Canberra Aboriginal History

Prior to the arrival of European Settlers, the Australian Capital Country was inhabited by Indigenous Australians, who are believed to have occupied the land for thousands of years.

Archaeological evidence has been found to prove the existence of these people, including stone tools, rock shelters, engravings, paintings, burial sites, and camp sites.

The main tribe occupying the region were the Ngunnawal people, with the Ngarigo and Walgulu tribes in the South, Gandangara to the north, Wandandian to the East, and the Wiradjuri people in the North-West.

When white settlers arrived they knew the local Aboriginal people as Kamberra', 'Kghambury', 'Nganbra' and 'Gnabra', which shares some resemblance to ‘Canberra’ – the name eventually given to the new capital.

The indigenous population decreased significantly after the arrival of the European settlers, which was largely due to diseases such as smallpox and measles.