with sweeps of its tail. Ngurundjeri chased the fish, trying to spear it from his canoe. The landscape has been created and traditional custodians continue to take responsibilities for its well-being.

Download map
See the fascinating Aboriginal Language Groups map of the Fleurieu Peninsula [PDF].

Take a Tour
Experience more of Aboriginal South Australia on a tour - see our Aboriginal Tours page for details and great ideas.
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