The Arakwal people of Byron Bay

September 20, 2025

The Bundjalung of Byron Bay – Arakwal Bumberlin people, have lived in the coastal landscape around the Byron Bay area for at least 22,000 years. They are one of over 500 Aboriginal tribes that co-habited Australia before European occupation. They are recognised as the Aboriginal Traditional Custodians of the Byron Bay district. Arakwal Country extends from Seven Mile Beach south of Broken Head to the Brunswick River up north, out to the escarpment west of Byron Bay, and east out into the Tasman Sea.

Around and beyond this area, Country is looked after by other Aboriginal traditional owners with which we have had close and interconnected relations for a long time. Byron Bay (Cavenbah) has always been an important meeting place for the Arakwal, neighbouring clans and people of the Bundjalung nation. The Arakwal people, together with neighbouring tribes and clans, make up part of the wider Bundjalung Nation. This nation extends to Grafton and the mighty Clarence River in the south, up north past Tweed River to the Nerang River in southern Queensland, and out west towards the Great Dividing.

The Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) was established in 1996. Its members are its people. Strengthening Aboriginal identity and culture, and ensuring efforts accord with cultural values, customs and practices are a major focus of the organisation. The corporation works in partnership with government, community groups, and business enterprises to protect and help manage the land and waters of our traditional Country, and to benefit our community through improved housing, health and wellbeing, training and work opportunities. They focus on:

Living and Working back on Country- including indigenous resource and co-management agreements; dealing with Native Title matters; reviewing land-use plans, strategies and development proposals; involvement in Land and Coastcare activities; working and caring for Arakwal National Park and the Cape Byron Marine Park; developing affordable housing for our community.
Maintaining Cultural Connection to Country- including revitalisation of cultural practices, developing and running cultural programs for our people and the wider community, as well as reconciliation activities and events.
Business and economic development– including education, training and employment strategies, developing and supporting businesses and work for our people, housing and better services for our elders and community.

Here are some activities hosted by the Arakwal for its community and the wider collective.

Join a guided tour by Delta Kay, a Bundjalung woman from Byron Bay who is passionate about sharing Aboriginal culture. Explore Byron Bay guests can expect to hear about Aboriginal existence before colonisation, including how Bundjalung people cared for and preserved the land. Delta also explains the devastating impact of settlement and displacement on her people and how her family eventually negotiated their Native Title.

Delta teaches some Bundjalung and provides information about local bush tucker, natural medicine, tools, weapons and artefacts. At the end of each tour, guests enjoy tasting a variety of delicious bush tucker foods and have nice cup of bush tea and a biscuit.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate our business, the Arakwal people and the greater Bundjalung Nation Homelands that extend across Northern NSW to Southeast Queensland with the Logan River as the northern boundary and the Lower Clarence River as the southern boundary.

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.