Australia has gained UNESCO World Heritage recognition for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape—home to one of the world’s oldest and most extensive collections of Indigenous rock art. Located on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia, the site contains over one million petroglyphs, some estimated to be up to 50,000 years old. UNESCO’s designation affirms the site’s global cultural significance and ensures stronger legal protections under Australian heritage laws. This is only the second time an Australian site has been inscribed purely for its Aboriginal cultural value, following the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Victoria.
The listing follows initial objections from UNESCO’s advisory body, which had raised concerns about potential damage to the rock art from nearby industrial emissions. However, Australia presented scientific data showing that current pollution levels do not pose a threat, and rallied diplomatic support from countries such as Japan, Kenya, and South Korea. The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the site’s Traditional Owners, celebrated the decision as a major win for cultural heritage. Environmental and advocacy groups, however, emphasize the ongoing need for vigilance to protect the site from industrial development in the region. More