The D'harawal Country and language area extends from the:
- southern shores of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to the northern shores of the Shoalhaven River
- eastern shores of the Wollondilly River system to the eastern seaboard.
D'harawal seasons
These are the seasons of the D'harawal calendar.
Time of Burran

Male kangaroos become aggressive during the Time of Burran
January to March
Season indicators
- Gadalung Marool – hot and dry
- Male kangaroos aggressive
- Meat forbidden
- Weetjellan blooming
Male kangaroos become quite aggressive in this season. It's a sign that eating meat is forbidden during this time. This is a health factor because the heat means meat doesn't keep and there's a risk of food poisoning.
The blooming of the weetjellan (lightwood) is an important sign that fires must not be lit unless they are well away from bushland and on sand only. It's also a sign that there will be violent storms and heavy rain, so camping near creeks and rivers is not recommended.
Time of Marrai'gang
April to June
Season indicators
- Bana'murrai'yung – wet becoming cooler
- Quolls seeking mates
- Lilly pilly ripens
It's the time of year when the cries of the marrai'gang (quoll) seeking his mate can be heard through the forests and woodlands, and when the lilly pillies ripen on the trees.
When the lilly pillies start to fall, however, it's time to mend the old, warm cloaks from last cold season or make new ones and begin the yearly trek to the coastal areas.
Time of Burrugin

The Time of Burrugin is burrugin (echidna) mating season
June to late July
Season indicators
- Tugarah Tuli – cold, frosty, short days
- Echidna seeking mates
- Burringoa flowering
- Shellfish forbidden
This is the time when the male burrugin (echidna) forms lines of up to 10 as they follow the female through the woodlands in an effort to wear her down and mate with her. It's also when the burringoa (Forest Red Gum) flowers, indicating it's time to collect the nectar of certain plants for ceremonies taking place next season.
It's also a warning not to eat shellfish again until the boo'kerrikin blooms.
Time of Wiritjiribin
August
Season indicators
- Tugarah Gunya'marri – cold and windy
- Lyrebird building mounds
- Marrai'uo flowering
- Boo'kerrikin flowering
- Gentle spring rains
The lyrebird's calls ring out through the bushland as he builds his dancing mounds to attract his potential mates. The marrai'uo (Gossamer Wattle) flowers, which is a sign fish are swimming in the rivers.
Time of Ngoonungi

During the Time of Ngoonungi, flying foxes can be seen flying in the evening sky
September to October
Season indicators
- Murrai'yunggory – cool, getting warmer
- Flying foxes appear
- Ceremonial time
- Miwa gawaian in flower
Ngoonungi is known as time of the gathering of the flying foxes. It’s a magical time of year when the flying foxes gather in the darkening skies over D'harawal Lands. They come in from the north-east, the north, the north-west and the west, and swirl over the Sydney area in a wonderful, sky-dancing display just after sunset. Then, they set off for the nighttime feeding grounds to the south.
It's also a very important ceremonial time for the D'harawals, which begins with the blooming of the bright red miwa gawaian (New South Wales Waratah) in the bushland.
Time of Parra'dowee
November to December
Season indicators
- Goray'murrai – warm and wet
- Summer heat starts
- Stable weather
This season begins with the Great Eel Spirit calling his children to him. The eels, which are ready to mate, make their way down the rivers and creeks to the ocean.
The blooming of the kai'arrewan (Coast Myall) indicates the occurrence of fish in the bays and estuaries.
Permission
Permission to host the D'harawal seasonal calendar is granted by the D'harawal Traditional Knowledge holders and Descendants Circle.
Copyright
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