Walganha and Wilgie Mia Concept Design and Tourism Framework
The Walganha (Walga Rock) and Wilgie Mia Concept Design and Tourism Framework project marks an early step towards a long-term vision to establish an Aboriginal-owned and managed tourism enterprise on culturally significant land. UDLA collaborated with the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation to develop a strategic framework that centred on community aspirations for the protection and enhancement of these important sites.
The sites hold deep cultural significance:
Walganha is a vast monolith with one of
Western Australia’s largest publicly accessible
collections of Aboriginal rock art, while Wilgie Mia
and its surrounds are closely linked to Wajarri
creation stories. Protected and restricted since 1973,
the site gained further legal recognition through
Native Title determinations in 2017–18.
As part of the project, UDLA facilitated a collaborative process to explore community aspirations for the protection and enhancement of these important sites. On-Country workshops were central to defining the project’s design principles. They enabled the Wajarri community to clearly outline how these internationally significant places should be protected, managed, and how this process will support community outcomes. The overall framework reflects Wajarri cultural values and lays the groundwork for future Wajarri-led land management and cultural tourism.
The project’s engagement process uncovered four agreed-upon principles to guide the entire project: Country and Culture First; Caring for Country; Strong Wajarri Future; and Shared Understanding.
The facilities will interpret local stories, science and landscape, creating a compelling visitor offer that supports local employment, small business, education and community events. The project’s ‘wide-net, light-touch’ approach ensures adaptability and modularity, making it scalable and financially sustainable.
Concept Detail Plan - Walganha
The Walganha concept masterplan proposes new infrastructure to enable Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation to manage the site and deliver a culturally responsive tourism experience. Key elements include the ‘Walganha Gallery’, upgraded paths, revegetation, wayfinding, and a temporary rock protection structure. Facilities will include strategically located entry points, access roads, parking, a ranger station, toilets, a day-use picnic area, a Traditional Owner camping area with amenities, and a separate public campsite.
Wilgie Mia Stage 1 Functional Diagram
Wilgie Mia is the world’s oldest known ochre mine, with continuous use dating back some 30,000 years. In recent decades, however, the site has been heavily impacted by industrial-scale ochre extraction, leaving it scarred and in poor condition. Despite this, the cultural value of Wilgie Mia remains strong. The design approach calls for minimal intervention to preserve the site’s sacredness while allowing ongoing cultural visitation and providing a respectful, Wajarri-led tourism experience.
This project marks an early step in a broader long-term vision. The resulting strategic framework supported a successful 2022 application for a Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant to establish cultural tourism experiences, including guided visits to Walga Rock and Wilgie Mia. The ongoing initiative will continue to develop self-sustaining, Wajarri-owned tourism and land management enterprises across Wajarri Country.
Details:
Client: Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation
Aboriginal Country: Wajarri Yamaji Country
Location: Wield Range, Murchison, Western Australia
Lead Consultant: UDLA
Collaborators: Mid West Development Corporation (MWDC), Tourism WA, & LVF Studio
Dates: 2021-22
Images: UDLA & LVF Studio
