As early as 60,000 years ago, our First Nations People began applying red, yellow, white, and black pigments to rock to tell their precious stories of creation, also known as the ‘Dreamtime.’
This custom grew to illustrating other aspects of daily life such as hunting, laws and ceremonies, in order to share their knowledge with future generations. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, many ancient rock paintings have been preserved and are open to the public. Here’s a look at some of the top indigenous rock art spaces in Australia.
Indigenous rock art in Uluru, Northern Territory
Uluru was officially named ‘Ayers Rock’ by European explorer William Gosse in 1873, but in 1993 it was changed to Ayers Rock/Uluru, and then again to the current official name of Uluru/Ayers Rock in 2002, to reflect the traditional Indigenous name. The centre piece of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, is arguably Australia’s most well-known natural landmark, and up close it can be even more awe-inspiring.
Several rock art shelters in the area are accessible on the Mala Walk and the Kuniya Walk, where you can also visit Muṯitjulu Waterhole. It’s one of the few places in the park where there’s shade and water, and you may spot wallabies in tall grasses, relaxing amongst the river red gums. There’s also plenty of great bush tucker to be found in these parts, including tjantu (bush tomatoes), iḻi (figs) and arnguli (deliciously tart bush plums).
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The ancient rock paintings found in the many nooks, caves and rock shelters here – such as the one above – tell stories that have been passed down through countless generations of the local Anangu people – the Traditional Owners of the land.
The ochre markings are not simply art – they are part of Tjukurpa, the foundation of Anangu culture, law and spirituality. Many of the motifs depict creation ancestors, hunting scenes and lessons for daily life. Mutitjulu Waterhole is one of the most accessible sites, where layers of handprints and symbols reflect thousands of years of storytelling. Visitors can walk with local guides to gain a deeper understanding of these sacred markings, which continue to connect people to Country in one of Australia’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Remarkable Indigenous rock art on a Lilla Discovery Session
For an immersive experience like no other, visit remote community of Lilla, in Watarrka National Park near King’s Canyon – which is about three hours drive north from Uluru. On a Lilla Discovery Session by Winmarti Tours, guests can truly connect with Country through the stories, knowledge, and traditions of the Luritja people.
The journey starts with a traditional welcome before exploring the sacred sites of the area; rock art shelters, women’s places, and spiritual landmarks that hold thousands of years of history. Learn about bush tucker, medicine, and the deep spiritual significance of the land while surrounded by incredible scenery.
Indigenous rock art art and the wild wonders of Ubirr in Kakadu National Park, NT
Ubirr is one of Kakadu National Park’s most extraordinary Aboriginal rock art galleries, where ancient stories are etched into stone.
A gentle one-kilometre circular walk leads you past three remarkable sites, each revealing layers of history and culture that have been shared for tens of thousands of years. From the main gallery, a short but steady climb rewards you with sweeping views across the floodplains, where the landscape stretches endlessly to the horizon.
Time your visit for sunset, when the sky ignites in vivid tropical hues — a moment that stays with travellers long after they leave. Allow around 90 minutes to explore Ubirr at an easy pace, including the unforgettable lookout. Looking out over the endless floodplains, it’s easy to picture the world as it was tens of thousands of years ago. Book a fascinating Kakadu and Ubirr tour with an expert guide, and learn as you explore.
The rock art of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) in Kakadu, NT
A walk through Burrungkuy (formerly known as Nourlangie) World Heritage-listed rock site in Kakadu National Park, is like a visual journey back in time to about 20,000 years ago.
The sandstone shelters reveal vivid paintings of ancestral beings and everyday life, preserved for thousands of years. Among the most famous is (pictured below) Barrginj, wife of Namarrgon the ‘Lightning Man’, whose presence is painted alongside spiritual figures that hold deep meaning for Traditional Owners. This duo are important figures in Aboriginal creation legends and they are the parents of Al-yurr – the species of grasshopper that signals the coming of the wet season that is known today as Leichhardt’s grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera).
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The 1.5km circular walk includes shaded places to pause, relax and reflect on the stunning surrounds and the incredibly rich history. For an apt finale, climb to Gunwarddehwardde Lookout, where sweeping views over the Arnhem Land escarpment capture the drama and beauty of this ancient landscape that you’ll never forget.
It’s worth taking a guided tour of Kakadu, with a local expert explaining the geology and archaeology of the area, the way Indigenous people used Anbangbang shelter and provide insights into the ancient cultural roots and their connection with the land.
Indigenous Rock art at Murujuga National Park (Burrup Peninsula), WA
Murujuga National Park, on the Burrup Peninsula, is home to the world’s largest and most diverse collection of petroglyphs – ancient engravings etched into stone that date back more than 47,000 years. Along the specially designed 700m boardwalk, you can see extraordinary images of humans, birds, fish, and even extinct animals such as the Thylacine. These engravings carry deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Ngarda-Ngarli Traditional Owners, linking them to their stories, customs and ancestors.
The word Murujuga means ‘Hip Bone Sticking Out’ in the Ngarluma-Yaburara language, and encompasses the Dampier Archipelago, Burrup Peninsula and surrounding islands. Beyond the rock art, the park shelters a wealth of wildlife, from Rothschild’s rock wallabies and Pilbara olive pythons to diverse shorebirds.
In 2020, Murujuga was placed on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List, recognising its outstanding cultural and archaeological significance — and bringing this extraordinary landscape one step closer to global recognition.
Arkaroo Rock in the Flinders Ranges, SA
Akurra Adnya (Arkaroo Rock) is the only signposted, publicly accessible Aboriginal rock art site in Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park. A short bushwalk leads to a natural rock shelter, where ancient paintings by the Adnyamathanha people are carefully protected behind a low fence.
These works are considered some of the finest examples of Adnyamathanha rock art, offering a powerful glimpse into stories that have been passed down for thousands of years. While Sacred Canyon can also be visited, access since 2020 has been limited to guided tours, making Arkaroo Rock a rare and special place to connect with this remarkable landscape and its Traditional Owners.
Interested in reading further about Australia’s sacred Indigenous sites and learning about the history of our First Nations People? We have an entire section of TrulyAus devoted to Indigenous Australian stories.