Western Australia is now home to the Australia’s newest UNESCO World Heritage site, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, a place of deep time, deep spirit and living culture – and now, global recognition.
Inscribed on the World Heritage List on 11 July, Murujuga is set against the turquoise waters of the Pilbara coastline, on the Dampier Archipelago and Burrup Peninsula. One of the most significant cultural landscapes on Earth, Murujuga features richly layered red rock escarpments that are home to an estimated two million petroglyphs, dating back more than 50,000 years.
The ancient stone carvings document the connection between First Nations Peoples and Country through time: stories of land, sea, ceremony, family, and spirit etched into stone. It’s Australia’s 21st world heritage site and is the second to be recognised for its Aboriginal cultural values.
Murujuga joins the ranks of globally revered locations, including Memphis and its Necropolis in Egypt, The Acropolis in Greece, Petra in Jordan, The Great Wall of China and Taj Mahal in India.
At the heart of Murujuga is the Ngarda-Ngarli, the five language groups that are custodians, who continue to care for this land and sea country. In the Ngarluma language, Ngurra means “Country” and to the Ngarda-Ngarli, Murujuga is not only home, but also a living ancestor, a keeper of stories, and a place of continuing cultural practice.
From the air, the Dampier Archipelago appears as a scattering of rugged islands rising from the Indian Ocean, 42 islands spanning 100,000 hectares. Visitors are invited to tread lightly, to listen deeply, and to understand the importance of respect, cultural safety and shared custodianship.
This UNESCO listing recognises not just the extraordinary rock art, but the ongoing living traditions of the Ngarda-Ngarli, their spiritual connection to place, and their remarkable cultural knowledge passed through countless generations.
Travellers can experience the cultural richness of Murujuga through guided tours led by Traditional Owners. These immersive experiences offer a rare opportunity to see the ancient petroglyphs through the eyes of the people who have lived with and cared for this Country for thousands of generations.
Guided tours are available through the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and can be booked from the town of Karratha, the gateway to the Burrup Peninsula.
Murujuga is located in the Pilbara region, a 2-hour flight from Perth to Karratha, with direct access to the Burrup Peninsula. Car hire is available at the airport, and guided tours typically include transfers and cultural briefings.
