Australia’s traditional owners have maintained a strong connection to Country for more than 65,000 years, passing down cultural practices through generations.
The city of Melbourne is the home of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation. The traditional name for Melbourne is Narrm, which comes from the Woiwurrung language.
For visitors hoping to explore this beautiful city, cultural tours and museums offer the perfect chance to learn more about its Indigenous owners.
Birrarung Marr
Just around the corner from the Koorie Heritage Trust, you will find Birrarung Marr (which translates to ‘river of mists’). Home to native flora, bicycle paths and a children’s art centre, this area is also the site of the Birrarung Wilam Aboriginal art installation. This series of environmental artworks celebrate the five groups of the Kulin Nation, centred on a contemporary recreation of a sitting place.
It also features etched metal panels representing possum-skin cloaks, which interpret each element of Birrarung Marr and share a sound installation of Indigenous voices.
Children will love exploring the playground and taking part in the programs at ArtPlay, the on site creative space where they can participate in a range of workshops run by artists.
When taking a walk through the urban park, you’ll spot several other installations and culturally significant locations. It’s the ideal way to spend an afternoon on a sunny day.
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Located inside the Melbourne Museum, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre celebrates Koorie culture and history. First Peoples is a permanent exhibition tracking the story of Aboriginal Victoria from the time of Creation to today, featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on activity tables for kids. Stronger Families, Stronger Communities is another permanent exhibition, which shares the voices of nine men who have taken part in a family violence healing and leadership program to end the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Bunjilak’s art space houses three exhibitions a year with work by contemporary artists. The museum also looks out onto the Indigenous garden, which is filled with plants, sculptures, and a cave with Indigenous paintings. There are nine stopping points along the garden trail, where you can learn more about Indigenous connection to Country. Indigenous guides run daily eel feeding demonstrations in Milarri Pond, where you can learn about the importance of these fish to First National people.
Just outside of Bunjilaka, you will find Judy Watson’s impressive artwork Wurreka, which is an etched zinc wall embodying survival, resilience, resistance and strength. In 1999, Judy travelled to key Indigenous cultural sites to develop the design for the wall, and it continues to stand as an ongoing conversation between Aboriginal cultural heritage and the landscapes of Victoria.
Admission prices vary for the centre. Before you visit, plan ahead and look online to book your tickets.
Koorie Heritage Trust
The Koorie Heritage Trust is a not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation that’s proudly First Nations owned and managed. The trust, which is located on the banks of the Birrarung Marr (Yarra River), runs exhibitions and public programs throughout the year to celebrate contemporary First Nations artists and connect visitors with their stories.
Every day, at 1pm, the centre hosts a guided cultural experience known as the Birrarung Wilam Walk. Led by an expert guide, the immersive walk winds along the Birrarung to the Aboriginal art installations at Birrarung Wilam (River Camp). As you walk, your guide will share stories from Melbourne’s traditional owners, and point out how the landscape has changed over time.
When you get back to the trust building, make sure to check out the permanent collection. Located on the third floor, this collection features artworks, artefacts, oral history recordings and photographs that represent the continuing journey of Australia’s Aboriginal peoples. The items are rotated regularly, meaning you can discover something new on every visit.
Indigenous Melbourne, Hosier Lane
Street art is a staple of Melbourne, tucked away into every corner and cobblestoned lane. One of the most famous examples of incredible street art can be found on Hosier Lane, which is constantly changing as new artists leave their mark on the colourful walls. It’s here that famed Melbourne graffiti artist Matt Adante has painted a large portrait of an Aboriginal boy, which rises proudly above the surrounding buildings.
Adnate also created the Shepparton Aboriginal Street Art murals, which has been named ‘Dana Djirrungana Dunguludja Yenbena-I’ by locals (meaning proud, strong Aboriginal people in Yorta Yorta language). The murals display historically significant figures such as the earliest known Aboriginal midwife, Nanny Charles, as well as Aboriginal rights activist and local Elder, Aunty Margaret Tucker (MBE). The project aims to celebrate and recognise local Aboriginal history.
One thing to remember is the art in Hosier Lane is ever-changing, meaning there is no guarantee how long certain artworks will last. It also means that you may discover something new each time you visit.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens
To learn about Aboriginal connection to Country, book a guided tour in the Royal Botanic Gardens. On an Aboriginal Heritage Walk, you will be led through the beautiful gardens by a First Peoples guide as they identify native plants and share their traditional uses for food, medicine and tools.
Starting at the Visitor’s Centre, your group will soak in the colourful and rich natural surroundings, while also learning about Indigenous connection to Country. Make sure to book a ticket for this impactful tour.
Take a self-guided tour
Amazingly, engaging with Indigenous culture in Melbourne can be as easy as opening an app. Yalinguth is an award-winning First Nations audio app that takes users on a walking tour of Melbourne. There are two experiences to choose from – one in Ngár-go/Fitzroy, and the other along the Birrarung/Yarra River.
The app uses geo-located stories and sounds to take you on a journey through time. Navigate your surroundings using audio cues and a simple map highlighting where to find stories, songs, and poems on your way.
Elders will guide you through the experience, which spans across pre-colonial times, the rights movement, Aboriginal organisations, stolen generations, AFL, and the ongoing strength of the Indigenous community.
Work, school and community groups can also book a part app, part live immersive tour, where a knowledgable Indigenous guide will lead you through one of the walks while sharing stories, rituals and knowledge. The tours are designed to bring greater awareness to the community, and must be booked by emailing Yalinguth via the website.
Yalinguth is a Woi wurrung word meaning ‘yesterday’, and is dedicated to sharing Indigenous history through story, song and soundscapes.
Loving this story on Indigenous Melbourne? Check out the best Indigenous experiences in Adelaide here.
Travel to Melbourne
You can travel to Melbourne with Rex Airlines. Book your flight here.
