Do any Aboriginal trails still exist that people walk on?

[David M]

Subject says it all...

[Scottyk]

I think some of the Tasmanian tracks were based on original Aboriginal trails. Chapman mentions the Port Davey track as an example

[icefest]

I thought the overland track was one such way too...

[David M]

I suppose Aborigines were also the original extreme ultralighters. Does anyone know a typical weight of their kit?

[slparker]

In Tasmania:
South-west track, definitely, although the track went south of the ironbound range, not over. There were tracks following the coast up to NW tas and possibly somewhat inland as well as george Augustus Robinson went inland to the Athur range (and climbed a peak in the arthurs) when he was searching for aboriginal bands in the 1830s.
Overland track, probably - there are archeological deposits up both the mersey and Forth rivers as well as along the northern rim of the tiers. Local legend tells of it but I have not read of any evidence of an aboriginal track. trappers used tracks up from the valleys in the 188002/1900s into the western tiers which, it is reasonable to assume, followed established tracks by aborigines, since there is archeological evidence of occupation.


lake highway and over the western tiers down to bothwell was an aboriginal track (now a road, of course)
from the midlands past dry's bluff to the gog range was a track
along the base of the tiers, up the lake river (behind Miller's bluff) to den hill and interlaken
down the present interlaken road, across the midlands and up the eastern tiers to Tooms lake and down the coal river to the coast were aboriginal roads as well.

From what i understand there were open areas kept clear of bush by burning that weren't specifically tracks but were migratory pathways/hunting grounds - and they pretty much were consistent with today's major settled areas. An exception is the south-west, which shows evidence of burning and long occupation by aboriginal tasmanians but has no substantial settlement now.

Controversially, it's pretty much a fiction that there is any wilderness in tasmania. Wild, yes, but untouched by human hand or occupation - no.

[climberman]

If you're walking on a route that's the easiest way from somewhere to somewhere else, then probably.

[walkerchris77]

I suppose Aborigines were also the original extreme ultralighters. Does anyone know a typical weight of their kit?

bit hard to answer that. Depends on what they were doing, what they were carrying and where thay were going

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I remember reading at new Pelion hut about the button grass plains. The geography is such that it should be rainforest like the other side of Frog Flats. The button grass plains near Pelion are there because of regular and deliberate burns by the Aborigines.

The burning was to attract animals for hunting, and to make travelling between regions easier.

[walkerchris77]

Dont do any burnings now the greenies will jump up and down. Lol
they knew what they were doing with the use of fire.

[Wollemi]

Yes.

1. Farm Cove - Elizabeth Street - Botany Rd.

2. Regent Street - alongside the present-day Alexandra Canal - Airport Drive - M5 East Motorway.
Although one is not allowed to walk on Sydney's motorways, so in this example, the Aboriginal trail is lost, or truncated.

3. Oxford Street - Anzac Parade - Bunnerong Rd - La Perouse.
An Aboriginal trail still existing that can be of great interest and diversity (but little biodiversity) to walk along still.

Probably walked on by Europeans S2N prior to the First Fleet leaving Botany Bay, inhabited by the Cadigal people, for Port Jackson - which was inhabited by the Eora people. Definitely these routes were walked during January 1788, along corridors comprising of low rises that my three nominated 9km trails/walks suggest.

[walkerchris77]

Around the base of ayers rock and up it. I would think the route up the rock would be the same they used. (Easiest way). I could be wrong. My next door neighbour and good mate is aboriginal ill ask if tomorrow. We are due for a catch up beer.

[Ellobuddha]

Down the South Coast of NSW i believe there is some tracks.

I wont elaborate as Im unsure of much more. They are currently doing a lot of work to open them up. I believe they will go from South of Eden up to the Snowy area.

Will get some more info.

[Ellobuddha]

Here tis.

Some really nice country through there.

http://www.bundianway.com.au/bundian_way.htm

[Hallu]

A lot of tarmac took place, a lot of trees were removed. It would be interested to document and preserve the remaining routes. Especially in Tasmania, where those routes, middens, ancien tools/grooves and art are all that's left.

[madmacca]

Here tis.

Some really nice country through there.

http://www.bundianway.com.au/bundian_way.htm

Thanks for the awesome link!!

[johnnymacfnq]

Some of the trails in Barron Gorge NP QLD do.