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Find out more about the features, attractions and landscapes of Penrith Valley.

Aboriginal Heritage

Penrith Valley is the homeland of the Dharug people, who occupied much of the Sydney area from the coast into the Blue Mountains. Today many Aboriginal people live in western Sydney and provide opportunities for exploring Aboriginal culture.

Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Muru Mittigar means 'pathway to friends' in the Dharug language and the centre provides a meeting place for cultural sharing. Local Aboriginal people work here and learn about their heritage. The centre is also open to non-Aboriginal people who want to know more about local Aboriginal culture. The Cultural Museum showcases the art, stories, and artefacts of the Dharug people, as well as the diversity of Aboriginal cultures throughout Australia. See Aboriginal dance performances, learn about Aboriginal art and painting materials, hear the didgeridoo, try bush tucker and find out about boomerangs. Located on Castlereagh Road at Castlereagh (near Penrith Whitewater Stadium), the award-winning centre is open Monday to Saturday and Sunday by arrangement (02 4729 2377). Fees apply to activities.
Red Hands Cave (Blue Mountains NP)
This Dharug rock art site in the Glenbrook section of Blue Mountains National Park is the main Aboriginal heritage site open to the public. It shows extensive panels of hand stencils and other motifs, and is reached by a short walking track from Red Hands Cave Road or a 3 km walk from the Glenbrook Creek causeway. Hundreds of other sites found throughout the bushland of the lower Blue Mountains demonstrate this was, and remains, an important area for Aboriginal people.