Country History
Ancient Amphibians of the Songs of Wetlands and Rain
Amphibians are among the most ancient and sensitive life forms on Earth, bridging the worlds of water and land for more than 350 million years (Cogger 2014). In Victoria, frogs — the state’s main group of amphibians — bring the landscape to life after rain, their calls echoing across creeks, forests, and floodplains. For Indigenous peoples, frogs were not just animals but messengers of water, renewal, and seasonal change. Their calls marked when food plants would sprout, when the rivers would rise, and when it was time to travel or stay close to home (Clarke 2011). Today, amphibians are recognised as crucial ecological indicators — the “canaries of the wetlands” — whose presence signals healthy environments and balanced water systems (Hero et al. 2005).
Origins and Deep-Time
Amphibians are among the earliest vertebrates to move from water to land, evolving from fish-like ancestors in the Devonian Period, over 370 million years ago (Warren & Hutchinson 1988). By the Triassic and Jurassic periods, frog-like creatures were widespread across Gondwana, including what would become Australia. Fossil evidence from Victoria’s Cretaceous sites near Inverloch and Dinosaur Cove shows that small amphibians lived alongside dinosaurs in ancient forests and wetlands (Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003). As climates cooled through the Miocene and Pleistocene, modern frog species evolved, adapting to Australia’s unpredictable rainfall and diverse habitats (Tyler & Knight 2011). Their dual life — part aquatic, part terrestrial — symbolises resilience and transformation, both scientifically and spiritually.
Deep-Time and Cultural Timeline
The story of Victoria’s amphibians stretches back to the Devonian period (around 370 million years ago), when the first amphibians emerged from the world’s shallow waters (Warren & Hutchinson 1988). During the Cretaceous (145–66 million years ago), early frogs thrived in the lush river systems of southern Gondwana (Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003). By the Pleistocene (2.6 million–10,000 years ago), distinctive Australian frogs had adapted to seasonal rain patterns and cooler climates. For over 40,000 years, Indigenous peoples across Victoria observed frogs as living indicators of seasonal cycles. Their songs foretold the return of rain and the abundance of food. Before 1788, frogs were central to the ecological knowledge of Country, representing fertility, cleansing, and the renewal of life (Clarke 2011). During the colonial era (1798–1900), scientific study of frogs began, though land clearing, wetland drainage, and pollution reduced their habitats. Since the 20th century, conservation laws, waterway restoration, and cultural revitalisation have helped protect these small but essential creatures — keepers of balance between water, earth, and sky (Hero et al. 2005; DEECA 2022).
Ecology and Behaviour
Frogs and other amphibians are vital to Victoria’s ecosystems.
Habitat: Found from alpine bogs to coastal wetlands, they depend on moist environments for breeding and skin respiration (Tyler & Knight 2011).
Life Cycle: Frogs undergo metamorphosis — from egg to tadpole to adult — representing transformation and adaptation to both water and land.
Diet: They feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates, helping control pest populations.
Predators: Frogs are food for birds, snakes, and mammals, forming a key link in food webs.
Their permeable skin makes them highly sensitive to pollution, temperature, and water quality — which is why scientists and Traditional Custodians alike view frogs as environmental barometers (Hero et al. 2005).
Species of Frogs in Victoria
Over 35 species of native frogs occur in Victoria, representing several key families (Tyler & Knight 2011):
Southern Bell Frog (Litoria raniformis): Once widespread, now endangered due to habitat loss and chytrid fungus.
Common Froglet (Crinia signifera): One of the most familiar voices after rain, adaptable to urban and rural environments.
Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis): Named for its deep, resonant call; an important indicator of wetland health.
Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis): Common in grasslands and agricultural dams.
Baw Baw Frog (Philoria frosti): A critically endangered alpine species found only on Mount Baw Baw.
Each species plays a unique ecological role and carries local significance within Indigenous seasonal calendars.
Amphibians in Indigenous Knowledge and Story
Across Victoria, frogs feature prominently in the spiritual and ecological traditions of Indigenous communities.
Water Messengers: Their songs are heard as signs of the returning rains — signalling renewal and the balance of seasons (Clarke 2011).
Creation Stories: In some Kulin and Gunditjmara narratives, frogs were creators of waterholes or guardians of rivers.
Totems: Frog totems connect people to wetlands, teaching lessons of care, humility, and interdependence (Clark 1990).
Ceremony and Sound: The rhythmic croaking of frogs mirrors the heartbeat of Country, reinforcing the cycles of fertility and rebirth.
In Wadawurrung tradition, the call of frogs near waterways such as the Barwon River signified abundance and the responsibility to protect clean water (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023). Frogs were both physical and spiritual monitors — guides for people and indicators for Country.
Amphibians on Wadawurrung Country
On Wadawurrung Country, frogs inhabit the wetlands, billabongs, and creeks that flow through the volcanic plains between Djilang (Geelong), Ballarat, and the Bellarine Peninsula (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023). The Growling Grass Frog and Spotted Marsh Frog are especially significant, their calls linked to the first warm rains of spring and the renewal of plant life. Frogs were understood as voices of water spirits, calling balance back to Country after periods of dryness. Their movements were also read as signs of flood or drought cycles. Wadawurrung ecological philosophy aligns with modern amphibian science: both recognise that healthy frog populations mean healthy water systems. Protecting wetlands and respecting seasonal water flow remain essential acts of cultural and ecological responsibility.
Colonial Impact and Modern Science
European settlement drastically altered amphibian habitats. Wetland drainage, agriculture, and urban expansion reduced breeding sites, while pollution and invasive species (like fish and cane toads) further threatened native frogs (Hero et al. 2005). Scientific research since the 20th century has revealed frogs as indicator species — early warnings of environmental stress. The discovery of the fungal disease chytridiomycosis (caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) led to major declines worldwide, including in Victoria’s alpine frogs (Berger et al. 1998). Conservation responses now combine biological study with cultural knowledge, restoring wetlands and integrating Indigenous land management into monitoring programs (DEECA 2022).
Modern Conservation and Cultural Renewal
Efforts to protect frogs in Victoria highlight the partnership between Traditional Owners, scientists, and community groups:
Habitat Restoration: Programs such as Rewilding the Wetlands and Growling Grass Frog Recovery restore breeding sites and native vegetation.
Cultural Monitoring: Indigenous rangers and elders use language, story, and song to track seasonal changes and frog abundance (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023).
Citizen Science: FrogID and other recording programs allow the public to document frog calls across Victoria.
Legislation: Many species are protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic) and listed as threatened under the EPBC Act 1999 (DEECA 2022).
These programs recognise that science alone cannot heal Country — cultural care and respect for water must flow alongside ecological management.
Symbolism and Meaning
Amphibians carry deep symbolic power across both culture and science:
In Indigenous worldviews: They embody renewal, rain, and balance — spirits of cleansing and transition (Clarke 2011).
In ecology: They are keystone species linking land, water, and air.
In human reflection: Frogs remind us that even the smallest voice — a call in the night — can echo across generations as a sign of health, resilience, and hope.
Conclusion
Amphibians are storytellers of change — their voices bridging deep time, culture, and science. In Victoria, their history weaves together evolution, colonisation, and renewal. From the Devonian pioneers that first left the sea to the modern frogs that call after rain, amphibians continue to remind Victorians of the ancient bond between people and water. Protecting them is an act of both ecological duty and cultural continuity — ensuring the songs of wetlands and rain endure for generations to come.
References
Abbott, I. (2008). Historical Perspectives of Herpetology in Southern Australia. Western Australian Naturalist.
Berger, L., et al. (1998). “Chytridiomycosis causes amphibian mortality associated with population declines in the rain forests of Australia and Central America.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 95(15), pp.9031–9036.
Clark, I.D. (1990). Aboriginal Languages and Clans: An Historical Atlas of Western and Central Victoria, 1800–1900. Monash University, Melbourne.
Clarke, P.A. (2011). Australian Indigenous Ethnobotany: An Overview. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Cogger, H.G. (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action). (2022). Victoria’s Threatened Species Strategy. State Government of Victoria.
Hero, J.M., et al. (2005). “Declines in Australian Frogs: Causes, Consequences and Conservation.” Pacific Conservation Biology, 11(3), pp.228–239.
Rich, T.H. & Vickers-Rich, P. (2003). Dinosaurs of Darkness. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.
Tyler, M.J. & Knight, F. (2011). Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (2023). Cultural Knowledge and Country Resources. Geelong.
Warren, A. & Hutchinson, M. (1988). “The Origin of Amphibians in Australia.” Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 12(1), pp.1–10.
Written, Researched and Directed by James Vegter 16/09/2025
Magic Lands Alliance
Sharing the truth of Indigenous and colonial history through film, education, land and community.
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Magic Lands Alliance acknowledge the Traditional Owners, Custodians, and First Nations communities across Australia and internationally. We honour their enduring connection to the sky, land, waters, language, and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and to all First Peoples communities and language groups. This article draws only on publicly available information; many cultural practices remain the intellectual property of communities.