The bunya tree is amazing in so many respects and not just because it is a cultural, sacred and emotional icon for both Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It has a curious ancient botanical lineage; it was food for the largest ever dinosaurs; today it is devoured by modern animals. Yesterday’s Queenslanders fought vicious wars over the valuable timber and fertile lands. Today’s Queenslanders are relishing ways to grow, cook, eat, create art, dance around and revere this tree.
It was a surprise for me to discover that my new homeland of the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, was also the home of the Indigenous Custodians of the bunya trees and the lands. These Gubbi Gubbi and the Jinibara peoples were not only present, but thriving and welcoming. Anyone who wants to learn or investigate Aboriginal culture is more than welcome. In fact, once I started to probe into bunya trees, I discovered these proud First Nations people were single-mindedly devoted to “sharing” their culture – and their country – which are inseparable.
The tree had been continuously existing on the continent for almost 200 million years when Aboriginal people settled here more than 65,000 years ago. And they mastered it. Did you know how bunya, or bonyi-bonyi, was treated as a food source by prehistoric Indigenous Australians? It was so valuable, not just in the area where bunya trees grew, but for almost a quarter of the Australian continent. Its influence was so great, it brought together entire nations. Through trade and travel, bunya was not just a food but contributed to an expansive and wealthy culture.
This story needed telling so I produced a feature on bunya for Australian Geographic. It was published in the March 2025 issue and now you can read the whole story “Bunya Nut Boom” online here: