Sydney isn’t just about what you see on the shiny surface, it’s a city built on stories and traditions that have shaped this land for millennia. Aboriginal tours can give a small insight into that history.
For anyone looking to understand the cultural significance of Sydney’s landscapes, Aboriginal tours provide a unique window into the traditions that continue to shape the land today.
1. Summoning the whales
This whale-watching tour turns the ocean into a deep blue canvas for ancient stories. The Aboriginal Whale Watching Experience aboard the Ocean Dreaming II is a 2.5-hour journey guided by an Elder and cultural expert, where you’ll learn about Gurawil the whale and its significant place in Dreaming stories. The experience becomes even more magical as you participate in an ancient whale song ritual of summoning the whales. It’s a tour that connects past and present in a deeply moving way.
Where: Departs Darling Harbour
When: During the peak of the northern migration and NAIDOC Week; 8:30am and 1pm.
Price: $109 per person
whalewatchingsydney.com.au
2. The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour
Wander through the historic streets of The Rocks and find yourself transported into the Dreamtime with the Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour. This 90-minute walkabout invites you to explore the saltwater heritage of Sydney Harbour through the eyes of Aboriginal guides. As you get a feel for this storied landscape, you’ll hear how Dreaming stories weave into the every part of the city, right down to the stone it’s made of.
The Gadigal people were known as saltwater-sandstone people, so the sandstone was really important to the way of life for Aboriginal people back then; things like carving, grinding food, grinding tools, and ochre came from sandstone. The headland which is now Barangaroo reserve was quarried by convicts for sandstone to build the foundations of Sydney city.
Where: The Rocks
When: Daily departure times: 1.30pm – 3pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday)
Price: A$99.00 for adults, A$65.00 for children (5-15 years), and A$19.00 for kids (3-5 years). Private group rates are also available.
dreamtimesouthernx.com.au
3. Fine dining at Bush in Redfern
For a taste of Australia that goes beyond the ordinary, visit Bush in Redfern. This restaurant, where native ingredients and innovative cuisine meet, offers a unique dining experience that explores Australia’s rich culinary heritage. Chef-owner Grant Lawn’s menu features wild Angasi oysters, mussels in saltbush, red pepper roo tail and Rosella and green ant pavlova. The ambiance, adorned with stuffed marsupial toys and native flora, creates a setting that’s both welcoming and distinctly Australian.
Where: 55 George St, Redfern NSW 2016
Contact: 0466 566 534
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday (5pm – 10pm
bush-group.com
4. Bangarra Dance Theatre
Named after a Wiradjuri word meaning “to make fire,” Bangarra ignites the stage with its powerful contemporary dance. This Sydney-based company brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to tell stories that are both deeply rooted in tradition and relevant to contemporary themes. Their performances are not just entertaining but profound explorations of identity, culture, and connection.
Where: Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000
my.bangarra.com.au
5. Royal Botanic Gardens Aboriginal heritage tour
For a more intimate connection with the land, take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney with their Aboriginal Heritage Tour. This 60-minute journey through the gardens reveals how the Gadigal people interacted with the local flora. As you wander through the verdant spaces, you’ll discover the uses of native plants, from medicinal to culinary. Aria- and Golden Guitar-winning
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Price: $30 for adults, $20 for children (7-15 years old), and free for kids under 7 years
botanicgardens.org.au
6. Wyanga Malu half-day tour
The Wyanga Malu Half-Day Sydney Sightseeing Tour offers a heartfelt exploration of Aboriginal Sydney. This experience starts with a traditional welcome to country and continues with a scenic drive over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, followed by visits to significant Aboriginal rock engravings and boundary sites. You’ll be introduced to how traditional knowledge intersects with modern life, and enjoy a contemporary Aboriginal lunch amidst beautiful views. This tour is a careful mix of cultural education and natural beauty, providing a deep connection to the land and its stories. Definitely one of Sydney’s best indigenous guided tours.
Where: This experience operates at various locations throughout metropolitan Sydney.
Price: $255 per person
wyanga-malu-half-day-sydney-sightseeing-tour
7. The BLAK Markets
These markets take place between six and eight times each year in Sydney, and it is amazing for buying Aboriginal goods. But this isn’t only a terrific shopping experience, they also have bush tucker foods, songs, dance, local crafts, entertainers, and ceremonies. The Blak Markets are organised and run by First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation and all profits go to Aboriginal communities. It’s an amazing opportunity to connect directly with artists and make ethical purchases of authentic products.
https://www.blakmarkets.com.au
8. The Australian Museum
This is Sydney’s biggest collection of Aboriginal artefacts, complete with personal guided tours and some seriously cool special exhibitions. Their archive has over 40,000 First Nations weapons, body ornaments, ancient paintings, toys, and even edgy contemporary art and sculpture. You’ll also get to check out 32,000-year-old grindstones, bark drawings, intricately carved eggs, and dot paintings that pack a punch. From the Torres Strait Islanders, expect crocodile masks, shell-decked body ornaments, and ceremonial feathered headdresses still in use today. And don’t miss the ghost nets and drums—they’re wild.
Where: 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Price: FREE
australian.museum
9. Guringai Aboriginal Tour, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Explore the stunning Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with a Guringai guide who shares stories of the local Aboriginal clans that have lived in the area for millennia. You’ll visit ancient rock engravings, lookouts with panoramic views, and secluded waterholes. This immersive experience connects visitors to the land, its wildlife, and its ancient stories.
Location: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
When: Daily
Cost: A$80 per person
aboriginal-tours-guringai.com
10. Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW
If you’re open to exploring Aboriginal culture through art, the Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW offers one of the most extensive collections of Indigenous art in the country. The gallery houses contemporary and historical works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. It’s the perfect way to engage with the stories and creative expressions of Aboriginal culture in a visually stunning setting.
Location: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
When: Daily
Cost: Free
12. Yuin Retreat
For a genuinely immersive experience, the Yuin Retreat offers a 40-hour journey into the heart of Djirringanj country, part of the sacred lands of the Yuin people. This two-night retreat invites guests to participate in ancient ceremonies, learn traditional stories, and connect with the Yuin community. You’ll start with a welcome to country, followed by sunrise ceremonies, guided bush walks through Gulaga National Park, and cultural storytelling. The tour also offers optional wellness healing sessions and locally sourced Indigenous-inspired meals.
Location: Narooma, Bega Valley, Bermagui region
When: High Season (October – March); Low Season (April – June)
Cost: A$1,000 per person
ngarann.com
13. Dreamtime Southern X
Explore the ancient stories and deep connection between the Aboriginal people and Sydney’s landscape with Dreamtime Southern X. This four-hour cultural immersion offers a journey through metropolitan Sydney, visiting significant sites and learning about Aboriginal heritage. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour includes a visit to five key Aboriginal sites, where you’ll hear Dreamtime stories, view rock engravings, and explore the flora and fauna significant to the Eora people. The experience also includes a short walkabout at Macquarie’s Chair and a taste of Aboriginal bush food.
Location: Departs from 27 Cope Street, Redfern
When: Sundays, 10:00am – 2:00pm; private bookings available
Cost: Adult (16+ yrs): $255.00, Student (16+ yrs): $191.25 Includes lunch or snack
14. Firescreek Botanical Winery Experience
At Firescreek Botanical Winery, guests can take part in an Aboriginal cultural experience while exploring the award-winning winery. Uncle Kevin “Gavi” Duncan, a Darkinjung Elder, guides visitors through traditional smoking ceremonies, bush tucker tastings, and the history of the local Aboriginal people’s deep connection to the land. Set amongst the lush vineyard and botanical gardens of Firescreek, this experience also includes a wine tasting of handcrafted wines infused with native and seasonal botanicals.
Location: 192 Wattle Tree Road, Holgate, NSW
When: Available by appointment
Cost: $65 per person
firescreek.com.au
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