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SYDNEY

Step out in Sydney/Warrane (wah-rang) and beyond in a whole new way.

Burrawa Indigenous Climb Experience, Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW © Tourism Australia
Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW © Destination NSW

Choose from Aboriginal experiences in Sydney/Warrane and across New South Wales, from the North Coast to Country NSW.

Group heading to Moonee Creek on the Coffs Coast for a stand-up paddl boarding tour with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, NSW © Destination NSW

Expand your horizons

From an exhilarating bridge climb to an eye-opening guided walk around the Sydney Harbour foreshore, Aboriginal experiences in Sydney/Warrane reveal fascinating chapters of the city’s little-known past.

Pair culture with adventure

Love quad-biking? Or maybe you’re more of a paddleboarder? Adventurous Aboriginal touring options abound in New South Wales.

A group of quad bikers on a Sand Dune Adventures tour in Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia
Sydney Opera House, Sydney/Warrane, NSW © Cultural Attractions of Australia

Experience Aboriginal ceremony

An immersive two-night experience on the New South Wales South Coast is just one of many Aboriginal experiences that invite you to experience the important role of ceremony in Aboriginal culture.

Showing 19 experiences
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  • 1. An aerial of quad bikes on sand dunes for Sand Dune Adventures, Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia
  • A tour guide high-fiving a child on a quad bike for a Sand Dune Adventures tour, NSW © Tourism Australia
  • Quad bikes driving past water on a Sand Dune Adventures tour in Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia

    6km from Newcastle Airport

    1-hour Quad Bike Adventure Tour

    with Sand Dune Adventures

    Feel the need for speed? Jump on a quad bike to zip around the immense Stockton Beach Sand Dunes, part of NSW’s Worimi Conservation Lands, with an Aboriginal guide.

    • A man sandboarding on a Sand Dune Adventures tour, Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia
    • A group of children sand boarding on a Sand Dune Adventures tour, Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia
    • A group of quad bikers on a Sand Dune Adventures tour in Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia

      6km from Newcastle Airport

      1.5 hour Aboriginal Culture and Sand Boarding Quad Bike Tour

      with Sand Dune Adventures

      This experience is as much about cruising around Stockton Beach Sand Dunes on a quad bike as it is about learning about the Worimi people. Sandboarding a bonus.

      • The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s bush tucker experience, NSW © Tourism Australia
      • Indigenous guide explaining the uses of plants for food and other purposes, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia
      • Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Bush Tucker Tour Tourism Australia © Tourism Australia

        1km from Sydney

        Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour

        with The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

        Walk with your First Nations guide through the Cadi Jam Ora garden to discover Indigenous bush foods and learn how they were used traditionally – before sampling.

        • An Indigenous guide pointing to a carved tree on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW © James Tran
        • Aboriginal Heritage Tour at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia
        • Guests learning about Aboriginal culture on a guided tour in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

          1km from Sydney

          Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour

          with The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

          Join an experienced First Nations guide on a walking tour of the foreshore and discover the rich Gadigal heritage of the Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Harbour.

          • Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours - Mark Saddler guide along river in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Tourism Australia
          • Guide Mark Saddler pointing out over the landscape.
          • Aerial view of Bundyi Cultural Tours vehicle

            11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

            Aboriginal Special Places Tour

            with Bundyi Cultural Tours

            Look, smell, learn and immerse yourself in Wiradjuri culture as Mark Saddler shares his ancient Country and its many spectacular and significant sites.

            • Looking out over the landscape.
            • Guide Mark Saddler preparing fire for smoking ceremony.
            • Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours guide Mark Saddler sharing his knowledge with tourists in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Destination NSW

              11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

              Aboriginal Walkabout Tour

              with Bundyi Cultural Tours

              This leisurely walk around Wagga Wagga visits key Wiradjuri sites along the ancient Marrambidya Bila (Murrumbidgee River), where you may even meet the local wildlife.

              • Burrawa Indigenous Climb Experience, Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW © Tourism Australia
              • A family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience in Sydney/Warrane © Destination NSW
              • burrawa-indigenous-climb-experience-sydney-nsw-b665406-56

                2km from Sydney

                Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience

                with Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience

                For a fascinating cultural perspective of an iconic landmark and its surrounds, summit the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an Indigenous storyteller guide.

                • Aboriginal storytelling under the gum trees at Firescreek Winery Aboriginal Experiences, NSW © Tourism Australia
                • didgeridoo-performance-firescreek-winery-new-south-wales-665415-56
                • firescreek-winery-sydney-new-south-wales-665416-56

                  100km from Sydney

                  Firescreek Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience

                  with Firescreek Botanical Winery Aboriginal Experiences

                  Enjoy a taste of bush tucker, award-winning wines and traditional Aboriginal storytelling as an Aboriginal guide leads this memorable hands-on experience.

                  • Group enjoying a stand-up paddleboarding tour with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, NSW © Destination NSW
                  • The Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours stand-up paddleboarding experience on the Corindi River, NSW © Destination NSW
                  • A drone shot of Red Rock, NSW © Tourism Australia

                    5km from Coffs Harbour Airport

                    Full-Day Cultural Tour: Paddle and Walk

                    with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours

                    Combine a blissful stand-up paddleboarding tour with an insightful cultural walking tour, immersing you in Gumbaynggirr stories, language and bush tucker.

                    • Dreamtime Southern X’s Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony at Blues Point Reserve, NSW © Destination NSW
                    • Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW © Destination NSW
                    • Dreamtime Southern X’s Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony at Blues Point Reserve, NSW © Destination NSW

                      1.5km from Sydney

                      Ghurryungun – Welcome to Country

                      with Dreamtime Southern X

                      Be accepted into Sydney/Warrane’s heart with a smoking ceremony – an ancient Aboriginal ritual that invites the ancestors to guide and protect you on your journey.

                      •  An Indigenous guide teaching guests about traditional Aboriginal artefacts on a group tour at The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, NSW © James Tran
                      • A group walking through The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW © James Tran
                      • A group walking through The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

                        1km from Sydney

                        Group Aboriginal Cultural Tour

                        with The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

                        Join an experienced Aboriginal guide on a tailored walking tour and discover the rich Aboriginal heritage, flora and fauna of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

                        • Margret Campbell taking guests on a Dreamtime Southern X tour around Sydne/Warrane, NSW © Tourism Australia
                        • Margret Campbell touching The Rocks on a Dreamtime Southern X tour around Sydney/Warrane, NSW © Tourism Australia
                        • Margret Campbell taking guests on a Dreamtime Southern X tour around Sydney/Warrane, NSW © Destination NSW

                          1.5km from Sydney

                          Illi-Langi – The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour

                          with Dreamtime Southern X

                          Feel the ancient heartbeat that pulses through Sydney/Warrane as your Aboriginal guide reveals the Dreamtime wisdoms embedded in and around the harbour.

                          • Group heading to Moonee Creek on the Coffs Coast for a stand-up paddl boarding tour with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, NSW © Destination NSW
                          • Four stand-up paddle boarders on a Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours experience, NSW © Destination NSW
                          • An aerial shot of stand-up paddleboarders on a Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours experience, NSW © Tourism Australia

                            80km from Coffs Harbour Airport

                            Stand-up Paddleboarding Tour

                            with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours

                            Learn all about Gumbaynggirr Country while paddling the waterways of the Coffs Coast’s Solitary Islands Marine Park. Three locations reveal different stories.

                            • Guide Mark Saddler painting his face with ochre.
                            • Guide painting guest's hand with ochre.
                            • Women getting off a Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours bus in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Destination NSW

                              11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

                              Taste of Wiradjuri Cultural Tour

                              with Bundyi Cultural Tours

                              Visit Kengal and more sacred sites as your Aboriginal guide, Mark Saddler, shares his knowledge of Wiradjuri life and language, and serves up a barbecue lunch.

                              • Women getting off a Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours bus in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Destination NSW
                              • bundyi-aboriginal-cultural-tours-wagga-wagga-new-south-wales-661494-56
                              • Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours guide Mark Saddler sharing his knowledge with tourists in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Destination NSW

                                11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

                                Wiradjuri Culture and Winery Private Tour

                                with Bundyi Cultural Tours

                                On this intimate tour you’ll learn about Wiradjuri culture, visit a brewery and a goldmine, and enjoy an exclusive lunch and wine-tasting.

                                • Guide, Mark Sadler on river bank.
                                • Guide Mark Sadler on tour.
                                • Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours guide Mark Saddler sharing his knowledge with tourists in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Destination NSW

                                  11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

                                  Wiradjuri Motorcycle Tour - Full Day

                                  with Bundyi Cultural Tours

                                  Explore Wiradjuri culture on a full-day guided motorcycle tour around Wagga Wagga. Visit sites, learn, and enjoy an exclusive winery visit with lunch.

                                  • Guide Mark Sadler pointing out over landscape.
                                  • Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours guide Mark Saddler sharing his knowledge with tourists in Wagga Wagga, NSW © Destination NSW
                                  • Guide, Mark Sadler on river bank.

                                    11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

                                    Wiradjuri Motorcycle Tour - Half Day

                                    with Bundyi Cultural Tours

                                    Discover Wiradjuri culture on a half-day motorcycle tour in Wagga Wagga. Explore sites, learn about culture, and connect with the Wiradjuri people.

                                    • Dreamtime Southern X’s mini coach tour, NSW © Dreamtime Southern X
                                    • Dreamtime Southern X’s mini coach tour, NSW © Dreamtime Southern X
                                    • Dreamtime Southern X’s mini coach tour, NSW © Dreamtime Southern X

                                      4.5km from Sydney

                                      Wyanga Malu – Tour by Coach

                                      with Dreamtime Southern X

                                      Explore Sydney/Warrane with Aboriginal guides and discover five sacred sites hidden in plain sight, including ancient rock engravings.

                                      • Yuin retreat accommodation - Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness ©ngaranngarancultureawareness
                                      • A traditional ceremony welcoming visitors to Yuin Country on Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness’ Yuin Retreat, NSW © Tourism Australia
                                      • Camping tents on Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness’ Yuin Retreat, NSW © Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness

                                        58km from Moruya Airport

                                        Yuin Retreat

                                        with Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness

                                        Discover Dreaming stories of Djirringanj Country, the heart of the Yuin Nation. Experience ceremonies, guided walks, healing sessions, Aboriginal dining and more.

                                        An aerial of a woman swimming in Mount Mulligan Falls, QLD © Tourism Australia

                                        What's New

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                                        Quad bikes driving past water on a Sand Dune Adventures tour in Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia

                                        Discover Aboriginal Experiences launches 4 member case studies on sustainable tourism for Earth Day 2024

                                        A collective of quality, authentic, Aboriginal-guided tourism offerings, Discover Aboriginal Experiences (DAE) is delighted to launch four case studies on collective members going to extraordinary lengths when it comes to sustainable tourism, whether that relates to protecting the environment, community, culture – or all three.

                                        Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism Australia

                                        How to experience regenerative travel on an Aboriginal tour

                                        More than ever, tourists are conscious of the impact their presence has on the landscapes they visit – particularly when they’re travelling to fragile, far-flung environments. Welcome to ‘regenerative travel’, the concept of leaving a place better than you found it and the next step in sustainable travel.

                                        Dreamtime Southern X’s Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony at Blues Point Reserve, NSW © Destination NSW

                                        Meet the women leading the Aboriginal tourism charge

                                        Much of the growth in Aboriginal cultural tourism has happened in the years since Sydney/Warrane hosted the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, and many credit Aunty Margret Campbell with spearheading the movement. An Elder from New South Wales’ Dunghutti-Jerrinja Nation, Margret has seen a huge shift in awareness over the last two decades.

                                        Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness Tourism Australia

                                        Discover Aboriginal Experiences launches exciting trade and media offerings

                                        Journalists and trade can take a deep dive into the DAE collective via the freshly launched 2024 Discover Aboriginal Experiences Media Kit, which contains a comprehensive portfolio of stories and ideas to inspire features and offer insights into Australia’s rich history and the world’s oldest living cultures.

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                                        Discover Aboriginal Experiences welcomes five new members

                                        From Broome in Western Australia to a World Heritage-listed site in Victoria, the five newest members in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio offer a range of eye-opening experiences lasting from a few hours to a few days.

                                        As custodians of the land, Anangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru. To share their story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.

                                        Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

                                        Seeing Uluru in a new light

                                        by Natasha Dragun

                                        We were there when Wintjiri Wiru launched in May this year, and enjoyed a fascinating panel discussion about the show.

                                        mandingalabay-cruise

                                        Meet our newest member: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

                                        by Natasha Dragun

                                        From Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Indigenous rangers take guests on an immersive ride to explore this country through Aboriginal eyes.

                                        Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, Ayers Rock Resort, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

                                        Understanding Aboriginal etiquette

                                        by Fleur Bainger

                                        Did you know it’s impolite in Aboriginal cultures to look someone directly in the eye? Or that shaking hands isn’t always the done thing? How about that it’s taboo for women to play the didgeridoo?

                                        Wukalina walk, Launceston, TAS © Rob Burnett

                                        5 globally sought-after travel experiences elevated by Aboriginal guides

                                        by Fleur Bainger

                                        Australia lays claim to a world-renowned suite of tourism experiences. But it’s not as well known that many of these bucket-list activities can be experienced with an Aboriginal guide.

                                        An aerial of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and ocean, WA © Tourism Australia

                                        Uncover the deep cultural significance of Aboriginal place names

                                        by Natasha Dragun

                                        For more than 65,000 years, Aboriginal place names have carried knowledge passed down through generations. They’re symbolic of the Indigenous relationships to, and appreciation for, the land and water.

                                        Frequently Asked Questions

                                        Why isn’t it called Discover Indigenous Experiences?

                                        The name of the collective was informed by the strong international recognition of the term ‘Aboriginal’ and its association with Australia, though all references to Aboriginal peoples on the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website should be assumed to include Torres Strait Islander peoples where relevant.

                                        If I’ve done an Aboriginal tour before, why book another?

                                        Aboriginal Australia is made up of dozens of different 'Nations’, each with their own culture, customs, language and laws. This means that no two Aboriginal experiences are the same, so you’re guaranteed to learn something new on each and every tour, from ancient sustainability practices to cultural stories linked to the local landscape.  

                                        There’s also an incredible diversity of Aboriginal experiences to choose from. Whether you prefer relaxed walking tours, or an exhilarating quad-biking adventure is more your style, Aboriginal tour options come in all shapes and sizes, and last from less than an hour to multiple days.

                                        Do I need to go to the outback for an Aboriginal tour?

                                        The Australian outback is well known for its Aboriginal experiences, but you don’t have to go bush, as we say in Australia, to get a taste of Aboriginal cultures. Aboriginal experiences are available all over the country, all year round, including in major cities.

                                        Are Aboriginal experiences appropriate for kids?

                                        Aboriginal experiences offer fantastic opportunities for families of all kinds to learn together and bond, with many experiences including hands-on activities young ones will love.  

                                        Aboriginal guides are warm, welcoming and extremely generous of spirit. They are also incredible storytellers, with a knack for bringing landscapes to life through evocative tales bound to enthral kids big and small.

                                        How can I be considerate of culture on an Aboriginal tour?

                                        Cultural exchange is at the heart of Aboriginal experiences, with questions welcomed on all tours. Your guides may not always have the answers, but no questions are off-limits if posed respectfully.

                                        Remember to ask permission before taking photographs of Aboriginal people or cultural sites.

                                        How do I book an Aboriginal tour?

                                        Simply search for tours on the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website, then click through to book directly with the operator.

                                        I have restricted mobility or special needs. Can I still book a tour?

                                        Many Aboriginal operators are equipped to cater to guests with restricted mobility and other special needs. Most companies also offer private tours that can be tailored to your needs; enquire directly with the operators.

                                        Are all of the experiences listed on this website currently available?

                                        Tours and experiences offered by Discover Aboriginal Experiences operators are continually evolving. Contact operators directly for more information about their current offerings.

                                        What should I bring with me on a tour?

                                        Check with your operator for specifics, but if your tour is outdoors, comfortable walking shoes, adequate drinking water and sun protection are essential. A willingness to listen, learn and have fun will serve you well on any Aboriginal tour.

                                        Do I need to be vaccinated?

                                        The Australian Government no longer requires international travellers to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia. Some Discover Aboriginal Experiences operators may have COVID-19 health requirements of their own; contact operators directly to check.

                                        What is Discover Aboriginal Experiences?

                                        Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collective of quality, authentic Aboriginal guided tourism experiences showcasing the world’s oldest living cultures. 

                                        This flagship suite of extraordinary Aboriginal experiences is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program that promotes outstanding and inspiring experiences that capture the very essence of Australia.

                                        Where can I find a travel agent to help me book an experience?

                                        An Aussie Specialist has the knowledge and experience to help you plan and book an Aboriginal-guided tour as part of your trip to Australia. Search for a travel agent here .

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