Sacred Ground
About
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which we live – the Darkinjung people. It is upon their ancestral lands that Pretty Beach House stands among the ancient angophoras, wild bush tucker and sandstone cliffs. They are the spiritual and cultural owners of this land.
We acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
By way of recognising our extraordinary location, Indigenous peoples and spiritual heritage, we are proud to offer you an Indigenous Welcome Smoking Ceremony, incorporating dance and didgeridoo around the fire, as an additional experience. You’ll hear ancient Dreamtime stories, listen to the unique sounds of the didgeridoo and clappers and watch on as the ceremony unfolds. This experience is a highlight for many guests at Pretty Beach House, and offers time to reflect on the true spirit of Australia.
There are over 100 significant Aboriginal sites recorded within Bouddi National Park. Sites include rock engravings, grinding grooves, rock shelters with drawings and paintings, middens and other archaeological deposits. These sites provide valuable insight into the local Aboriginal peoples’ traditions, lifestyles and interactions with the environment, and are an important part of our culture today. The word 'Bouddi' is the local Aboriginal name for the area and has become synonymous with the national park and the surrounding lands. It has various meanings in Aboriginal languages, however, it’s most commonly known to mean 'heart'.
There is a rare piece of rock art at the doorstep of our lodge dating back approximately 2,000 years. The drawings are of totem figures of two fish and a dolphin. In Aboriginal culture, totems can represent plant life, insect life, the sky world and animals of the land and sea.
There are many Dreamtime stories about their creation. Come along and hear them with us.
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