These children represent one of the world's oldest living cultures ¦ Image courtesy Tourism Australia
The Aboriginal people of Australia date back to at least 50,000 years and are one of the oldest living cultures in the world. They are a people steeped in history and rich in tradition. When it comes to Australia’s history, you could say they ARE Australia’s history! They are a people who live a legacy of spiritual knowledge, understanding of land and nature and believe in the connectedness of all things shared through rituals, dance, art, music and stories. Their lifestyle is based on sharing – of knowledge, stories, traditions and that’s why they are so willing to share a piece of their lives with you.
You can discover their arts, food, practices and relationship with nature. Aboriginal communities are now co-operating with the Australian tourist industry to offer people a unique insight into their way of life.
You cannot say that you’ve truly embraced Australia without paying your respects to one of the many indigenous tribes that occupy the land. Now you can go even further and stay amongst the people, learn their trades, share in their stories and dances and admire their artistry. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of this ancient people and a spiritual openness that you’ll carry back with you, as well as some amazing experiences to relate.
We’ve teamed up with tourist boards across Australia to bring you the pick of the very best Indigenous experiences that Australia has to offer. Just click on one of the links below to be taken to information about the Indigenous experiences that region has to offer.
Queensland
Head into the Northern Tropics of Queensland and you are transported back in time to glimpse of the original Australia before inhabitation by Westerners. The highest population of Indigenous Australians live here and many areas of the tropics have remained untouched by westerners. The custodians of this land, who have lived here for generations, are now willing to share the lands precious resources and their cultural stories with tourists in order that you have a better understanding of how they live and have lived for thousands of years. So are you ready to go on a journey of wisdom, spirituality and openness? If you are then we promise you an unforgettable experience.
For those who love travelling and having adventures then the Bama Way could be just what you’re looking for. The Bama Way is an Aboriginal Trail that stretches from Palm Cove near Cairns to north of Cooktown, but don’t worry, you don’t have to do the whole thing! The trail is split into three sections and you can choose to do just one or all three! The trails are accessible to lone expeditions, but we recommend that you use the ancient custodians as your guides, so they can tell you of the mysteries and secrets of the lands you pass.
Willie is an animated guide ¦ Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland.
The first leg of the trail is the award-winning Guurrbi Tour and was voted a Top Ten must-do tour of Queensland. Your tour guide is Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon who opens up his ancestral land to you and shows you the ancient rock art sites, the stories of which only the Elders know. There is a little walking involved in this tour but overall it’s great for people of all ages. If you are capable of doing a little more exercise, Willie can also take you on the Rainbow Serpent Tour to look at six dramatic rock art sites, including the Birth Site where Willie’s father and grandfather were born. Again there are stories and folklore to be told and the odd green ant to be tasted. Willie is an engaging and animated guide who gives you a real flavour of the Aboriginal culture of this area (and I don’t mean the green ant).
The second part of the tour is given by the Walker Family who belong to the Kuku Yalanji clan. They have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years and know every aspect of it intimately. It includes the World Heritage rainforest area which include the spectacular Bloomfield Falls. The Walker Family take you on a guided tour of their area, telling you stories of the land and its uses upon the way. You are more than welcome to stop them at any time to ask questions. This tour gives you a fascinating insight into how the clan use plants for medicine, food and ceremonies. The Walker Family themselves are friendly and welcoming people who are keen to teach others how to see the environment through their eyes.
Now to the beach for the final leg of the trail. The Kubirri Warra brothers are enthusiastic about teaching people the secrets of the land and how to exploit it for food. You can have a go at spear throwing and stalking potential prey! The brothers also have a huge respect for the wildlife and environment around them and that respect gives them a greater understanding of nature and makes them better hunters and stalkers for it. Why don’t you try it out and learn how to survive off the land?
There are many other festivals and tours that you can participate in, including the Torres Strait Cultural Festival held on Thursday Island in mid-September. Colourful street parades are accompanied by traditional dancing and music from all the different island communities. You can also pick up a unique handmade gift or pieces of art from local artists, or take part in making your own souvenir in one of the educational workshops were local people will be on hand to teach you some of the secrets of their trade. If you really want to embrace the surroundings of these tropical regions then head on over to Malanda Falls where you can walk over the top of a waterfall, swim with platypus, stroll through the ancient trees and learn more about the Ngadjanji people who will be your guides along the way.
Queensland tourism has many more ideas and inspiring Indigenous tours, including advice on where to stay.
Western Australia
There are five major clans of Indigenous people in Western Australia, each with their own language. In fact before European settlers arrived their language was very much oral-based, with no written language existing apart from the delicate rock art examples. Because of their tradition of oral communication, many of their ancient stories have survived and are still being told today.
Relax with this tour into Dreamtime.
For a relaxing, spiritual tour take a boat ride along Swan River and travel into Dreamtime, a journey into the ancestral history of the Indigenous people and the significance part Swan River plays in that history. The Wadjuk people have been using the river for over 40,000 years, the river was a source of life and the respect the Wadjuk people have for her is evident. Every year the people would make the pilgrimage down to Fremantle and the women would walk along the shores of the river teaching their young children about the life that flowed within her whilst the men would take the boys to the northern shores to complete their rites of passage before swimming across to be reunited with the women. Now you can experience the river through their eyes and find out how the significance and meaning of the river changed with European settlement. Swan River Dreaming will take you on a 90 minute tour of the river every Tuesday and Wednesday aboard the Eco-Express. If you want to learn more, you can do the full day tour which includes a 90 minute Indigenous Heritage Walking Tour in Kings Park, that gives you time to explore the park for yourself with lunch provided.
The Wula Guda Nyinda Aboriginal Cultural Tours aims to take you on a journey of discovery to experience the culture, history and tradition of the people who inhabited Monkey Mia in Shark Bay – “where the desert meets the ocean”. The tours are led by Darren “Capes” Capewell, a descendant of the Nhanda and Malgana people who says: “Learn the secrets of my people and how we relate to the land, ocean and spirit of country.”
Darren aims to share with visitors a deeper understanding and appreciation of what the country means to his people and he does this by passing on some of the stories his ancestors have told throughout the generations and their beliefs about the spiritual relationship between nature and humankind. Be prepared to be transported back into a simpler, calmer way of life. You can try some traditional bush tucker, learn tracking techniques and find out how plants can be used as medicine. These tours operate daily and are already causing a stir in the tourism industry, winning the Western Australian Tourism Awards and the Gnunkai Indigenous Tour Guide award, see the Wula Guda Nyinda Tours for more details.
If you want a more intimate experience, how about camping with the Aboriginal communities of Djarindjin and One Arm Point? Kooljaman is a remote and multi-award winning camp 220km north of Broome. Its spectacular scenery and setting will leave you literally open-mouthed with awe. Fire-red cliffs clash with bone-white sand which in turn melts into the dazzling turquoise of the ocean. You can experience the unique opportunity of spending the day exploring the oceans with an Aboriginal family before heading back to the camp where you can either camp in style in ensuite cabins or bunk down in an authentic beach shelter.
For more information about these and other Indigenous tourism experiences, visit the Western Australia tourist site.
South Australia
Follow in the footsteps of ancient Aboriginal people now as you take a walk through Aboriginal dreaming and culture on a tour through the Ngaut Ngaut site, the ancestral home of the Nganguraku people. This is the birthplace of the “Black Duck Dreaming” on the banks of the Murray River. Find out about the spiritual significance of this and other ancient Aboriginal stories linked to rock art and the river. You also get a glimpse of how the ancient Aboriginal people use to live as the site is now a huge excavation area, displaying not only rock art but also bone and stone implements. This experience will challenge your perceptions of the Aboriginal people and leave you in awe of their great wisdom and resourcefulness.
One of the many examples of Aboriginal art ¦ Image courtesy of Tourism SA
Adelaide is the home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the South Australian Museum, so take time out of the bustle of the city to browse through Australia’s ancient history. You may also wish to take a guided tour of the bush food on offer at the Adelaide Botanic Garden or find out about Aboriginal art in a unique art tour of the city. Then once you’ve had your fill of what the city has to offer, you head off into the bush for a private 4WD journey to Flinders Ranges. As you journey along taking in the spectacular scenery your local Aboriginal guide will pass on his knowledge of the Dreamtime stories.
Once at Flinders Ranges you’ll need to pull on your hiking books to traverse the rugged terrain whilst investigating the ancient etches and paintings of the Adnyamathanha people. After all that walking you’ll be glad to reach the old Arkaba Station built in 1851. Here you can take in the beauty of your surroundings such as the stunning view of Elder Range whilst benefitting from true Australian hospitality. Finally you can doze off to the twittering of native birds with the setting sun casting its last rays over the rugged landscape.
There are many other unique Aboriginal experiences you can get involved in, some more involved than others. Whether you are just looking for a day trip or whether you can to fully embrace the culture and spirituality of the people by staying overnight, South Australia is packed with tours and experiences to suit every taste.
Northern Territory
The Territory is home to the world’s largest population of Aboriginal people and they claim that here, more than anywhere else in the world, you can find out more about the Aboriginal culture and history. The tourist board certainly have its fair share of tours, experiences, festivals, art galleries and cultural centres. Here are just a snapshot of the tours that are on offer in this region, but to see the whole range of experiences on offer you really do need to visit their Aboriginal Culture site.
The World-Heritage listed Kakadu National Park is one of the best places to see vivid examples of authentic Aboriginal art. Injalak Hill has one of the most extensive rock art galleries in Australia and a tour of the galleries is included in an expedition of Arnhem Land. This land is rich in Aboriginal culture and the communities who live here are open and willing to give you an insight into their lives. Many of the communities have their own tour guides who will be able to give you a tour of Injalak Hill and explain many of the meanings and significance of the rock art all around you.
Watch aboriginal art being produced. ¦Image courtesy Tourism NT.
If you want to try your hand at dot art, why not sign up for the Uluru Cultural Walk, one of the oldest walking tracks on earth. You’ll need sturdy walking boots for this 9.4km hike around Uluru although the time will pass quickly as your attention is captured by the beauty of your surroundings and the stories and significance attached to them. At the end of your walk you are given the opportunity to take part in a Dot-Painting workshop – one of the oldest Aboriginal forms of art dating back from when the communities used to paint directly onto their bodies for colourful and spiritual celebrations.
There are also many festivals held in the Northern Territory such as the Desert Mob Festival that showcases Aboriginal art and celebrates one of the oldest living cultures in the world. You can find out more about the Aboriginal art movement and even purchase your own artwork, giving you the opportunity to take home a piece of Indigenous culture. The Barunga Music Festival in Darwin is also a celebration but this time of Indigenous music. The essence of the Indigenous people really comes to life in this huge event in June where traditional music and dancing will sweep you up into another dimension!
If you are holidaying in the Northern Territory this year, plan your holiday around some of these unmissable events and tours and leave Australia with a little piece of dreamtime spirituality forever locked in your heart.
New South Wales
The sprawling metropolis of Sydney would be an unlikely place to experience Indigenous culture you would think, but you’d be wrong. The Aboriginal Cultural Cruise takes place on Sydney Harbour and is owned and operated by local Aboriginal people. This fascinating and informative tour begins at Circular Quay aboard the motor vessel Deerubbun. Against the stunning backdrop of the Sydney Harbour and Sydney Opera House prepare to be educated about traditional fishing practices and food gathering techniques that’ll make you want to take up your spear and catch the next big fish. Once the boat arrives at Clark Island you’ll experience such a warm welcome as to make Captain Cook blush. The welcoming party perform traditional dance routines for you (Simon Cowell eat your heart out!) that you are actively encouraged to take part in! The boat ride and visit to the island lasts around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Graham Clarke shows you the secrets of the land.
Mungo National Park used to be an area covered in shallow lakes that were rich in abundance with marine life, providing a staple diet for much of the local wildlife and the Aboriginal people who lived here, in harmony with nature. The area has provided a fascinating glimpse into humanity – some of the world’s oldest burials were discovered here as was the earliest use of the grindstone for making flour. The Aboriginal people who occupied these lands were resourceful and sensitive to the changing landscape, able to adapt with it to survive. Now the dried river beds provide much evidence of the early lives of these original Australians. Discover their world for yourself on a multi award-winning Harry Nanya Tour, Aboriginal tour operator Graham Clarke is waiting to take you on a tour of his ‘backyard’ and tell you more about his people.
The Australian Museum located in the heart of Sydney has a extensive Indigenous Australians exhibition which comprimises the key themes of spirituality, land, family, social justice and the future. It particularly focuses on the Indigenous roots and their affinity with the land. We strongly recommend you visit their exhibition. Find out more on the Australian Museum website.
Victoria
The Port Philip area used to belong to five different Aboriginal language groups who were part of the Kulin Nation, a people who had made Melbourne and Victoria their home before the European settlers arrived. Now you can rediscover these people with the award-winning Aboriginal Heritage Walk in the Botanical Gardens, run entirely by an Indigenous team who are happy to answer questions and tell you more about their ancestors. Or learn about the Aboriginal way of life and traditions through their delicate and unique artwork displays in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre at the Melbourne Museum. The Centre also has a wonderful display of photographs as well as archaelogical artefacts and film of ancient Aboriginal tribes. There are lots of different Aboriginal displays along the city’s Flinders Lane and King Street so be sure to seek them out.
Victoria has some of the most significant landmarks to Aboriginal people, such as the twelve apostles. Just one hour west of the twelve apostles is the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Peer over the edge of the volcano rim if you dare! It is here that archaeologists discovered Aboriginal artefacts dating from before the volcanic eruption – so this land has long been in use by the Aboriginal people and who better to tell you about it than descendants from the people themselves. The guides own personal connections with this landscape make them all the better story tellers and you’ll come away from this tour with a sense of deep respect for the people who used these lands hundreds of thousands of years ago.
The Grampians also have a significance for the local Aboriginal people. Ancient tribes have left their mark here, from the rock art that covers the sides of the rugged rocks to ancient oven mounds and relics of the tools they used. One of the clans who lived here was the clan of Gariwerd and their descendants carry on the strong traditions today. Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre gives you all the information you need on the various rock art sites open to the public, the clans who used the area and the artefacts that have been found here. It also boasts an impressive display of Aboriginal culture and heritage.
Find out more about these and other Indigenous sites and events by going to the Victoria tourist site.
No one article can truly do justice to the range of Indigenous experiences available in Australia right now. We’ve focused on just a few to bring you a flavour of the unique discoveries out there waiting for you, but there are so many more just waiting for you to go along and discover them for yourself. Meet the people who shaped Australia, who breathed life into it and lived in harmony as one within it. Once you’ve opened your eyes to these ancient civilisations and learnt about their traditional practices and mysterious spirituality you will forever have a piece of Australia in your soul and feel more intimately connected to the country than ever before.
So go on, discover another side of Australia today.
Courtesy of Tourism Australia
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