East+Alligator+Area


 * Ubirr Art Site

These are the three main art sites at Ubirr ****Main Gallery** Because the rock overhang was an area where an aboriginal family could set up camp, items were often painted on the wall. They would use food to paint these images either to These are several examples of the animals painted on the rock. Barramundi, catfish, goannas, long-necked turtles, pig nosed turtles, rock ringtail possums, and wallabies. This is the story of the Namarrgarn Sisters told at Ubirr. The two sisters spent a great deal of time playing and talking together-they were good friends. One day, while they were sitting and chatting by a billabong, one of the sisters decided to go for a walk. When she got to the end of the billabong she jumped into the water and changed into a crocodile. She swam back under the water to where her sister was sitting and leapt out, terrifying her. Out of sight, she changed back to herself and returned to where her sister sat. She was so amused when her sister told of being frightened by a crocodile that she played the trick over and over again. One day the sister who had been tricked so many times realised the truth and decided to retaliate by playing the same trick on her sister. Over and over the Namarrgarn Sisters played the trick on each other, until one day they realised that if they changed into crocodiles permanently they could eat anything or anybody they liked. They went to a freshwater spring near the mouth of the East Alligator River. An old man heard of their intention to become crocodiles and chased after them to stop them, but it was too late. The palms that are found around the spring grew from the teeth the sisters pulled from their mouths and planted in the earth. Rainbow snakes are known throughout Australia to Aboriginal people as powerful Ancestors. This is the story taught to children about the rainbow snake. A child was crying for sweet lily root. That evening the mother gave the child sour lily root because she could not find any sweet ones. This caused the child to cry even more, all night. In the morning there was a sudden gust of wind and the people felt cold, a sign that the Rainbow Serpent was near. The Rainbow Serpent rushed into the camp, trapping everyone with her huge coiled body and eating most of them, including the crying child. The moral of the story is that crying children should be cared for and comforted. Generally, in an extended family there is always a mother, father, brother or sister to comfort a crying child. As children grow older they may be taught about the path the Rainbow Serpent took, her connection to the land, her spirituality, and the ceremonies, dances and songs that relate to her. The stories, paintings and features in the landscape are interlinked and are reminders of the moral and ethical codes of Aboriginal culture.
 * pay respect to the animal in which the food was from
 * ensure future hunting success or
 * represent a noteworthy catch
 * Namarrgarn Sisters**
 * Rainbow Serpent

Walking Tracks

The Ubirr Walk (dry season only) Walking past many interesting Aboriginal rock art sites, this circular walk takes you to the top of a rocky lookout. From this point, you can see superb views (particularly at sunset). **Easy Walk | 1km | 1 hour

This walk takes you past Catfish Creek floodplains, billabongs, and the East Alligator River. The walk starts at Bardedjilidji in Ubirr.
 * The Sandstone and River Walk (dry season only)**
 * Easy Walk | 6.5km | 4 hours**

Scenic flights, boat and 4WD tours are available.

This is a map showing the East Alligator Area.

-Helen