Gunai and Kurnai, Koorie and Koori

Although Aboriginal tribes throughout Australia communicated with carved message sticks and paintings, there was no written form for Aboriginal languages before 1788.  For this reason there are still many variations in how Aboriginal language words are spelled.

Gunai (sometimes spelled Kurnai) is the name of the tribal group, which has inhabited the Gippsland region for at least 18,000 years.

Koorie or Koori is a term widely used by Aboriginal people living in southeastern Australia as an expression of shared identity.

"We belong to one another.  We're all part of the Gunai nation, one way or the other.  Some come from the Western District, some from the Murray River, but they all still have family ties here in Gippsland.  We're just proud of who we are - Aboriginal East Gippsland, full stop."


Bataluk Cultural Trail
Clan areas on the Bataluk Cultural Trail
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Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative
37 - 53 Dalmahoy Street
Tel: (03) 5152 1891
Borun Cultural Tours
Visitor Information Centres Orbost  (03) 5154 2424
Lakes Entrance  (03) 5155 1966
Bairnsdale  (03) 5152 3444
Maffra  (03) 5141 1811
Sale  1800 677 520


  1. white woman's waterhole
    won wron state reserve
  2. the lagoon
    sale common state game reserve
  3. the knob reserve
  4. ramahyuck cemetery
    perry bridge
  5. den of nargun
    mitchell river national park
  6. krowathunkooloong keeping place
  7. howitt park
  8. legend rock
  9. buchan caves
  10. burnt bridge reserve
    lake tyers forest park
  11. salmon rock and gunai boardwalk
    cape conran

Please treat all sites along the trail with respect and care to ensure they are preserved for future generations.