Guganagina is a Sydney Aboriginal word for Kookaburra and it is now the name of a Balgowlah lookout offering panoramic views of North Harbour.

Following consultation with the community, Council has resolved to name a previously unnamed lookout on West Street, Balgowlah, Guganagina ‘Kookaburra’ Lookout.

The word Guganagina is taken from the book ‘The Sydney Language’ by Professor Jakelin Troy, linguist and Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research at University of Sydney. Professor Troy is also an advisor to the Geographical Names Board of NSW.

It’s a fitting name for a lookout providing a birds-eye view over Manly and North Harbour, where kookaburras are frequently sighted.

Council received 149 submissions in response to the naming proposal, with the majority being supportive of the name. The Northern Sydney Aboriginal Heritage Office, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and Aboriginal Education Consultative Group were also involved in the consultation process.  

Interpretive signage will be installed at the location explaining the name, the significance of the site and its connection to Aboriginal history.  The sign will detail the differing Aboriginal words for kookaburra from across Sydney and elsewhere to respectfully acknowledge the diversity of Aboriginal languages.

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