Welcome to the Aboriginal Heritage Office
Site Management
The AHO assists in the management of Aboriginal sites within the partner Councils. Site management plans, potential area reports, site inspections, site conservation works and monitoring are some of the activities carried out by the AHO.
Support to member Councils
The AHO provides assistance to partner Councils to help protect Aboriginal sites in the area. This includes strategic planning issues, development referrals, Council staff training as well as other advice.
Community Education
The AHO provides presentations, walks, talks and other activities for schools and the local community within partner Council areas. The aim is to inform people about the Aboriginal history and heritage of the local area and how to view the local landscape from an Indigenous perspective.
AHO Museum Opening Times
The AHO Museum is open
Tuesday – Thursday | 9:00am – 3:00pm
29 Lawrence Street, Freshwater NSW 2096
To book your group
Please email: aho@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
For help with Acknowledgements of Country, please go to our FAQ page.
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Yarnupings September 2026
The cooler months are a really exciting time across the northen part of Sydney. Winter sees clear ocean waters and cuttlefish mating season and the anticipation of spring brings a colour explosion with wildflowers blooming. The September issue is a special one. We welcome our new staff member, Emily Thornton. And we farewell the legend…
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Yarnupings June 2026
In this issue of Yarnupings we celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC. We display the posters all the way back to the beginning. Please take a moment to look at each one and think about the themes.We also have the unveiling of the mural at Pocket Park, Freshwater. Stunning in blue and gold, this mural by…
Aboriginal Sites in Sydney
Did you know there are over 1000 sites of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the areas of Sydney known as North Sydney, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Willoughby, Northern Beaches Councils?
The Aboriginal clans who once occupied this area left important evidence of their past and way of life before colonisation.
The sites are of significance to the Aboriginal people because they are evidence of the past Aboriginal occupation of Australia and are valued as a link with their traditional culture.
There is also great scientific value in these sites. By studying the shells, stones and bones, we can learn a great deal about past environments, what plants and animals were used by people, what tools they used and how they survived.
Sites are under threat every day from development, vandalism and natural erosion. The sites can not be replaced, and once they are destroyed, they are lost forever.
The Role of the Aboriginal Heritage Office
The Aboriginal Heritage Office is a joint initiative by Lane Cove, North Sydney, Willoughby, Ku-ring-gai, and The Northern Beaches Council in a progressive move to protect Aboriginal heritage in these areas.
Part of the work of the Aboriginal Heritage office is to monitor these Aboriginal sites on a day to day basis and long term management reports are developed to ensure their preservation and protection.
Another key role of the Aboriginal Heritage Office is to give Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people involved with these council areas an avenue of approach to discuss issues or concerns they may have.
Education
An important part of the role is to communicate with schools and other groups and help children develop a deeper understanding of the unique culture of Aboriginal people.
In association with the local councils, talks, walks and activities are conducted to enhance appreciation of Aboriginal culture in the wider community. A selection of information leaflets on various Aboriginal heritage topics are available to download. Find out more about what the AHO offers Councils and the community. Or see our videos. There’s plenty more in our Resources section.
Have questions? Have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page. For further information on these or any related matters, please contact us.