Campbelltown's new public recreation area Billabong Parklands opened officially on 8th June this year (2024). I visited the Billabong Parklands to see the new nature based pool space and parklands. Campbelltown is nested in the South West Sydney Region of New South Wales Australia. Campbelltown is located within Dharawal country and it was wonderful to see the connection of culture and Dharawal art and language featured around the Billabong Parklands. The Dhawaral word for platypus is Djamalang and a number of hut shelters located around the Parklands feature Dharawal words for fauna found near waterways. The Billabong was also inspired by the Dharawal National park and features a connection of nature and First Nations culture. The Parklands feature a range of splash play areas, children's pool (1metre deep), main pool (1m-1.8m deep), picnic areas, all ability access offered by pathways and amenities, showers, shelter huts for hire and barbeque facilities. Read more about the Billabong Parklands here. A big thank you to my friend Simon helping out with behind the scenes filming check out his Youtube channel here and Instagram here.
Djamalang Hut Shelter that is available for hire
Welcome Sign
A beautiful welcome sign in Dharawal language welcomes you to the Billabong "Njirgangga dharidhamayi Dharawal nguradha", You are standing on Dharawal Country. It was a collaboration between Milne and Stonehouse, Yirran Miigaydhu Weavers Group, First Nations Advisory Group and and Danielle Mate. The artwork depicts lyrebird and human footprints, the Lyrebird is a significant Totem to the Dharawal people.
Bridge Artwork
A beautiful bridge that goes over the main pool the Billabong was developed in collaboration with key Aboriginal
stakeholders and the Yirran Miigaydhu Weavers Group. The Bridge features themes such as the land between two
rivers story and weaving items such as dilly bags or a carrying vessel. It is a lovely statement piece among the landscape and facilitates the physical and cultural connection path of the Billabong.
Dharawal Language
Dharawal Language is featured around the park and the shelters feature Dharawal Language of native fauna. Below is a selection of fauna Dharawal words featured on the shelter huts. To learn more about the Dharawal Language here is more information here.
Eel or maybe fish hook (alternative spelling Burra source:https://www.dharawalwords.com.au/sea-life)
Bat
Wood Duck
Kookaburaa
Platypus
Swan
Wedge Tail Eagle
Long neck Turtle
Lyrebird
Koala
Pelican
Shag/Cormorant
Mullet Fish
Shelter/hut design available for hire featuring seats, table and near by barbeque facilities
Water fountain outside the entrance to Campbelltown Billabong Parklands featuring sign with Dharawal Language
Final thoughts
Campbelltown Billabong Parklands is a lovely location and I can see it becoming a very popular in summer as the weather warms up. The option to rent out the shelter huts are a great idea for picnics and parties too. I will definitely we back to have a barbeque at the Djamalang hut when the weather warms up.
They did a great job here with this park, the pool area, hut shelters, splash area - really nice! I bet ppl will like it. I certainly would :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, yes I hope to visit in summer.
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