Deen Maar Indigenous Protected Area, Indigenous Protected Area in Victoria, Australia
Deen Maar is a protected area on the Victoria coast that contains limestone ridges, wetlands, lakes, and sand dunes around the Eumeralla River and Bass Strait coastline. The mix of these different landscapes creates habitats where rare bird species and other wildlife find the conditions they need to thrive.
This land was the site of the Eumerella Wars, a series of conflicts between Indigenous people and European settlers that began in 1842 and lasted for more than 20 years. These conflicts reshaped the region and its relationship with the land.
This land belongs to the Peek Whurrong people, who continue to practice and teach their traditional ways in this place. Visitors can sense how the natural features of the landscape hold deep meaning for the communities who have called it home for countless generations.
The area is accessible and offers good conditions for observing threatened bird species such as the orange-bellied parrot and hooded plover. Bird watching is most rewarding during migration seasons when more species are present.
The name Deen Maar means 'this man here' and connects to Lady Julia Percy Island, which can be seen from the protected area's coast. This island holds cultural meaning for local people and shapes how the place is understood.
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