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Injalak Rock Art Tour

Visitors travel to Gunbalanya from all over the world to visit Injalak Hill and experience its
outstanding ancient rock art galleries. Injalak Arts has been given exclusive permission by the
Traditional Owners to facilitate Rock Art Tours led by trained local guides. Tours take place in
the morning and are approximately 3 hours in duration.

Injalak is not registered for tourism vehicles therefore guests joining the Injalak Rock Art Tour may need to provide transport for their guide from Injalak Arts to the base of Injalak Hill where the tour begins. This will be confirmed at time of booking.

The main gallery is the first contact with rock art and is the most intense. It is an extensive shelter featuring layered paintings created over thousands of years. Other rock art gallery sites visited include Yingana or Warramurruggunddji, (the Creation Mother) and Andungun (this was told to Charles Mountford) a namarnde (evil) spirit who kills and eats people.

The rock art on Injalak Hill reveals facets of Pre-Estuarine, Estuarine and Contact periods identifying them as between 100 and 8, 000 years old. Injalak Hill likely had continuous occupation. In 1912, the Aboriginal Protectorate Baldwin Spencer noted people heading up the hill every evening with smouldering fire sticks. This helps to explain why Injalak Hill boasts such extensive rock art galleries.

Getting to Gunbalanya

Travelling by road to Gunbalanya from East Alligator Ranger Station requires crossing a river that is seasonal and also affected by tides. We suggest you check tide times for Cahill’s Crossing prior to arrival.

Permits

Permits to visit Gunbalanya must be arranged in
advance via Northern Land Council in Darwin or Jabiru.

Tour Times

Please be at the art centre by 8.30 am for an 8.45 am start.
Tours are approximately 2.5 – 3 hours in duration.

Cost

$110 per adult and $33 per child (under 18).
Pensioner concession $77 (please present your pension card to receive this discount)
Maximum adults per group 12.
Bring: Good walking shoes, water, hat, insect repellent and sunscreen.
Guides: Each group is led by a trained and experienced local guide with detailed knowledge of the rock art sites you will visit.
Customised Tours: Contact us if you want to book a group or require an alternative time for your tour, we will endeavour to accommodate you.
Injalak Rock Art Tours operate only in dry season when the art centre is accessible by road.
Tours do not operate on Sundays or Public Holidays

Injalak Arts was entrusted with the custodianship of Injalak Hill by Traditional Owner Donald Gumurdul (deceased 2013).

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