Ngarrabullgan: A Registered Cultural and National Heritage Site
The Queensland Government formally registers Ngarrabullgan as “The Mount Mulligan Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Area” under its Aboriginal heritage legislation (Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2006 (Qld)) in 2006. It was further added to the national heritage list on 12th of May 2011.
Ngarrabullgan, also known as Mount Mulligan, is a massive table-top mountain in northern Queensland, Australia, with profound cultural and spiritual significance to the Djungan people. They believe the mountain is inhabited by the malevolent spirit Eekoo and approach it with caution, rarely camping on its summit. Archaeological evidence indicates Aboriginal people lived on the mountain for over 37,000 years but stopped about 600 years ago, aligning with Djungan beliefs. A gold rush and coal mining brought outside contact and disruption to the Djungan way of life, leading to tragic consequences, including a devastating mining explosion in 1921. Ngarrabullgan is a focal point of Djungan culture and heritage. Indigenous consultation is essential when considering actions that may impact the mountain’s cultural significance.
http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/ngarrabullgan