Biyarung
(1810–1888) Dharawal woman and cultural leader
About Biyarung
Lived 1810 – 1888 (aged 77–78). Biyarung was an Australian tour guide.
Biyarung also known as Biddy Giles (c. 1810 – December 1888) was a Dharawal woman, from the Gweagal clan, who was a knowledge holder and during her childhood, experienced the increasing arrivals and spread of colonisation in Sydney, Australia.
She became a cultural leader, entrepreneur and tour guide who taught colonists words in the Dharawal language as well as stories and knowledge about her Country. Anderson later told many of these stories to Charles William Peck and they were included in his book Australian Legends (1925). Here, as well as farming, she spent significant amounts of time hunting and fishing.
By the 1880s, and following Giles' death, Biyarung moved again to Dolls Point where she lived with family, including her brother Joey, and became to known to many as 'Granny Giles'.
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Important facts
People in Biyarung's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Biyarung's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Biyarung?
(1810–1888) Dharawal woman and cultural leader
When was Biyarung born?
Biyarung was born in 1810 in Sydney.
When did Biyarung die?
Biyarung died in 1888 in Camperdown.
What was Biyarung's occupation?
Biyarung was a tour guide.
What nationality was Biyarung?
Biyarung was Australian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Biyarung. https://biography.guide/biyarung/
MLA: "Biyarung." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/biyarung/.
Chicago: "Biyarung." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/biyarung/.
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