Gazetteer of Historical Australian Places
| Name | Indigneous place names of Australian Cities |
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| Description | This map was created in August 2023. It is designed to be a living document that can be updated with cultural knowledge and expanded over time as new information arises. In naming cities, it can be difficult to identify one Indigenous name as Indigenous people of that area are likely to have many different names for different landmarks within the city precinct. Where possible, TLCMap has provided links to other interactive maps and sources which identify these Indigenous place names. Spelling: Alternative spellings of languages, clans and people are provided in brackets. For example, Boorloo (Boorlo, Burrell). This is not an exhaustive list of spellings. Differences in spellings exist for a number of reasons. Indigenous languages are oral. Initially, they were recorded by linguists and anthropologists who were largely responsible for writing down the spoken words they heard. Hence interpretations vary from author to author. Also, multiple dialects of some Indigenous languages will affect the spelling of place names. Pronunciations: Pronunciation for place names is based on the ABC's Pronunciation Guide. Capital letters are used to signify what part of the word the stress falls on. For example, in English, the stress of the word “reading” is at the beginning of the word, so we say READ-ing rather than read-ING. |
| Type | |
| Content Warning | TLCMap recognises that modern cartographic conventions are not directly or easily transferrable into Indigenous systems of naming and land use. Modern maps are set out in such a way as to imply that places have fixed names over time whereas, in Indigenous cultures, any one place may be called several different names depending on the context in which it is being used. In addition, this map identifies only one name for a city whereas it is highly likely there will be many Indigenous names for places and landmarks that comprise that city. Please be aware that this publication is not definitive and that discrepancies may exist for certain place names due to the inaccurate and inconsistent manner in which the information was originally documented. The contestation of ownership between some Aboriginal groups is due to the aftermath of destructive colonial practices and TLCMap has endeavoured to list all claimants to Country. However, while all reasonable care has been taken in compiling this map, using Indigenous-sourced references from 2023, TLCMap disclaims any liability for any errors or omissions. You are welcome to contact us if you have any further information which has not been recorded by TLCMap. |
| Contributor | Jacqui Wright |
| Entries | 9 |
| Allow ANPS? | Yes |
| Added to System | 2023-08-15 16:44:25 |
| Updated in System | 2023-08-28 14:13:17 |
| Subject | indigenous, dual naming, declonising, place names |
|---|---|
| Creator | Dr Jacqueline Wright |
| Publisher | TLCMap |
| Contact | bill.pascoe@unimelb.edu.au |
| Citation | For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and place names: https://gambay.com.au/languages https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames on this map: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5937694719606031 For more on the following cities: Meanjin (Brisbane): Warrang (Sydney): https://australian.museum/learn/cultures/atsi-collection/sydney/place-names-chart/ Canberra: Naarm (Melbourne): https://aboriginal-map.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ Nipaluna (Hobart): http://tacinc.com.au/pk/GIS/index.html#8/-41.953/146.342 Tarndanya (Adelaide): https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/community/reconciliation/kaurna-place-naming/ Boorloo (Perth): https://gnarlaboodjamap.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/#/home https://www.derbalnara.org.au/index.htm Garramilla (Darwin): https://larrakia.com/about/the-larrakia-people/ Mparntwe (Alice Springs): |
| DOI | |
| Source URL | https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/do-you-know-what-aboriginal-land-youre-on-today/ytff85vi1 |
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| Language | INDIG |
| License | CC BY |
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| Date Created (externally) | 2023-08-15 |
"Meanjin" is a Turrbal word for the area where Brisbane's central city was established. According to the Queensland State Library, Turrbal Country covers Brisbane’s Northside, Pine River, Bribie Island, and parts of Greater Brisbane and Redcliffe whereas Yuggera Country covers Ipswich, Lockyer, Boonah, Brisbane Valley, Brisbane Western Suburbs, parts of Greater Brisbane, Esk, Fassifern Valley and Gatton. The Queensland government acknowledge both Yuggera people and the Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin. For more detailed information on Meanjin (Brisbane). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
"Warrang" has been documented as the Gadigal word for Sydney Harbour (Cove). Sydney metropolitan area is comprised of about 29 clan groups. Most of these clans refer to themselves collectively as the Eora Nation. The Gadigal are a clan of the Eora Nation. "Eora" means ‘here’ or ‘from this place’. Local Aboriginal people used the word to describe to colonisers where they come from. For more on Warrang (Sydney). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
Two language groups in Canberra claim custodianship of the lands and waterways around Canberra prompting the ACT government to adopt an interim Indigenous protocol in 2023. According to this ABC article (May 2023), the government acknowledge the "Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT while also recognising any other people or families with connection to the ACT and region." The Ngarigo people also have ties to Canberra's far-south suburbs. For more on Canberra. For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
Five Aboriginal clans comprise the Kulin nation. "Naarm" means 'place' in Woiwurrung (Woi-wurrung), the language of the Kulin nation. Melbourne's CBD is located on the sovereign lands of the Wurundjeri (Woi-wurrung) and Bunurong Boon Wurrung Peoples of the Eastern Kulin nation. For more on Naarm (Melbourne). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
"Nipaluna" names the place where the city of Hobart sits. For more on Nipaluna (Hobart). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
Connected to the Red Kangaroo Dreaming, "Tarndanya" refers to the location south of the Karrawirra Parri (Torrens River) covering what is now the site of Adelaide city. The Kaurna word directly translates as 'male red kangaroo rock', referring to an original rock formation on the site (sadly, now destroyed). For more on Tarndanya (Adelaide). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
Historian Neville Green (1933) in his book, 'Broken spears : Aborigines and Europeans in the southwest of Australi'a, documents "Boorloo" as a place name in the Moroo territory, one of four territories of the Whadjak Peoples. It extends north of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), across the Perth CBD and the north-west suburbs. The Whadjuk nation is a part of the Noongar peoples collective, a network of 13 or so similar linguistic groups covering south-west Western Australia. For more detailed information on Boorloo (Perth) and surrounding districts. For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
"Garramilla" translates as 'white rock' in the Larrakia language. It refers to the unique white stone cliff faces found around Darwin's beaches and harbour. Larrakia Country runs from the Cox peninsula in the west, to Gunn Point in the north, and the Adelaide River in the east, down to the Manton Dam area southwards. For more on Garramilla (Darwin). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map.
"Mparntwe" is Arrernte for 'Watering Place'. It refers to the waterhole in the Todd River located at the Old Telegraph Station on the northside of town. However, Mparntwe is now used to refer to the majority of the Alice Springs township. For more on Mparntwe (Alice Springs). For more nationally-focused information on Indigenous languages and placenames refer to the First Languages Australia or the AIATSIS maps. For more on pronunciation of some of the Indigenous placenames mentioned on this map