Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area joint management program

Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area is on the traditional lands of the Gamilaroi, Kamilaroi, Gamilaraay or Gomeroi People. It’s a deeply special place for traditional custodians that protects ceremonial sites, art sites, tool-making areas, burial sites, hunting grounds and places they’ve lived on for thousands of years. The local community and Gamilaroi, Kamilaroi, Gamilaraay or Gomeroi descendants actively manage the area with NPWS. This partnership helps to preserve and strengthen their culture, identity and connection to Country.

Joint management of Country

In 2009, NPWS and the Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area Joint Management Committee agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It applies to the joint management and conservation of 15,382ha in Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area near Moree.

The MoU recognises that: 

• parks play an important role in protecting Aboriginal culture and connection to Country
• there are cultural, social and economic benefits for Aboriginal communities involved in park management
• access to national parks provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to preserve spiritual and cultural activities
• working with the Aboriginal community helps NPWS protect and understand cultural sites and artefacts, and apply traditional land management practices
• connecting with Aboriginal people and understanding Aboriginal culture enriches visitor experiences.

A plan of management was adopted in 2020 to continue the protection of significant Aboriginal site values, cultural values and natural values.

Educational focus

Education programs at Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area allow teachers and students to learn about Gamilaroi, Kamilaroi, Gamilaraay or Gomeroi history, language and culture. NPWS and the joint management committee also aim to provide more educational opportunities for schools and the wider community by developing the Terry Hie Hie Cultural Centre.

All visitors can learn from interpretive signs that describe parts of the area and include descriptions for cultural links to the land.

Learn more and plan your visit to Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area.