Yollinko Park

Yollinko Park Aboriginal Garden is located just before the Moorabool Street bridge. It contains middens, the remains of an Aboriginal camping and cooking site, native food trees and plants, and larger-than-life representations of Aboriginal implements.

The Wathaurong People

The Wathaurong people lived in the Geelong region for more than 25,000 years before white settlers arrived. The name Wathaurong (Wathawurrung or wada warrung) is a recognised tribe which consisted of 25 clans. The tribe's boundaries were from Geelong, north to the Werribee River, north-west to Bacchus Marsh, south-west to Cressy, south-east to Colac, east to Lorne and north back to Geelong, encompassing the Bellarine Peninsula. The various clans had campsites in the area, moving about in search of food and water.

About 140 archaeological sites have been found in the region, indicating a significant level of activity of the Wathaurong people. Yollinko Park Aboriginal Garden on the banks of the Barwon River contains the remains of living mounds and food plants. It also displays giant representations of Aboriginal implements. Other important sites include:

• The canoe tree at Queens Park, beside the Barwon River - Bark taken from the tree was shaped into a canoe for fishing and water crossings.
• Buckley Falls - The area around the junction of the Barwon and Moorabool rivers was important as one of the locations on the seasonal food-gathering route, especially as a major source of eels and fish.
• Toolim Beal, Stewarts Road, Mt Duneed - In 1856, settler John Stewart purchased two allotments bordering Armstrongs Creek for the remaining Wathaurong people as a haven from those seeking to wipe them out.

Wathaurong Co-operative

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative has been operating for more than 20 years and aims to assist Koori people in the Geelong district, socially, economically and culturally. It established the glass company in May 1998, creating more work opportunities for indigenous people. The North Geelong-based co-operative has a wholesaling division that supplies a range of indigenous art to various clients, including Australia Post, Melbourne Museum and the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Grampians. It is located in Morgan Street, North Geelong. Ph 5272 262

Narana Creations

Narana Creations is an Australian Aboriginal cultural tourism & educational Enterprise that is committed to providing a welcome entree to todays Indigenous culture.
Narana welcomes the visitor into an Aboriginal place in a warm and friendly way. The gallery/retail area displays a wide range of Aboriginal arts and crafts and our staff are always interested to share their extensive knowledge of history and culture. Visitors can also be treated to an exhilarating Didgeridoo performance, hear stories of some of our enchanting Dreamtime paintings or just leisurely stroll through our native garden that is growing with an abundance of local bird-life. Entry to Narana Creations is free, and presentations can be booked at a moderate price.