Blue Lake

BLUE LAKE

“Karboora“

Blue Lake is an area of special cultural significance for Quandamooka people who call the lake Karboora, meaning ‘deep silent pool’. The Blue Lake area is within the Naree Budjong Djara National Park. Please enjoy the experience and leave only footprints. Walk the 5.2km (return) track to the lake through wallum woodlands, flowering heath, and stunted eucalypts. Wear good walking shoes, take a hat and water. Medium level of fitness required.

History
Is one of the 2 largest and most sacred lakes on the island. Both Kaboora and Bummiera are acknowledged as being the home of an extraordinarily huge carpet snake – jargon snake spirit yuri Kabool. Its spirit resides in both lakes with the jargon attributed to being able to travel from one lake to another. Kaboora is the main resting place of jargon, and even though the water continually flows out everyday, the level of sacred water stays the same. Kaboora and its jargon were, to the Quandamooka people, a very special place of cultural significance. The old people cationed those that swam and skied on the lakes, so sacred were these lakes that old people would not approach them without a special acknowledgment. Many visitors go into these areas without a thought, but traditionally these lakes were approached with a sense of reverence, cation, respect and even fear. The Elders would always sing out in lingo before they went any further, standing back a fair way to see if there was a sign, before approaching closer to the lakes. If the waters were calm it was a sign that it was okay to proceed, but if there were any ripples or disturbances, it was a warning from jargon not to come any further. To the community, it was a ritual to stop, call out and observe, and the practice gave acknowledgment and respect to the lakes and yuri Kabool that lived there. From Quandamooka Dreaming, by Sandra Delany

nprsr.qld.gov.au

Address: North Stradbroke Island, QLD 4183