Mununja the Butterfly Garden depicts a dreamtime story of the Ngunnawal people, the custodians of the land that includes Canberra and the site of the National Arboretum.
The layout, colour and shapes of the garden reference the geometric scales on butterfly wings, in particular the Orchard swallowtail butterfly (Papilio aegeus), and the Common crow butterfly (Euploea core), both found along the east coast of Australia.
Plants have been selected to provide habitat and food for butterflies, and for their cultural significance, with an emphasis on plants that grow naturally in the ACT and surrounds.
The garden provides private contemplative spaces, space for functions, and most importantly, opportunities for cultural dialogue and education.
Generously donated by the Mackay and Waldren Families
Designed by Jim Fogarty for Garawana Creative
Constructed by Able Landscaping Pty Ltd in 2017
Opened 2 April 2017
Mununja the Butterfly is the story of a young Aboriginal girl who was changed into a butterfly so that she could avoid marrying the evil Gunga. Gunga possessed great powers and would always prevent Mununja from marrying the boy she loved. With the help of Narja, the good spirit butterfly, Mununja was able to remain near her family and her country forever, as a beautiful butterfly.
Set on the banks of the Burrinjuck River, the characters and landscape celebrate the diversity of plant and animal species in the environment before non-indigenous people settled there. The story of Mununja has been told for generations and will continue to be told for many more.
The story of Mununja the Butterfly, as told by Ngunnawal elder Don Bell, has been provided by Tyronne Bell. Other traditional custodians have also been consulted to ensure appropriate depiction of cultural intellectual property, via Charles Solomon at Garawana Creative.
- Exposed aggregate paths to depict the limestone plains of the Canberra surrounds. These limestone plains are made of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, limestone, siltstone and shale), laid down 460 million years ago when the region was under the sea.
- A striking shade structure built using solid timber posts and beams, referencing the body of a butterfly as well as providing a shady place to sit.
- Two floating butterfly seats, painted to match the Common crow butterfly wings.
- Central lawn multi-purpose open space.
- Mounded side lawns adding a three‐dimensional aspect to the shapes.
- Raised steel planters mulched with local stone to create architectural texture
Trees and shrubs | Acacia dealbata Allocasuarina verticillata Bursaria spinose Callistemon sieberi Grevillea arenaria Indigofera australis Philotheca myoporoides Westringia fruticosa |
Accent plants and ground covers | Dianella revolute Gahnia siberiana Grevillea lanigera Hardenbergia violacea Lomandra longifolia Myoporum parvifolium Wahlenbergia gloriosa Muehlenbeckia complexa |