The traditional custodians of Port Stephen are Worimi People. Birubi point is culturally, socially, spiritually and historically an important area to them, who have used it for tens of thousands of years for fishing, camping, and burials. Birubi means Southern Cross, a star constellation of 5 stars that can be seen in the sky of southern hemisphere. When it is high up in the sky, it is a sign for Worimi people to gather at Birubi Point for ceremony.
A young Worimi boy called Bingay became friends with Durrungang, the whale. Bingay used to sit on a rock at Birubi water's edge and call Durrungang when he passes by. They shared their adventures with each other. Durrungang shared his knowledge on deep ocean, its creatures and animals including the shark Dinuni.
Dinuni came to Birubi to catch Mullet. He was not happy about Durrungang coming to his territory and scarring away the fish. Also he was jealous of the whale's friendship with the boy. Therefore Diruni always tried to scare the boy and the whale away from each other.
Bingay became worried on times when Durrungang swam into deep ocean and could not be seen.
To save the boy from his worries, the whale came up with a plan. He approached the shoreline and started shoveling out sand to build a huge beach from his tail. He did this for many many days.
Once this is done, Durrungang requested Biami, the great spirit, to contact Wuruma, the wind spirit, to blow this massive amount of sand in the shoreline to land. Wuruma sent sand flying into inland and it had created the sand dunes now known as Worimi Conservation Land.
Durrungang told Bingay, "when I go swimming in the deep ocean, you can sit on one of the highest sand dunes and look for me. When you see my spout, wave to me. I will wave back and splash my tail for you to know that I am safe".
Dinuni stayed in Birubi for long time. As his family grew bigger, he had to go to south looking for food. But he would always come back.
As the seasons started to change, Durrungang went away promising to return during warmer seasons.
Even now between the months of June and November, we can see Durrungang and his family swimming by Birubi point waving and splashing their tails to let us know that they are safe and can see us.
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Story and the facts are mainly from the information boards I happened to read during my walk in the area.
