Voyages Indigenous Tourism, Mossman Gorge Centre, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Unique Aboriginal guided walks in Australia
Ancient caves, rock engravings, native wildlife and oyster foraging. Experience it all during these immersive, First Nations guided walks in Australia.
The Daintree Rainforest, about two hours north of Cairns, is – in a word – breathtaking. This World Heritage-listed site is home to the Kuku Yalanji people, to whom the rainforest is more than trees and vines; contained within its canopy are traditional medicines, delicious native foods and sacred stories. Join a full or half-day guided Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk to meander through this enchanting environment, learning about ancient traditions – from medicinal plant use to foraging techniques and ochre painting. The tour begins with a traditional smoking ceremony.
Aboriginal rock art is one of the oldest forms of art in the world, so witnessing these ancient depictions is like looking straight into another time. Some of Australia’s most impressive Indigenous artworks can be found in South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, a mecca for Aboriginal cultural sites including the Sacred Canyon, home to the Adnyamathanha ‘rock’ people. On a Yura Malka Cultural Walk from Wilpena Pound Resort, you can discover the rock engravings of the Sacred Canyon, while your guide talks through the significance of the site to the Adnyamathanha people.
The traditional custodians of the Dampier Peninsula, the Bardi (land) and Jawi (island) people, have been working with their natural environment for tens of thousands of years, using sustainable hunting techniques, fishing practices and bush ingredients for both food and medicinal purposes. Here, about two hours north of Broome, you can combine a cultural experience with world-class seafood. The Borrgoron Coast to Creek Tour at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm will open your eyes to this unique Aboriginal culture that revolves around the land and sea. Join Bardi Jawi man Terry Hunter on a walk across the farm, where you’ll put your learnings to practice as you forage for fresh oysters.
Lutruwita (Tasmania) is steeped in First Nations culture, and one of the best ways to experience it is by traversing the land with a local palawa guide. wukalina Walk is more than a walk; it’s a spiritual, cultural and physical journey. On this experience, you’ll be invited to ‘takara waranta’ (walk with us) across your guides’ homeland in Tasmania's east, including remarkable sites such as the Bay of Fires and Mt William National Park. Expect four incredible days of luxury accommodation and native food alongside cultural activities, wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes.
Looking for an experience you can’t find anywhere in the world? Among Australia’s fascinating ancient landscapes is the phenomenal Cutta Cutta Caves National Park, just 30 minutes south of the Northern Territory’s Katherine. Just like many things in this country, these tropical cave systems – formed millions of years ago – are unique to Australia, as is the array of wildlife that calls them home. Wander deep into the caves on a one-hour guided tour with Nitmiluk Tours to feast your eyes on dazzling limestone formations while you listen to the history of this remarkable ecosystem.
Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill is a must-stop along the Great Ocean Road. A guided walk through the nature reserve offers more than just close-up encounters with iconic Australian animals, but a glance into 65,000 years of the Gunditjmara Aboriginal culture, the Traditional Custodians of this land. If that doesn’t blow you away, the landscape will. Tower Hill is one of Victoria’s oldest dormant volcanoes, believed to have erupted over 32,000 years ago – an event known to have been witnessed by the Gunditjamara people. Immerse yourself in the history on a two-hour walk, where you’ll learn to identify native plants, meet wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and echidnas, and learn to throw a returning boomerang.
Even in the heart of Australian cities, you can experience the wonders of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens are home to stunning native plants and traditional bush foods – not to mention unparalleled views of the harbour. Embark on a one-hour Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour to learn about native plants and bush foods used by the Traditional Custodians of Gadigal Land. Afterwards, you’ll be served traditional damper bread and tea – the perfect way to round off your urban First Nations experience.
There’s nothing quite like the sight of the National Arboretum’s immaculate landscape; a scene that encapsulates the connection between nature, culture and education in Canberra. Across 250 hectares sits over 44,000 endangered trees, an abundance of native Australian plants – commonly used in Indigenous cultures – innovative sculptures and forest walking trails galore. Join an experience with Ngala Tours to connect with the National Arboretum’s fascinating landscape. Listen to ancient stories of the forest, weave native plants into a piece of art, and gain a greater understanding of the benefits of bush ingredients for medicinal and culinary purposes.
