Rachael Lackenmier, the School of Visual Arts Down Under Visual Arts in Sydney 2015-16 student blogger, writes:

Today we traveled two hours west to the Blue Mountains where we explored aboriginal culture, painted boomerangs, and hiked the trails with our tour guide Kathy.

 
We learned that every aboriginal painting tells a different story. Using symbols the indigenous people have developed over thousands of years, the style of painting differs among the indigenous regions (there are over 300 original nations, each with their own language). The region that we were in uses small dots to create their paintings, most of which are landscapes from an aerial view.

 
We also discovered that in aboriginal communities, each member has their own individual body paint pattern that no one else can ever use. They wear certain colors and patterns to represent different ranks and ceremonial occasions. During our visit we were lucky enough to see some of the ceremonial dances performed.

After learning about the aboriginal people and their paintings, we went on a tour through the Blue Mountains with our guide Kathy. She taught us how the Blue Mountains formed from cliffs as large pieces of sandstone fell over time. Hiking through the Blue Mountains was incredibly exhilarating, and quite different from Mount Nittany back in State College. I can’t wait to go back and take in more breathtaking views.

XOXO,

Rachael