The Six Ngunnawal Seasons
Updated 5 Aug 2026
Richie Allan is the Ngunnawal Kamilaroi custodian who was born in Ngunnawal Country and raised on both Ngunnawal and Kamilaroi Country.
He is the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation's Cultural Director and artist.
Here, Richie shares his artwork created that depicts the six Ngunnawal seasons that are marked for the Canberra and ACT region.
The Ngunnawal traditional calendar for the Canberra and ACT region tracks ecological and landscape changes across six distinct seasons rather than fixed calendar months. These periods are guided by shifts in local weather, plant life cycles, and animal behaviours. Each season has an array of traditional colours that are guided by the Flora and Fauna. A Season can last as little as three days or as long as six months.
The Ngunnawal Seasonal Artwork is guided by the representation of each season. Colours can change early or late, or quickly or as slow as possible. It is all guided and transformed by Mother Earth who controls the Weather.
Our placement in the calendar is to ensure we support the ecosystem.
When you look at the colours of the calendar, you can see the array of plants and animals.
The calendar is a guide for what comes and goes through the season. It may differ each season and cross boundaries of colours. It is unpredictable and that’s why we have to rely on the Flora as well as the Fauna.
Six Ngunnawal Seasons
- Summer: Marked by warm colours and the arrival of the Fauna animal the Bogong moth.
- Deep Summer: Associated with native raspberries and platypus activity. Kangaroos lying and resting. Also changing to the grey coat.
- Autumn: Noted by everlasting daisies and eastern long-necked turtles.
- Winter: Highlighted by bluebells and eastern grey kangaroos turning a brownish colour
- Deep Winter: Characterized by false sarsaparilla and echidnas.
- Spring: Signified by blooming wattle (Acacia) and increased magpie activity.
