NAIDOC Week is a time to come together and recognise the histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Here in the Blue Mountains, it’s also a time to listen deeply, learn more and reflect on the legacy of the Gundungurra and Darug peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the region, whose stories, knowledge and care continue to shape this sacred place.

Image: David Hill, Deep Hill Media

Growing up, Stefanie Habal never felt she belonged.

Just off the Great Western Highway near the village of Leura, where the World Heritage-listed national park meets the community, east meets the oldest continuous culture on earth in a yin and yang of harmony, kinship and respect.

A former school on 12ha of natural Australian bushland within the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, Sinofield Edu-Retreat is a gem hidden in plain sight.

Grace. Humility. Wisdom. Community. Responsibility. Service.

You don’t just become an Aboriginal Elder by reaching a certain age.

In the mid-19^th century, the village of Hartley, just beyond the winding descent of Victoria Pass, was the most significant administrative centre west of the Blue Mountains, its stately Courthouse a symbol of its importance in the colonial judicial system. Perfectly preserved and looking like a ready-made film set, this quaint little collection of cottages and churches is today managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, with a self-guided tour and interpretive signage bringing history to life.