Yankee Hat

Yankee Hat Tharwa is a rock art site located in the Namadgi National Park, ACT, and is the only known Aboriginal art site in the region.

Although the site is currently closed for upgrades, tourists can still explore the area's vast grasslands and catch a glimpse of the famous Yankee Hat Shelter, where Aboriginal rock art is on display.

As indicated, the current Yankee Hat Rock Art Site is closed for upgrades, but visitors can still enjoy a walk through the expansive grasslands of the site. The 6-kilometre trail takes approximately 2.5 hours, and tourists can still view the Yankee Hat Shelter from a distance. The mountain views along the trail are breathtaking and make for an excellent opportunity for photography.

Yankee Hat Tharwa provides an insight into Aboriginal history and culture, dating back more than 800 years. Carbon dating of the campsite deposits in the Yankee Hat rock shelter reveals that Aboriginal people first used the shelter as a campsite more than 800 years ago. It is also believed that people have been camping and painting in the area for as long as 3,700 years.

The Yankee Hat Rock Art Site is highly vulnerable, and it is essential to exercise caution while exploring the site. Tourists should avoid touching the rock surfaces and the painting itself as oils from the skin are known to cause damage. To preserve the site and its importance to the Australian Capital Territory, it is illegal to damage, destroy or disturb any Aboriginal heritage place or object.

The best time to visit Yankee Hat Tharwa is during spring and autumn, with pleasant daytime temperatures and clear blue skies. During winter, there is a likelihood of snow, and the winds can be chilly.