Nature sculptures in Ngunnawal

 

Malunggang

Ngunnawal is a suburb located in the North of Canberra located with the district of Gungahlin, in the Australian Capital territory Australia. Ngunnawal is named after the traditional owners of the land the Ngunnawal people who inhabited Canberra.

This was my second visit to Ngunnawal, I had previously visited back in 2021 to see the large platypus outside the platypus centre,  at the time I visited the platypus was decorated in Christmas decor as you can see in my previous blog here link. This time I visited I was able to see it without Christmas decorations.  It's great to see that the giant platypus is still in good condition and still outside the platypus centre located near Riley Close. The Malunggang (Ngunnawal word for platypus) is significant totem animal to the Ngunnawal people.

 Ngunnawal Playground

Another smaller platypus sculpture is located at the new playground on Burrumarra Ave, this is similar to the sculpture at Eungella platypus cafe which you can see in my Eungella blog here link. The playground also features poles painted with fish which were created by First Nations artist Bradley Mapiva Brown, it represents the  First Nations connections to Ginninderra Creek, native woodlands and the gatherings and ceremony's which took place across this region by the Ngunnawal people.

 

Girrawah Park

Another impressive sculpture of a large lace monitor  is located in Girrawah Park  at Gamburra Street. It  is  a significant place for the local first Nations people with it being a quarry for stone artefacts, featuring extraction of chert to manufacture stone implements.

 

Steropodon galmani

Just south of Ngunnawal in a suburb of Nicholls is the National Dinosaur Museum, it contains a cast of a jaw and model of an ancient platypus type creature Steropodon galmani.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 Ngunnawal can be accessed via bus or light rail from Gungahlin Place Gungahlin. It features a selection of parks and the platypus centre is a highlight.  As a platypus fan it is lovely to see a suburb celebrate the platypus and culture of the Ngunnawal people. Check out my other blog here on the Canberra miniature railway in Symonston ACT.

 

Video Extras