Gudjekbinj (Baby Dreaming) is in Western Arnhem Land, 350 kms from Darwin, and it is the home of baby spirits. The traditional custodians now want to share this beautiful country with visitors. See map.

Baby spirits live at Gudjekbinj, some in waterholes where they sometimes leave tiny footprints in the sand. Others inhabit little red termite mounds on a hill near the outstation. Then there is Lost Baby Dreaming, a picturesque patch of pandanus, for babies who haven't found mothers.

Baby spirits protect and feed their mothers, thus reflecting the important role that reciprocity on the part of all play in Kunwinjku family life. Young children learn to care for older relatives, but also for babies, the latter role acknowledged with the title of ' little daddy' or 'little mummy'.

Older people are also revered by the Kunwinjku. Indeed among them it is a compliment to be called 'old lady'!

Among the sandstone are little rock shelters, the homes of 'old' people now long gone.

Ancient paintings are also found here, the precursors of the Kunwinjku people's famous X-ray paintings which are represented in major galleries throughout the world. They are on sale at the outstation, along with weaving and didgeridoos.

Photo Courtesy of Prospero Productions

Gudjekbinj is heaven for anyone interested in natural history. About 200 bird species are recorded from the area including the sought after Banded Fruit-dove, Black-tailed Treecreeper and White-lined Honeyeater. The huge Oenpelli Python lives in the rocks as does the endemic Black Wallaroo, and a couple of species of rock-wallaby. There are butterflies such as the rare blue 'Adaluma urumelia'. Late in the year the gorgeous lolly pink flowers of Andardjek, (Grevillea goodii) form a carpet in the open forest.

Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow birding/natural history guide, author and adopted sister of Mrs. Nganjmirra and Esther Maralngurra, the senior custodians, has been asked to handle the operation and organise publicity and training. *Mrs. Nganjmirra is deceased so we cannot use her first name in these documents.

Denise and the traditional custodians will be working with operators selected for ethical considerations, one being the Darwin company Venture North. Christine Gee, co-founder of World Expeditions, and media consultant (Earth Summit, Bridgeclimb, Aurora Expeditions, the space tourism project, USA etc) is giving a helping hand as is Earthfoot, an American website which received a UN award for services to cultural tourism in 2001.

Gudjekbinj (Baby Dreaming) is a gentle place. Here people of different racial backgrounds are one family, and all treat one another with respect.

EarthFoot.org lists very small scale, locally produced, low-impact, customizable ecotours around the world. From any program page you can e-mail a host to discuss your interests and needs. This link takes you to the Baby Dreaming page at Earthfoot.

See also: Sustainable Travel International (Once there select Australia, click submit button, and then select Baby Dreaming Project)