Incredible Aboriginal Cultural Tours and Experiences

By Amy Fraser

Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences offer a new perspective and unique insight into the world’s oldest living culture. Expect to broaden your mind as you feast your eyes on ten-thousand-year-old rock art, experience traditional ceremonies and marvel at the landscape that encompasses this vibrant culture. Here are 10 of the best Aboriginal experiences in Australia.

Dive into the reef’s Indigenous culture

Blending two of the most remarkable experiences in Australia – a connection to both the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest living culture – this cultural day out will open up your eyes to much more than just the reef’s beauty. Across five hours you can expect a snorkelling experience on the reef with Indigenous creation stories, dances, didgeridoo playing and delicious bush foods sprinkled along the way. There’s no doubt you’ll come away with so much more than a bucket list experience ticked.

Find connection on the wukalina Walk

The wukalina Walk is a four-day mindful walk on Tasmania’s beautiful northwestern coast that brings together storytelling, connection and perspective. The white sand and blue skies are sure to inspire you, but what will truly move you is the opportunity to walk with your palawa guide on the land their people have called home for thousands of years. The comfortable accommodation and exquisite meals are a bonus.

See Sydney from a new perspective

Even in the midst of exciting cities like Sydney, you can find a connection to Aboriginal culture. Join a Dreamtime Southern X walking tour and you’ll learn about Sydney’s heritage long before the city became the bustling destination it is today. While you wander the historical Rocks precinct, your guide will share the area’s authentic history and uncover the spiritual connection that Aboriginal peoples have with Sydney Harbour’s land and waterways.

Explore an 800-million-year-old landscape

Visiting the Flinders Ranges is a bucket list experience in itself. Surrounded by a beguiling 800 million-year-old landscape, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping views or cultural experiences here. Join a Yura Aboriginal guide from Wilpena Pound Resort to experience the Adnyamathanha people’s rich cultural history. Discover ancient rock engravings in a sacred canyon, listen to Creation stories over a glowing sunset or lay your eyes on some of the oldest fossils on Earth.

Discover a connection between land and sea

Pristine pearls, fresh oysters and a coastline coated with vivid red cliffs, turquoise ocean and bright white sand – there’s plenty to love about the Dampier Peninsula. Get to know the ins and outs of this spell-binding pocket of Western Australia with 4th generation pearler and Bardi man, Terry Hunter, on a Borrgoron Coast to Creek Tour. Learn how the Bardi Jawi people have lived in harmony with the land for thousands of years, forage bush foods, discover medicinal plants and hear the origins of the Australian pearling industry.

Wander through the world’s oldest living rainforest

Mossman Gorge is as serene as it is enchanting. Nestled in the world’s oldest living rainforest, there’s much more to experience here than simply soaking in the crystal-clear waters. On a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, your Aboriginal guide will lead you along secret tracks and culturally significant sites, bringing the Daintree Rainforest to life through bush food demonstrations, cultural stories of the land and insight into the Kuku Yalanji’s way of life. This is undoubtedly the true Mossman Gorge experience.

Experience dinner with a difference

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park should be towards the top of any culture lover’s list. Known as the spiritual heart of Australia, it’s a region laden with rich culture and breathtaking monoliths. After exploring Uluru in daylight, experience its wonder under the outback night sky. Your Sounds of Silence evening includes canapes and sparkling wine over the melting sunset, a three-course Indigenous-inspired meal, a live didgeridoo performance and an Aboriginal astronomy experience to remember.

See a different side of Margaret River

While it’s easy to spend your visit to Margaret River sipping world-class wines and dipping your toes in the ocean, a day out with Wadandi man, Josh Whiteland, will give you a whole new appreciation for this incredibly diverse region. Join Josh on one of Koomal Dreaming’s cultural experiences, from a didgeridoo performance in an ancient cave’s natural amphitheatre to tucking into traditional bush foods along the Cape to Cape track. Get ready to broaden your mind and feel goosebumps (of the best kind).

Connect to culture on a multi-day adventure

Lords Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris offer the unique opportunity to uncover both Arnhemland and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park across multiple days. Their bespoke private tours allow you to connect to an ancient landscape – its Traditional Owners, cultural practices and wildlife – with an itinerary of your design. Imagine floating down a river with crocodiles, hiking through an Aboriginal rock art gallery and camping under a sky punctuated with stars.