Located around 1km from the Yellow Water Billabong off the Kakadu Highway, Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre offers an insight into the local Bininj/Mungguy Aboriginal culture in Kakadu. With a spherical shape to reflect that of the warradjan or pig-nosed turtle, and fittings inspired by local ironwood trees, the cultural centre contains informative displays, a video room and gallery.
Within the cultural centre, displays curated by the Bininj/Mungguy tribes take visitors through the Aboriginal Creation period following the path of Creation Ancestor Rainbow Serpent through the ancient landscape of Kakadu in accordance to the seasons. The permanent collection includes clap sticks, sugar-bag holders, a goose hunting platform, pandanus baskets and rock art samples with all artifacts made by the Bininj/Mungguy. Visitors will also glean an understanding of the moiety system of internal tribal divisions and skin names. Indigenous clans contributing to the project include people from the Murumburr, Mirrar Gundjeihmi, Badmardi, Bunitj, Wurrkbarbar, Mardin, Bolmo, Girrimbitjba, Manilagarr, and Worgol tribes.
Other cultural aspects of the traditional landowners of the area include the hunting techniques used by different clans during the six varied seasons, bloodlines and marriage rites observed in the area, tribal stories of the elders and the effects of European settlement in the Top End. The theme of the display is 'Our land is our life', and great care has been taken to illustrate this connection to the land and how the local Aborigines lived on and used the land while also caring for their environment. Within the centre, the video room contains a vast selection of films screening at the mini theatre, while the gallery also purveys arts and crafts from Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions, as well as books, cards and light refreshments.
To visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, from the Arnhem Highway intersection drive south on the Kakadu Highway and the centre is located 1km from the Yellow Water Billabong and Gagudju Lodge resort in Cooinda.
