Australia’s Indigenous culture is the oldest surviving culture in the world, and Queensland is where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures intersect, resulting in some of the country’s top Indigenous experiences.
With around 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups in Queensland alone, there is over 65,000 years of ancestral knowledge embedded within the state. The Indigenous culture of the state has roots from the Queensland outback, all the way to the tropical isles of the Torres Strait.
On your next trip to Queensland, be sure to learn more about the rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures that are at the heart of the state through these top Indigenous experiences that include either experiential learning tours or by simply visiting different centres and museums.
Experiential learning
Embark on a full-day education adventure with Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours. Departing from Cairns on a boat, you will learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have inhabited Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for tens of thousands of years. Immerse yourself in a three hour eco-cultural tour of the ancestral lands of the local Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal people, beginning with a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony, followed by a guided walk in Grey Peaks National Park.
In the park, you will learn how to find edible and medicinal plants that have kept the Mandingalbay Yidinji people healthy. Learn about the deep spiritual connection that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to the tropical north of Queensland, and end the day with tea and a coconut damper, a traditional Australian bread cooked over an open fire.
If you are already planning on exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef up-close, book a tour with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel in order to get the full Australian experience! This tour incorporates learning about the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander culture with the typical Great Barrier Reef adventure. The crew of Aboriginal and Torres Straight sea rangers will teach you how they practise their ancient culture in the modern world. Experience traditional dances, while the didgeridoo plays on the boat, and see how clap sticks are used as percussion instruments.
The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at the Rainforestation Nature Park is another authentic tour that will be sure to teach you loads while also providing a fun adventure for the day. A 2019 Queensland Tourism Award winner in the gold category for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience is run by local Indigenous guides who welcome you to join them on a journey to discover the Dreamtime, through an hour long Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Performance and Dreamtime Walk through the rainforest of Kuranda in tropical North Queensland. The Dreamtime formed Aboriginal spiritual beliefs, cultural practices, and shaped their understanding of the world.
Another incredible experience is Spirits of the Red Sand, a live theatre performance that depicts the story of an Aboriginal family in their journey from Dreamtime to the 1800s as the British and Aboriginal people collided in Australia. Indulge all your senses through a three-course dinner, while you are encompassed with Indigenous song and dance, and even meet and greet with the cast and crew after the performance.
Centres to Visit
If you’re looking for more of a self-guided Indigenous experience, choose from some of the top education centres of Queensland.
At Outback at Isa, explore a heritage centre with botanical garden and fish hatchery that allows you to learn about the traditional use of native flora, and discover the deep significance of Indigenous artworks and artefacts in its history museum.
The Carnvarvon Gorge, located in the Carnarvon National Park, boasts over 70,000 visitors each year. With one of the most significant collections of ancient artworks in Australia, you can walk to the ‘Art Gallery,’ which is home to over 2,000 paintings, ochre stencils and engravings along a 62 meter stretch of sandstone wall within the park.
At the Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Centre and Museum, browse Indigenous artefacts and archaeological items. The bush tucker garden and trail invite you to explore native bush tucker, such as honeyberries, pigweed, and native gooseberries.
Be sure to visit the Betoota Serpent, just west of the ghost town of Betoota, on the road between Betoota and Birdsville. This large-scale, open-air artwork was created from stone and gibbers to tell Indigenous women’s Dreamtime stories, and can be seen on the hillside from a distance. The sculpture represents the river systems that connect the Channel Country of Queensland.
Another great educational option is the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which is the Gold Coast’s only dedicated Aboriginal cultural centre. This centre, owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community, offers Welcome to Country ceremonies, educational programs, and guided walking tours of Burleigh Head National Park.
If you are looking to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander culture, Queensland is the state to visit! Choose from traditional educational centres or more hands-on experiential learning options to make the most of your next visit!
For more information on the best places to stay and eat in Queensland, Australia, click here!
