Aboriginal cultural interpretation can help visitors understand the continuing connections between people, Country, culture and place. Our work ranges from individual interpretive signs to larger projects developed with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal organisations and land managers.
These projects span Dharug, Yuin and Gumbaynggirr Country and demonstrate different approaches to interpreting cultural landscapes, rock art, traditional knowledge and more recent Aboriginal histories. Our role varies with each project, from research, writing and consultation to interpretation planning, mapping, illustration and interpretive signage design.
Maroota Historic Site, Aboriginal rock art sign
Located north-west of Sydney, Maroota Historic Site is an important Dharug cultural site containing more than 80 engraved motifs, grinding grooves and contact art, including the image of a sailing ship and a figure wearing a skirt.
TIDC designed an interpretive sign (1000mm wide x 500mm high) for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to help visitors recognise the cultural significance and remarkable Aboriginal rock art of the site.
Barlings Beach, Mogo
Declared an Aboriginal Place in 2000, Barlings Beach has important physical, cultural and spiritual values.
Working with Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council, TIDC developed two interpretive signs exploring the natural and cultural heritage of the area, including Aboriginal use of natural resources and changes in the landscape over time. The project combined research and story development with mapping and signage design.
Client: Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council
Year: 2016
Services: Research, writing, mapping and interpretive signage design
Deliverables: 2 signs, 900 × 600 mm
Gulaga Mountain
Gulaga is a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance to Yuin people. The mountain forms part of a wider cultural landscape that includes Baranguba, Najanuka and Wallaga Lake.
Commissioned by the Biamanga and Gulaga Boards of Management with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, TIDC developed interpretation exploring Gulaga’s cultural significance and connections across the landscape. Three signs were designed as a continuous interpretive panel, supported by wayfinding for the walking track.
Client: Biamanga and Gulaga Boards of Management with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Year: 2014
Services: Research, themes and story development, stakeholder consultation, writing, mapping, illustration and design
Deliverables: 3 interpretive panels and wayfinding signage
Gumbaynggirr history, Coffs Harbour
Interpretive signs at Fitzroy Oval tell part of the more recent history of Gumbaynggirr people in Coffs Harbour, connecting people, landscapes and cultural values through stories of the area since colonisation.
Originally commissioned in 2013, the three Aboriginal heritage signs were subsequently updated for Coffs Harbour City Council in 2023 and installed in a new location. The project demonstrates how interpretation can make Aboriginal history visible within contemporary public places and strengthen understanding of their continuing cultural significance.
Client: Coffs Harbour City Council
Year: 2013, subsequently updated
Services: Interpretive signage design
Deliverables: 3 interpretive signs
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