Featuring lighting, landscaping and culturally significant canoe seating, the Borun & Tuk Walk tells the creation story of the Gunaikurnai people, the traditional owners of Gippsland.

The Gunaikurnai comprises five clans: Brataualung, Tatungalung, Brayakaulung, Brabralung and Krauatungalung. The creation story helps to explain the bonds the Gunaikurnai have to their country and reminds us that their ancestors are still watching over this landscape today.

‍

Creation Story

The story of our creation starts with Borun, the Pelican, who traversed our Country from the mountains in the north to the place called Tarra Warackel in the south.

As Borun travelled down the mountains, he could hear a constant tapping sound, but couldn't identify the sound or where it was coming from.

Tap, tap, tap.

He traversed the cliffs and mountains and forged his way through the forests.

Tap, tap, tap.

He followed the river systems across of Country and created songlines and storylines as he went.

Tap, tap, tap.

He walked on alone and when he got down into the deeper inlets near Tarra Warackel (now known as Port Albert) he put down his canoe and, much to his surprise, there was a woman in it. She was Tuk, the musk duck.

Borun was very happy to see Tuk, and they married and became the mother and father of the five clans, the creator of Gunaikurnai.

‍

Can you find Borun's footprints in the path, and can you find where Tuk's tiny footprints meet up with Borun's when she came down from the canoe?

‍

‍