Learn the Aboriginal stories of Melbourne/Narrm
In a city as cosmopolitan and industrialised as Melbourne/Narrm, it may surprise you to learn that you don’t have to travel far to experience Aboriginal cultures.
Woven into the multicultural fabric of the city are insightful tours, workshops and exhibitions, promising a taste of Aboriginal history and cultures in a contemporary setting.
Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne, VIC © Visit Victoria
Start in Federation Square
In the heart of Melbourne/Narrm, the Koorie Heritage Trust in bustling Federation Square is dedicated to promoting and supporting the living cultures of south-east Australia’s First Nations peoples. Visit the centre to see the latest Indigenous art exhibition on display, the huge permanent exhibition of photography, oral history and artefacts, or, if time allows, embark on a one-hour guided River Camp/Birrarung Wilam Walk, taking in the iconic Yarra River that threads through Melbourne/Narrm and sites of cultural significance along the way.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Melbourne/Narrm, VIC © Tourism Australia
Discover beauty and culture in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
In the green oasis that is the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne – said to be one of the world’s leading botanic gardens – you can tour the ancestral lands of the Eastern Kulin nation, led by an Aboriginal guide on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. Beginning with a traditional smoking ceremony, you will deepen your understanding of Aboriginal customs by learning about traditional uses of plants for food, tools and medicine.
Worn Gundidj @ Tower Hill, Tower Hill, VIC © Tourism Victoria
Connect with culture beyond the city limits
For a great day-trip out of the city, visit Tower Hill, a dormant volcano that became Victoria’s first national park in 1892. Situated in the heart of the Great Ocean Road region near the iconic Twelve Apostles – about a three-hour drive from Melbourne – this unique landscape is also geologically significant, carved out by a volcanic eruption some 30,000 years ago. Today, in its place, you’ll find a vast crater stretching four kilometres wide, home to an impressive lake, an abundance of native wildlife and rich Aboriginal cultures.
The best way to explore the reserve and dive deeper into its history is on a guided nature walk with Worn Gundidj @ Tower Hill, a local Aboriginal cooperative. The two-hour tour takes you through some of the reserve’s most beautiful scenery, while your guide provides insight into the native plants Aboriginal peoples have traditionally used for food and medicine. Worn Gundidj @ Tower Hill also hosts bush barbecues for groups, where you can taste-test a fusion of traditional bush tucker and modern Australian cuisine. Gum-leaf ice-cream or kangaroo lasagne, anyone?
