Gumgali Track, Orara East State Forest

Gumgali Track is located in the beautiful Orara East State Forest, also home to Sealy Lookout and the Forest Sky Pier. A unique Aboriginal cultural experience and interpretation along Gumgali Track shares the Gumbaynggirr creation story of Gumgali, the black goanna. Visitors are greeted with a display at the head of the track, featuring the tale of Gumgali written in Gumbaynggirr and a Welcome to Country from Gumbaynggirr Elder Uncle Mark Flanders. Along the track, visitors encounter a contemporary retelling of the story through sculpture and art. Goanna sculptures hide in trees and on the ground, timber public art provides a place for visitors to capture images or grab a seat, and a striking 30-metre mural, spray-painted by local artists Yowa and Snarl over a cluster of utility buildings, is a colourful cultural experience. Gumgali Track concludes at Korora Lookout at the soundbar, with spoken versions of the story of Gumgali delivered in English by 12-year-old Ronan Walker and in Gumbaynggirr by language teacher Clark Webb. These stories can be enjoyed from church pew-style seating at the lookout before taking in the broader coastal ocean views from the viewing platform. Gumgali Track is a return walk.