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, 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 sound bar, 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.