Council welcomes dual names for Cape Byron and Julian Rocks

Published on 21 March 2024

Byron Shire Council has welcomed the gazettal of dual names for two of Byron Bay’s most famous landmarks with Cape Byron to be also known by the traditional Aboriginal name ‘Walgun’ and Julian Rocks to be also known as ‘Nguthungulli’.

“This is such great news, and we’d like to recognise and thank National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) who worked closely with Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation and the Cape Byron Trust,” Council’s Aboriginal Project Officer, Rob Appo said.

“To have traditional Aboriginal place names returned to geographic features in the Byron Shire is really positive and acknowledges the ongoing cultural connection to Country and language for Arakwal people,” Mr Appo said.

Walgun means shoulder in the Bundjalung language, and the Walgun/Cape Byron area represents a place of spiritual and cultural significance, with the area used for important gatherings and ceremonial practices.

Nguthungulli/Julian Rocks is a significant and sacred Aboriginal site associated with a number of Dreaming stories of the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) people and the wider Bundjalung.  Among the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) people, the traditional name Nguthungulli is used to refer to the Father of the World.

“Council looks forward to working with the NPWS on bringing the new dual names into signage to bring about greater awareness and recognition of the cultural significance of these landmarks,” Mr Appo said.