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Brisbane: First Nations experiences

You needn’t travel far to embark on an immersive journey through First Nations art, storytelling, performance and food. Brisbane is home to an array of experiences and events that embrace First Nations culture and history, from inner-city galleries to rural retreats. Learn more about Brisbane’s rich First Nations heritage and influence with these experiences.

QAGOMA’s First Artists: Cultural Experiences

Celebrate and connect with First Nations art and culture at QAGOMA’s (Queensland Gallery of Modern Art) immersive First Artists: Cultural Experiences program. Developed in collaboration with Brisbane-founded Blaklash Creative, the program offers two unique and enriching experiences that hero First Nations art, music, native food, dance, culture and storytelling. The Exceptional Indigenous Art & Dining Experience begins with a powerful Welcome to Country and a private after-hours tour of the gallery’s artworks with a First Nations storyteller, artist and curator before hosting a dinner created by Koori Chef Chris Jordan in collaboration with QAGOMA’s Head Chef, Aaron Holt. The Evening Indigenous Experience also features a private tour and culinary delights from the two chefs as well as an interactive, hands-on activity led by a local Indigenous artist. 

Yarriba Dreaming

Reconnect in nature on a three-day Indigenous immersion tour of Mount Barney Lodge in the Scenic Rim, a destination recently crowned by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Regions in the World to Visit. Led by Gurruhmun ‘Old Man Kangaroo’, a Ugarapul and Bidjara Man, the tour offers a rare opportunity to participate in cultural practices and experiences including a traditional smoking ceremony, storytelling around an ancient birthing water hole, bush tucker sampling and hunting skills including spear and boomerang throwing. Visitors will leave with a greater understanding of Indigenous Australian culture and practices and a spiritual connection to the idyllic landscape.

Delvene Cockatoo Collins Art

Proud Quandamooka woman and artist Delvene Cockatoo Collins creates art and designs textiles and clothing to express the stories of her family’s lived experiences on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island. Delvene’s artwork, handprinted homewares, sculptures and ceramics can be viewed and purchased from her retail store and studio in Goompi/Dunwich. Experience Minjerribah through the artist’s eyes with a three-hour cultural experience that includes a walking tour of the Island’s public art and a workshop where you can create your own art to take home. 

Nyanda Cultural Tours

Tour Nudgee Waterhole Reserve under the knowledgeable guidance of members of the Jagera people and experience Aboriginal storytelling, a smoke ceremony, weaving and cultural demonstrations. Sample traditional bush foods including wattle seed damper with rosella, wild lime and lilly pilly jams and Nyanda’s special lemon myrtle cordial. Through hands-on experiences, traditions and customs, you can forge a strong connection to First Nations culture and understand the significance of the waterholes to the Jagera people. Tours operate daily by appointment between 9am and 4pm. 

Dreamtime Kullilla‑Art

Dreamtime Kullilla-Art is a family-owned and operated art gallery in the Redcliffe Peninsula fostering respect and appreciation for Aboriginal culture through art and craft. The store has a range of authentic products created by Indigenous artists and craftspeople such as boomerangs, books, medicines, bush tucker, digeridoos and accessories available for purchase. Resident artist Michael Connolly is often in-store, crafting his range of beautiful artworks on canvas, didgeridoos, bark and other items and is always happy to spin a story or offer an exclusive tour of his studio space. Open Monday to Saturday. 

Birrunga Gallery & Dining   

Birrunga Gallery & Dining is a First Nations-owned gallery and café in Brisbane City and has won national recognition for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food experiences. The culturally immersive hub is a café by day and wine bar by night, serving modern Australian cuisine with a native bush tucker twist. Its gallery space exhibits First Nations contemporary art and includes a performance space for an immersive Indigenous cultural experience. Open Monday to Wednesday, 7am to 2pm, Thursday and Friday 7am to late and Saturday 9am to 2pm. 

Blackcard Cultural Tours   

Walk in the footsteps of Aboriginal ancestors through the heart of Meeanjin/Brisbane City with Blackcard Cultural Tours. Choose from one of its three unique tour offerings: the 90-minute  Brisbane Aboriginal Cultural Tour  or  Kurilpa Point and Cultural Precinct Walking Tour  or the three-hour  Cultural Tour and Weaving Session with Bush Tucker Tasting . Learn about Brisbane’s public collection of Aboriginal art and discover hidden gems on these memorable and eye-opening tours. Wear comfortable walking shoes and don’t forget your drink bottle, hat and camera.

Embrace the rich Indigenous culture at Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island on one of three packed Yura Tours itineraries. Engage in the Sand Beneath my Feet Cultural Walk and follow in the footsteps of the Island’s Quandamooka ancestors as you learn about their traditions. The tour takes you on an easy walk along the beach to Adder Rock for the South‑Passage Dreamtime Story. The Minjerribah Cultural Experience - Driving Tour begins with a beautiful Welcome to Country before exploring the Island and connecting you to Country. Learn about Minjerribah creation stories and its beautiful flora and fauna on the Land-Based Cultural Walking Tour. Depending on the time of year, you may spot the magical yallingbilla (whale) on their annual migration or spy native dolphins, kangaroos and turtles. 

Aboriginal Art Co.  

Located in South Brisbane near the Cultural Precinct, Aboriginal Art Co. is a First-Nations-led and-managed space that encompasses a retail shop, boutique gallery, outdoor courtyard and artist-in-residence studio. The one-of-a-kind multi-purpose space and meeting place invites visitors to connect with First Nations art and artists and explore the rich diversity and authentic history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture and artistic expression. From First Nations art to prints, sculptures, gifts and clothing, you’ll find it all in the one location. 

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7 Essential Indigenous Experiences in Brisbane & Beyond

• Kiff & Culture
• November 29, 2022

Yearning to learn the age-old customs of Southeast Queensland’s aboriginal custodians? You’ll find a slew of indigenous experiences in Brisbane and the surrounding region .

From art galleries to Dreamtime walking tours and traditional native cuisine, we’re covering the top seven options.

Spirits of the Red Sand

This award-winning Beenleigh centre showcases the world’s oldest living culture through theatrics. The Evening Experience combines a three-course dinner with a roving multi-stage performance. Over two hours, the show spans ancient aboriginal history to the tumultuous colonial era.

Corporate and educational groups can book daytime activities like cultural awareness workshops and didgeridoo lessons.

Aboriginal Art Co.

Situated in South Brisbane, Aboriginal Art Co. is a First Nations-run non-profit promoting indigenous arts. The group empowers aboriginal artists by giving consumers direct access to their work.

Swing by the on-site gallery or sign up for weaving or jewellery-making workshops. Scheduled Cultural Centre Precinct tours take in indigenous murals and sculptures.

Nyanda Cultural Tours

Nyanda Cultural Tours offers cultural awareness training for schools, conferences and corporate groups. Located near the Nudgee Waterholes, the company boasts an authentic bushland setting.

The program has a strong focus on traditional bush tucker. Expect to learn about exotic ingredients from Australia’s immense botanical diversity. Tours operate by appointment only.

Birrunga Gallery & Dining

Located in the CBD, Birrunga is Brisbane’s premiere aboriginal art gallery. The small but insightful space showcases original works from talented resident artists. If you’re hungry, the on-site café serves classic Mod-Oz dishes with a distinct indigenous twist.

Keen to wax lyrical with the creators? Book a guided tour with a resident First Nations artist. These passionate people provide valuable behind-the-artwork insights.

Black Card Visitor Tours

Black Card has become one of Brisbane’s leading cultural training centres. Run by two astute indigenous women, the centre helps the business sector develop cultural competency.

BlackCard also currently runs aboriginal culture tours for the general public. The trips cover indigenous customs, history, and art across Brisbane. Some even include bush tucker tastings and weaving sessions.

Quandamooka Tours

Located on sun-drenched Minjerribah ( North Stradbroke Island ), Quandamooka showcases its pristine natural beauty. Rather than indoor workshops, the company runs outdoor walking tours and whale-watching cruises.

Expert indigenous guides provide insightful commentary on their spiritual home. Learn about age-old customs and traditional food and medicine foraging techniques.

Yarriba Dreaming

Mount Barney serves as the magnificent backdrop for this outdoorsy aboriginal tour provider. Indigenous guides lead groups through spectacular Scenic Rim terrain . Walks range from short, family-friendly stints to intensive fitness-orientated programs.

For a next-level adventure, sign up for the Yarriba Dreaming tour. The three-day trip encompasses traditional ceremonies, bush survival, hunting techniques and artistic workshops.

Book Indigenous Experiences in Brisbane with Kiff & Culture

We’re always looking for fresh new ways to promote aboriginal experiences in our region.

For example, our Brisbane to Byron Food Trail includes an indigenous-led walking tour of Cape Byron. Participants get historical insights and traditional bush tucker tastings courtesy of an esteemed Arakwal woman.

We’ve got plenty more ideas in the pipeline, so watch this space.

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Kiff & Culture acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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Aboriginal Cultural Tours and Bush Food Experience

CULTURAL AWARENESS TOURS

Nyanda delivers tailored cultural awareness training to suit our clients’ core business and needs. We recognise that that for true reconciliation to occur there needs to be someone that understands where you are coming from and how to lead the way towards reconciliation, not only in our journey and experience of nationhood, but in the workplace too.

TEAM BUILDING

Relying on teamwork is the basis of any successful business or organisation. Productive and effective relationships are strengthened not only by challenging experiences, but by periods or repose and relaxation.

CONFERENCE / EVENT

Nyanda is the perfect place for hosting an event, whether it’s a birthday celebration or end of year business party. With plenty of space for the kids (and adults) to run around and expend their energy and a place for the parents to sit back and enjoy a drink.

VISITOR TOURS

A way for visitors to uniquely experience a connection to this ancient & culturally significant Aboriginal environment located so close to the City of Brisbane.

SCHOOL TOURS

Nyanda school tours are a unique opportunity for students to learn about First Nations people in a beautifully preserved natural and culturally significant area.

We are always constantly inspired by unique native Australian flavours, their versatility and compatability with flavours from all over the world and their ability to stand all on their own!

Wunya ... Welcome ... to Nyanda

We are conveniently situated only 25 mins from the heart of Brisbane city at the picturesque Nudgee Waterholes.

Visitor tours operate daily between 9am-4pm by appointment only.

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Jellurgal Cultural Tour, Burleigh Heads, Queensland © Chris Proud, Tourism and Events Queensland

Experience Aboriginal culture in Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Uncover the history and culture of this beautiful region through the eyes of its traditional custodians.

By Allie Metz

You don’t have to visit the outback to discover Australia’s Aboriginal culture. It thrives in all major cities, on land where Indigenous peoples have lived for tens of thousands of years. Listen to Dreamtime stories as you learn about their traditional ways of life and how their people have adapted to the changing landscape of their custodial lands.

Spirits of the Red Sand

Spirits of the Red Sand, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Where : Beenleigh, about 45 minutes from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Set in an authentic pre-European Aboriginal village, Spirits of the Red Sand is an immersive cultural and theatrical experience. By day, guests can participate in all aspects of Aboriginal life, including tasting bush tucker, boomerang painting and listening to Dreamtime stories. In the evening, enjoy a three-course dinner as you watch a masterpiece of Aboriginal storytelling. Through traditional song, dance, culture and community, witness the experience of three Aboriginal brothers and their families as they are confronted by the arrival of the first Europeans. The two ways of living collide and audiences will be captivated by this unforgettable story.

BlackCard Cultural Tours

 BlackCard Cultural Tours, Brisbane, Queensland © Telan Lindsey Photography/BlackCard Cultural Tours

Where : Brisbane city centre

Walk in the footsteps of the ancestors of the Turrbal people as you explore Meeanjin (Brisbane City) with an Aboriginal guide. Learn about Aboriginal art in the city, hear ancient knowledge passed through generations and watch meaningful cultural performances. BlackCard Cultural Tours gives you the opportunity to go beneath the modern city and discover a truly authentic, warm and culturally inclusive welcome to Brisbane.

Quandamooka Coast

Quandamooka Dancers, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Come in August to experience the Quandamooka Festival which features a program of live music, dance, art and cultural workshops.

Where : North Stradbroke Island, a 25-minute ferry from Cleveland near Brisbane

Join Quandamooka Coast on Australia’s only Indigenous-operated whale watching cruise. Tours operate from June to September in the waters off Mulgumpin ( Moreton Island ) and Minjerribah ( North Stradbroke Island ) and guides provide cultural and scientific knowledge about the whales and their migration. If you prefer to stay on dry land, join a cultural walk to identify bush tucker and medicinal plants and hear traditional Creation stories. You will gain a first-hand understanding of how the Aboriginal people of Minjerribah have lived for at least 25,000 years.

Birrunga Gallery and Dining

Birrunga Gallery & Dining, Brisbane, Queensland © Jesse Lindemann, Tourism and Events Queensland

Art gallery, performance space, café venue and a licensed wine bar, Birrunga Gallery and Dining is the only Indigenous-owned and operated cultural hub in Brisbane. The gallery supports First Nations artists, and visitors can view the art while relaxing in the café and enjoying a modern meal with bush tucker influences. The gallery also hosts their First Nations Artisan Market on the second Saturday of every month where visitors can purchase unique wares by local artists.

Brisbane's best museums, galleries and theatres

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

 Jellurgal Cultural Tour at Burleigh Heads, Queensland © Chris Proud, Tourism and Events Queensland

Where : Burleigh Heads, about 20 minutes from the Gold Coast

Burleigh Heads is a culturally significant area for the local Yugambeh people, having once been a feasting ground for Indigenous travellers passing through the region.  Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre offers guided walks of the local area with a focus on Aboriginal history and culture on the Gold Coast. You’ll hear the Dreamtime stories of Jellurgal (Burleigh Heads) as you stroll the picturesque beachside walkway and discover culturally significant sites. Learn about traditional life in the area, including where to find bush tucker and the ecological practices employed by the Yugambeh-speaking people for thousands of years. The centre also operates an art gallery showcasing works from local Aboriginal artists.

Tweed Eco Cruises

Tweed Eco Cruises, New South Wales © Tweed Eco Cruises 

Where : Tweed heads, about 40 minutes from the Gold Coast

For a chance to forage your own food, join Yugambeh Aboriginal Tribe Member Luther Cora as he retraces the footsteps of his ancestral people through the Terranora Lakes mangrove system in search of mud crab. On this unique tour , you will learn about traditional hunting methods and try your hand at using a bamboo spear to catch mudcrabs, stingrays and fish. The morning’s catch will be cooked on an open fire as your guides tell Yugambeh stories and play the didgeridoo. The tour also explores modern commercial fishing practices as you cruise through oyster leases, taste freshly shucked oysters and try yabbie pumping and fishing.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

• Aboriginal cultural landscape walking tour
• Aboriginal Environments Research Centre

Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Walking Tours offers guests a unique urban Aboriginal experience of the cultural landscape of Brisbane City, South Brisbane and West End.

Join Aboriginal scholar, Alex Bond on a walking tour of Brisbane, in which he highlights the traditional Aboriginal significance of places throughout this area, discussing important historical events which occurred during the colonial era, and explains the continued Aboriginal significance of the landscape today. If requested, Alex can be accompanied by Professor Paul Memmott as a support guide who will provide additional anthropological perspectives.

Tours are professionally organised through the University of Queensland. Both guides have immense knowledge and understanding of Australian Aboriginal cultures and lifeways and have held long-standing working relationships with members of the Indigenous community. Tours are informal and relaxed and invite open discussion between the guides and the visitors. We stop at various locations for toilet breaks, food and drink stops and to ensure everyone is having an enjoyable, informative and inspiring experience.

Tours are suitable for:

Corporate groups:

• Corporate/Government
• Educational facilitators
• Cultural Awareness Training
• Indigenous Supervisors and Mentors

Students: (must be a registered educational institution)

• University students
• College students
• Participants can expect to gain
• Meet your guides
• Tour Packages

1. Participants can expect to gain

• Unique and rare insight and knowledge of Aboriginal culture and heritage of the Brisbane region.
• Learn about the cultural exchanges and events that occurred between Indigenous tribal groups of the area, prior to colonisation and into the mid 1800s (including traditional ceremonies, initiations, inter-relationships, conflict resolution, songlines, lifeways etc)
• Learn about the relationships between Indigenous peoples and the colonial Australians as they transformed under the Aboriginal Acts in the 1900s
• Native title
• Land rights
• Aboriginal affairs and government policy
• AERC projects
• The Indigenous Design Place

Please contact us for more information on how you can engage with AERC: Architecture Engagement Phone: (07) 3365 3834 Email

* The Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Walking Tour is an initiative of the Indigenous Design Place, The University of Queensland.

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From the city buzz of South East Queensland to the reefs and rainforests of the Tropical North, Queensland offers you an abundance of experiences. Australia’s second largest state is home to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns as well as many of the nation’s premiere natural attractions. The Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and Fraser Island are all found in Queensland.

Queensland is home to numerous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations each with a unique culture and language; this cultural diversity means Queensland offers an exceptional opportunity to experience an array of cultural journeys.

Queensland is also home to an abundance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art both traditional and contemporary. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is among the oldest forms of art in the world. Like the different languages and cultures, art has a different meaning for different cultural groups. Colours and styles differ from one group to another, as do the messages and stories.

Explore Queensland

Cultural beach, mangroves and mudflat tour, dreamtime snorkel, spirits of the red sand - welcome to country daytime experience, spirits of the red sand - dinner and show, pamagirri aboriginal experience, saltwater cultural sailing adventure, daintree full day private charter, cultural beach, mangroves and mudflat tour - standard, jellurgal walkabout, brisbane aboriginal cultural tours - meanjin (brisbane city) 90 minutes, kurilpa point and cultural precinct walking tour, art gallery tour with birrunga wiradyuri, art gallery tour with kane brunjes, whale watching cultural walk, minjerribah, sand beneath my feet cultural walk, ultimate minjerribah cultural driving experience.

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Brisbane & Gold Coast

See a new side of spectacular South East Queensland with an Aboriginal guide.

Discover how Aboriginal cultures have thrived for millennia in Brisbane/Meeanjin (mee-an-jin), the Gold Coast and surrounds.

Experience Aboriginal theatre

Go beyond the golden beaches and buzzing nightlife of Queensland’s Gold Coast to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind Aboriginal dinner and theatre experience.

Challenge misconceptions

Perhaps you didn’t expect this corner of Australia to have such a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage. Learn the lesser-known stories of Brisbane/Meeanjin and beyond on an Aboriginal experience.

Boost your cultural awareness

Develop your understanding of Aboriginal identity and history and much more during an empowering cultural workshop hosted on the sunny Gold Coast.

• Urban Culture Experiences
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• Exclusive Accommodation
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• Under 2 hours
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16km from Sunshine Coast Airport

Native Bushfood and Seafood Cruise

with Saltwater Eco Tours

Learn the stories of Queensland’s Sea Country on a relaxed, gourmet river cruise including a five-course meal showcasing fresh local seafood and native ingredients.

Saltwater Cultural Tour

Immerse yourself in Indigenous cultures on a Traditional Owner-led cruise on the peaceful Mooloolah River, including a delicious bush tucker-inspired lunch.

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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.

26 Sept 2023

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.

23 June 2023

Meet our newest member: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

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

22 Feb 2023

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?

5 globally sought-after travel experiences elevated by Aboriginal guides

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.

Uncover the deep cultural significance of Aboriginal place names

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.

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Frequently asked questions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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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Indigenous Experiences Around Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers at Gold Coast. Photo credit: Brian Usher. Courtesy of Ocean Road Magazine, 2021.

If you’re looking for places to travel with the family next holidays, consider checking out the many incredible Indigenous cultural experiences that Brisbane/Meanjin Country and the Gold Coast/ Kombumerri, Mununjali and Wangerriburra tribal lands  has to offer (City of Gold Coast, 2022).

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of places to visit, from bushwalking tours, to stunning local art galleries, to delicious bush tucker taste tests and Aboriginal storytelling through live dance and theatre shows.

Aboriginal Heritage of Brisbane and the Gold Coast

The Turrbal and Yuggera peoples have lived in the Brisbane region for more than 32,000 years and their ancestors go back more than 60,000 years. The Turrbal and Jagera people speak Yuggera and their name for Brisbane is Meanjin . On May 13, 1998 the Turrbal people lodged a claim for native title of the Meanjin area starting at the North Pine River and extending down to the Logan River and inland as far as Moggil. In 1999, the application was accepted (Turrbal, 2022).

The Gold Coast is situated on the land of the Kombumerri, Mununjali and Wangerriburra families of the Yugambeh Language Region. The Yugambeh people’s traditional homelands extend from the Logan River in the north, south to the Tweed River and west to the mountain range (Yugambeh Museum, 2022).

Birrunga Gallery & Dining, Meanjin

Birrunga Gallery & Dining. Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland, 2021.

If you’re looking to explore Indigenous art and cuisine in Brisbane’s CBD, you’ll want to make a detour between Queen Street and Eagle Street to find Birrunga Gallery & Dining. As the only Indigenous-owned and operated venue within Brisbane’s CBD, the gallery aims to promote and advocate for local First Nations artists who haven't had the opportunity to display their works.

You’ll be able to enjoy an all day breakfast and lunch menu featuring native bush tucker ingredients, surrounded by the magnificent Indigenous paintings, sculptures and prints on display in the gallery.

The gallery offers guided tours, classes and 100% genuine Indigenous artefacts, paintings and prints for purchase. To add to their immersive experience, the Indigenous artists whose works are on display are regularly onsite to discuss the stories and processes behind their works.

Check out the link in their Instagram bio for more information, or to book a table, function or to check out their upcoming events.

Black Card Cultural Tours, Brisbane CBD

 Black Card Cultural Tours showing local Indigenous art around Meanjin/Brisbane. Courtesy of QAGOMA, 2022.

Journey through Brisbane city’s cultural precinct in an eye-opening 90 minute Aboriginal art walking tour. With your Indigenous guide, you’ll explore galleries, exhibitions, art installations and public sculptures and discover the vital role art plays within Indigenous culture and history. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes!

Black Card Cultural Tours also have a 3hr Cultural Tour and Weaving Session topped off with a Bush Tucker Tasting. You can book Cultural Tours via their website here .

Spirits of the Red Sand, Beenleigh 

Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal culture and dinner show. Courtesy of Get Your Guide, 2022.

Whether day or night, join Spirits of the Red Sand in their immersive cultural experiences that’s won them Gold at the 2022 Australian Tourism Awards and been voted as the RACQ #1 Must Do Queensland Experience. Located at the Beenleigh Historic Village, it's only a 30 minute drive from Brisbane City or a 40 minute drive from the Gold Coast. 

During the day, Spirits of the Red Sand invites you to their Welcome to Country Experience, where you'll experience a smoking ceremony and learn about the local ancient Dreamtime stories, customs and rituals. You’ll also get to participate in a bush tucker tasting and boomerang painting.

In the evening, enjoy a three course dinner infused with bush herbs and spices and an immersive live ‘roving theatre’ show. You’ll walk through various scenes set in the Dreamtime to the 1800’s -  a time when the British and Aboriginal ways of life collided. The 2.5 hour-long experience is set inside the 19th century Beenleigh Historical Village, complete with the largest pre-colonial Aboriginal village and authentic Gunyah (Aboriginal hut) dwellings. 

Book online via Spirits of the Red Sand's website , and check out the intro video for their dinner show here .

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Aboriginal dance show. Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland, 2021.

The Gold Coast’s popular tourist attraction Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary might be  known for its rainbow lorikeet feeding, ginormous saltwater crocodiles and the treetop challenge, but there are so many more reasons to visit. One such, being the mesmerising Aboriginal Culture Show - a performance of traditional song, dance and storytelling by the local ‘ Yugambeh Aboriginal Dance Group ,’ which is held daily at 3pm. 

You won’t want to miss out on this performance as it’s one of the city’s best kept secrets. The dance group has performed for top-notch events, such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, the pregame celebration for the 2020 Indigenous/Maori All Stars NRL game and the group featured in a music video for a track produced by US DJ Steve Aoki.

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Burleigh Heads

Jellurgal Walkabout Tour, Burleigh Heads. Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland, 2022.

Embark on a journey of discovery of the local Yugambeh culture, community, Dreaming and Burleigh Headland's native wildlife at the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre . The local Aboriginal guide will take you along the picturesque beachside rainforest walkway around Jellurgal (Dreaming Mountain). After the Jellurgal Walkabout Tour, you can opt to explore more of the surrounding Burleigh Headlands and Tallebudgera Creek where you can surf, swim, fish or just hang out. 

We hope you have fun learning about and experiencing the world's oldest living culture! If you’re a NSW resident check out our previous post for places to visit on the north coast of New South Wales:

Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Experiences at Coffs Coast

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