Bush Tucker Eco Walk
Quandamooka Country
The region and indigenous people of Moreton Bay and its islands are referred to as Quandamooka. These include the Ngugi tribe on Moreton Island and the Gorenpul and Nunukul clans on North Stradbroke Island. The Aboriginal name for Moreton Island is Moorgumpin meaning “place of sandhills”.
For 50,000 years the Aborigines of Australia relied on plants and animals for food, medicines, shelter, tools and clothing. The Ngugi people lived on Moreton Island for over 2,000 years. They relied heavily on resources from the sea, with fish, shellfish, dugong and turtle making up a major portion of their diet. This marine-based lifestyle was supplemented by plant foods and honey. There are approximately 64 edible plant species on the Island.
The Ngugi people’s connection with the land and sea has a strong spiritual basis and some animals are strongly linked with traditions and customs.
Fishing
The Ngugi tribe had a deep connection with nature and would look for signs to tell them of certain events that were about to take place such as the arrival of fish in the Bay. Mullet are migratory fish and the Ngugi had three signs that told them of the arrival of mullet:
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Lorikeet parrots visit the island
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Caterpillars at the base of coastal wattles
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Paperbark trees in flower
The Ngugi had a special way of hunting fish cooperatively with the dolphins! The men would wade into the water, slapping their spears onto the surface. This sound would bring in the dolphins, herding schools of fish into the shallows towards the men. The Ngugi would then catch the fish using nets made from bark fibres. They always threw part of the catch back in for the dolphins to eat!
Mosquito Plant
Cross between South-African geranium and Chinese citronella grass. Crushing the leaves releases scented oils that repel insects.
Blue Flax Lily
There are over 26 different varieties of this lily all ranging in colour and taste. This one has a beautiful blue/purple colour and tastes very similar to a green pea.
Mat Rush / Lomandra
Leaves are incredibly strong and were used by indigenous people for weaving baskets and mats. The tiny cream flowers were soaked for nectar and also eaten. The core of the leaf can be chewed to release starch and reduce hunger pains.
Lilly Pilly
The brightly coloured pink berries are high in vitamin C. One of the few documented plants to be cultivated by Aborigines. Commonly made into Lilly Pilly jam.
Cabbage Tree Palm
Leaves were used in many different ways, weaved into mats, as roof-thatching, umbrella or a big fan in hot dry summer months.
Pandanus
Seeds are high in oil. Fruit flesh was soaked to make a drink and the inner core used to treat stomach-complaints and head-aches. Leaves were also shredded to make string.
Midyim
This shrub is a bird attractant that produces edible white berries with black speckles that taste like eucalypt marshmallows.
Silver Aspen / Cinnamon Myrtle
The leaves were crushed and used as a spice to flavour meat or fish during cooking.
Coastal Tea-Tree
Leaves can be soaked in water to make a sweet lemony tasting tea. Tea tree oils have medicinal including antiseptic properties.
Coastal Banksia
Big yellow flowers, laden with nectar, soaked in water to produce a sweet drink. Wood used to make boomerangs. Seed pots used as fire starters as they catch fire easily but burn for a long time.
Stinky Passionfruit
South-American creeper vine. Break outer casing of yellow / orange fruit to expose fleshy pulp inside that can be eaten.
Red Ash Soap Tree
Leaves contain Saponin, which clogs the gills of fish. Throwing the leaves into a lake was used as a way to kill and catch fish. Leaves also lather in water just like soap, which could be used for cleaning.
Traveller’s Palm
Not a true palm, related to the bird-of-paradise family (introduced). Leaves fan out in a north-south direction, like a biological compass. The sealed sheaths at the base of the palm can contain up to two litres of water.