UNESCO just added this WA landmark to its World Heritage list

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
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It’s over 47,000 years old, more remote than Uluṟu, and finally recognised as one of the most significant cultural sites on Earth.

Western Australia is now home to the world’s newest UNESCO World Heritage listing. The Murujuga Cultural Landscape, located in the remote Pilbara region near Karratha, has officially been inscribed as a Cultural World Heritage site, joining the ranks of Budj Bim, Uluṟu and Kakadu. It’s a moment First Nations Custodians have fought for over decades, and a decision that comes with both celebration and concern.

The listing was confirmed on 11 July 2025 at UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris.

A spiritual and cultural win

Murujuga Cultural Landscape rock art
Murujuga has been inscribed as a Cultural World Heritage site. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Murujuga – home to one of the world’s oldest and largest known collections of engraved rock art – was recognised for its outstanding cultural and spiritual value, inscribed for bearing exceptional testimony to one of the world’s oldest continuing cultures. The petroglyphs that cover the peninsula depict everything from thylacines and turtles to early human life and ancestral stories.

“Our rock art tells the stories of our people, and maintains our songlines and bloodline connection to our ngurra (Country)," said Raelene Cooper, a Murujuga custodian of the Mardudhunera people and founder of Save Our Songlines , who travelled to Paris to witness the announcement.

Murujuga Cultural Landscape rock art Turtle petroglyphs
The rock art tells ancient stories. (Image: Save our Songlines)

The inscription has been decades in the making, led by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) and supported by the WA Government.

“This is an exceptionally proud moment for us," MAC chair Peter Hicks said.

“It is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination, but it is also recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary landscape for over 50,000 years. We are proud to continue that legacy."

However, concerns remain. The site is surrounded by heavy industry, including Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project, and decades of emissions have raised alarms among scientists and custodians alike.

Is Murujuga still at risk?

Murujuga Cultural Landscape rock art platform aerial
The decision comes with both celebration and concern. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

In a rare move, the inscription came with an official amendment calling for “continued research and monitoring" of industrial impacts on the site.

Recent research by Bonn University and a report from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) – UNESCO’s own advisory body – have warned that industrial emissions are accelerating the degradation of the rock surfaces, potentially erasing thousands of years of history. Some argue that the Australian Government downplayed this data in their executive summary to UNESCO.

“The final decision today falls well short of the protections that expert body ICOMOS has recommended," Cooper said.

“But comments from World Heritage Committee members today send a clear signal to the Australian Government and Woodside that things need to change to prevent the ongoing desecration of Murujuga by polluting industry."

Murujuga Cultural Landscape rock art kangaroo petroglyph
Scientific data demonstrated the advanced weathering of the Murujuga petroglyphs. (Image: Save our Songlines)

Ben Smith, Professor of Archaeology (World Rock Art) at the University of Western Australia, said that the scientific data clearly demonstrated the advanced weathering of the Murujuga petroglyphs from pollutants from the Woodside gas processing facility.

“One only hopes that Murujuga’s listing as a World Heritage Site spurs the government to no longer shirk their responsibility to conserve and protect this globally significant rock art site, and we see proper measures put in place to stop the polluting gas industry from degrading our First Nations cultural heritage," Smith said.

In May, Environment Minister Murray Watt granted conditional approval for Woodside to extend its gas processing operations on the Burrup Peninsula until 2070. The conditions are yet to be made public.

How to visit with respect

Murujuga Cultural Landscape aerial
Visitors can join cultural tours run by Traditional Custodians. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The Murujuga Cultural Landscape is accessible via Karratha, and visitors can join cultural tours run by Traditional Custodians through the MAC , which provide insight into the ancient stories, Dreaming and deep connections that shape this living landscape.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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The ultimate Margaret River road trip itinerary for food & wine lovers

    Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
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    Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

    Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

    In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

    Day 1

    the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay
    Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

    There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

    Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

    Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

    Day 2

    After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

    Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering  dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

    Day 3

    Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

    With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

    Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

    Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

    For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

    Day 4

    Pair'd Beach Club
    Elevate your dining experiences at Pair’d X Range Rover Beach Club.

    Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

    Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

    If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

    Day 5

    pair'd Grand Tasting
    Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

    Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

    Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

    Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

    Day 6

    Ngilgi Cave western australia
    Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

    After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

    Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

    Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

    Day 7

    Burnt Ends event at Pair'd
    Farewell the Margaret River.

    Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

    Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

    Pair’d Margaret River Region is proudly owned by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA.