Adnoartina is a sacred ancestral deity from Australian Aboriginal mythology, taking the form of a gecko lizard. It is revered in Dreamtime narratives and credited with the creation of Uluru. The deity continues to influence art, music, and ceremonial practices in Aboriginal culture.

Adnoartina

Akurra is a great snake deity in the mythology of the Adnyamathanha people of South Australia. Depicted as a giant water snake with a beard mane, scales, and sharp fangs, it is revered for its ability to shape the land and control water. Its association with shamanic power and ritual rainmaking underscores its vital role in indigenous cultural traditions.

Akurra

Arkaroo is a mythological serpent from Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime that drained Lake Frome and shaped the landscape of the northern Flinders Ranges. He retreated for a nap in the mountains, leaving behind waterholes with each resting spot. Ancient rumblings attributed to his movements are now scientifically explained as natural seismic activity.

Arkaroo

Bobbi-Bobbi is a mythological giant serpent from the Binbinga Dreamtime of northern Australia. He initially aided humans by creating essential resources like flying foxes and the boomerang. Following a tragic misadventure that introduced death to humanity, he retreated to the heavens, ceasing further intervention.

Bobbi-Bobbi

The bunyip is a mysterious water monster from Aboriginal mythology, said to haunt the swamps and billabongs of southeastern Australia. Its elusive nature and varying descriptions have captured the imagination of many. Often portrayed as a fearsome yet enigmatic creature, the bunyip remains a subject of fascination in traditional lore.

Bunyip

Chinny-kinik is a dreaded cannibal giant from Australian Aboriginal mythology who terrorised the Yenpulla plain east of the Murray River in South Australia. He once took refuge in a vast cave, only to be trapped by his own uncles using a fire barricade. His legend endures as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked violence and familial retribution.

Chinny-kinik

Daramulum is a sky hero from south-east Australian Aboriginal mythology, uniquely depicted with one leg, one arm, an emu-back, and a large foot. His celestial association is marked by his representation through the Southern Cross and his communication via a bullroarer during sacred ceremonies. Revered as both a divine messenger and a shapeshifter, he embodies the connection between the sky and the bush.

Daramulum

Dhakhan is an ancestral spirit from Gubbi Gubbi mythology, manifesting as a giant serpent with the tail of a giant fish. He travels as a rainbow between sacred waterholes, symbolizing his connection to both the physical and spiritual realms. As the creator of snakes and serpents inhabiting these waterholes, Dhakhan holds a pivotal role in his people's natural and mythological order.

Dhakhan

Dirawong is an ancestral goanna being from Bundjalung mythology who taught humans essential survival skills and ceremonial practices. It is revered as a benevolent protector against the Rainbow Serpent and a creator of significant landforms. Transformed into the Goanna Headland, Dirawong is also associated with rain and sacred rituals.

Dirawong

The Djang'kawu are revered creation ancestors from the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land, Australia. They hold a central place in Aboriginal Dreamtime mythology as foundational creators of land and law. Also known as Djanggawul or Djan'kawu, they embody spiritual power and cultural identity.

Djang'kawu

Eingana, also known as the Dreamtime Snake, is a creator goddess in Australian Aboriginal mythology. She is revered as the mother of all water animals and humans. With a sinew connecting her to every living being, she wields the power to both create life and administer death.

Eingana

Garkain is a legendary creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology that haunts the dense jungles along the Liverpool River in the Northern Territory. He is known for swooping down on his leathery wings to ambush unwary travellers. His fearsome reputation and cannibalistic habits serve as a cautionary tale to discourage physical violence.

Garkain

The hoop snake is a legendary, serpentine creature from North American folklore known for its unique ability to coil its body into a hoop and roll at high speeds. It is prominently featured in the Pecos Bill stories and has been sighted in various regions across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Its mysterious and unusual behavior continues to captivate the imagination of folklore enthusiasts.

Hoop snake

The Inapertwa are ancestral, primordial beings in Arrernte mythology, serving as the original models from which all earthly life was formed. They were utilised by the creator Numakulla to shape plants, animals, birds, and humans. Their legacy endures in the totems of the Arrernte, symbolising deep cultural connections with the Dreamtime.

Inapertwa

The ipilja-ipilja is a colossal mythological gecko revered and feared by the Anindilyakwa people of Australia. It is credited with creating rain and thunder through its seasonal rituals in the sacred Numarika swamp. With its vividly coloured, long-haired form and powerful roar, it stands as a local counterpart to the Rainbow Serpent.

Ipilja-ipilja

I'wai is a celebrated culture hero from Australian Aboriginal mythology known for his crocodilian form and his role in establishing the Koko Y'ao religious rites. He embodies a unique fusion of human intellect and the raw power of a crocodile. His legacy continues to influence the cultural and spiritual practices of his people.

I'wai

Kinie Ger is a malevolent half-man, half-quoll creature from Southeastern Australia. Known for his brutal spear-hunting of the innocent, he embodies the darker aspects of nature. His legend ends in a fatal ambush, serving as a cautionary tale in local mythology.

Kinie Ger

Kondole is a mythological figure from Australian Aboriginal lore who transformed from a mean and selfish man into the first whale. His spear‐wound, which formed his blowhole, marks the pivotal moment of his transformation. His story serves both as a creation myth explaining the origin of whales and as a cautionary tale about communal responsibility.

Kondole

Malingee is a nocturnal malignant spirit from Australian Aboriginal mythology. It is recognised by its stone knees that scrape together and smouldering, coal-like eyes. Although it prefers avoiding humans, it becomes brutally violent when provoked.

Malingee

Mangar-kunjer-kunja is a revered lizard ancestral being in Arrernte mythology, credited with the creation of humans. He is known for separating fused ancestral beings and bestowing essential cultural tools upon them. His actions laid the foundations for social structure and continue to influence Arrernte spiritual practice.

Australian Indigenous Creatures