By joining one of these Aboriginal tours in Sydney, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the rich culture of the First Australians. Many people consider Australia to have a very short history; however, Aboriginal Australian’s have occupied this land for over 60,000 years. Their history is rich with art and stories that are inspiring and interesting.

Learn More About the First Australians

At the time of European settlement, Aboriginal people had been living in the Sydney region for at least 40,000 years, so while our city might be young, the history of its first people is not. If you want to learn more about Australia’s indigenous culture on your visit to Sydney, there are plenty of options. The best place to find out about Aboriginal culture is in outback Australia, but I suggest you try to include at least one of the sites below if you have time.

Related: Get the answers to six of the most commonly asked questions about Aboriginal Sydney.

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Royal Botanic Gardens

The Cadi Jam Ora Gardens display the plants used for food and medicine by the Cadigal people, the first inhabitants of this part of Sydney. A 50-metre long storyline with interpretation panels note historical incidences and are very informative.

There is a native shelter, some beautiful grass trees and plenty of signs and labels. It’s a great spot to explore, but if you have some extra time, the tours offered will help you better understand Aboriginal culture.

The Aboriginal Heritage Tours are run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am, leaving from the Visitors Centre. The cost starts from $13.05 (children under 7 years are free of charge), and last for about one and a half hours. During the tour, you learn more about traditional music, dance, food, and medicine. You may even get to taste some of the bush foods.

Bookings are essential for these tours. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens for more details.

When: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Where: Garden Shop
Why: Learn more about the first Australians
How: Short walk from Martin Place Station

Yiribana Gallery: Art Gallery of New South Wales

The Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW is home to the largest permanent collection of Indigenous Australian art in Australia, and amazingly entry is free! The collection includes both traditional and contemporary works by aboriginal artists and features bark painting, sculpture, weaving, prints, photography and watercolours.

Try the free online tour if you would like to explore some great indigenous artworks but are not taking a trip down under.

When: Free guided tours of the Aboriginal collection at 11 am daily. Gallery opens at 10am-5pm daily and 9 pm on Wednesdays
Where: Art Gallery Road, The Domain
Why: For the free tour and talk about Australian Aboriginal Art
How: A short walk from Martin Place Station or Bus 441 from the QVB

Visit the Art Gallery of NSW for more details.

Australian Museum: An Interactive Indigenous Australian Experience

If you are interested in the culture and history of the first Australians, then this museum is worth a visit. There is a good range of interactive exhibits that are suitable for both adults and children. Listen to dream time stories, learn about the Stolen Generation, view a collection of boomerangs, didgeridoos, and other artefacts.

The exhibit includes the problems aboriginal communities face both in the past and today, something which most Australians don’t talk about. Their website is a background for learning more about indigenous culture.

When: 10am to 5pm every day except 25 December
Where: Corner of College Street and William Street Sydney – opposite Hyde Park
Why: Large aboriginal cultural collection and lots more
How: A short walk from Museum or Town Hall Station

More: Visit the Australian Museum website

Jibbon Aboriginal Tour

A visit to Bundeena will get you out of the CBD and down to the city’s southern beaches. Bundeena was originally home to the Dharawal people, and the area features rock art sites along a spectacular coastline.

When: This is a self guided experience u
Where: Board the Bundeena ferry at Cronulla Station
Why: This is a beautiful part of Sydney that most visitors don’t get to see
How: Train to Cronulla station from Town Hall or Central.

The Rocks Dreaming Tour

This 90-minute tour operates from The Rocks visitors centre and is owned and managed by Aboriginal staff. It’s a great way to get an Aboriginal perspective on Sydney Harbour, particularly if you are short on time.

When: 10.30am – 12 noon daily (except Christmas Day and Good Friday)
Where: Cadman’s Cottage 110 George Street, The Rocks.
Why: Great option if you are short on time
How: Short walk from Circular Quay around to the Rocks.

Aboriginal Rock Carvings: Indigenous Rock Art in Sydney’s National Parks

There are several examples of rock carvings in the national parks around Sydney.

Berry Island Reserve – less than 20 minutes from the city and easily reached by public transport. Take the signposted walk along the Gadyan Track and learn the story of the Cammeraigal, who used the area as a campsite.

Jibbon Point – Another site that can be reached by public transport is the Royal National Park at Bundeena. To get to the park, catch the train to Cronulla and ferry to Bundeena. The best examples are at Jibbon Headland, take the walking track from Bundeena to Marley Head. There are signs with descriptions, and among the engravings are boomerangs, sharks, fish and whales.

If you have a car, there are some incredible engravings at West Head in Kuringai National Park. The Basin Engraving Site and The Elvina Engraving Site – are located off West Head Road between Elvina Nature Trail and West Head are all easily accessible and well signposted.

When: Any nice sunny day
Where: Berry Island is closest to the city, Bundeena is a train and ferry ride south, The Basin needs a car in my opinion.
Why: A bushwalk and some art make for a perfect day out
How: Train for Bundeena and Berry Island. The Basin requires a car.

Bangarra Dance Theatre

The Bangarra Dance Theatre is a National Indigenous Performing Arts company that uses modern dance to tell the stories of their ancestors. The company has had very successful tours to the USA and the UK and are world-class performers.

When: Season runs June to December
Where: 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay NSW 2000
Why: A more subtle way to be exposed to some indigenous culture
How: Walk from Circular Quay

Blue Mountains Walkabout

One of the most complete Aboriginal experiences you can get while you are visiting Sydney. You explore the beautiful Blue Mountains with a local Aboriginal guide raised in the area and has spent his life studying the local environment.

The tour consists of a 4-hour bushwalk and 3 hours of hands-on style activities, including bark and body painting, bush tucker tasting and a swim in the billabong in warm weather.

When: 10.30am Monday to Friday, and 10.45 am on weekends
Where: Tour departs from Falconbridge Station in the Blue Mountains.
Why: for a “real” aboriginal experience, you will not forget
How: Take the train from Sydney – detailed instructions on the Blue Mountains Walkabout for more details. 

See ideas for visiting the Blue Mountains without a tour here

Nura Diya: Taronga’s Aboriginal Discovery Tour

The Aboriginal Discovery tour at Taronga zoo was developed by the indigenous community and is led by an Aboriginal guide. The tour includes Dreamtime stories, bush food and medicine talk, a chance to meet all your favourite Aussie creatures, including an opportunity for a photo with a Koala. An excellent choice for families.

When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings
Where: Taronga Zoo
Why: Spend the morning learning about indigenous culture and Australian animals and the afternoon exploring the rest of the zoo.
How: Ferry from Circular Quay

Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre

I first visited Muru Mittigar a couple of years ago on a half-day “experience”. It was great; firstly, we learned about the symbols used in Aboriginal art and then painted our own boomerangs. We talked about music and culture, followed by a great BBQ lunch with Kangaroo and emu, among other things. After lunch, we learnt how to throw a boomerang… mine did not make it back to me, so I guess I didn’t learn much 😉

The centre is located near Penrith in Sydney’s west. It’s a bit of a distance, it is worth the drive, but if you are looking for an authentic aboriginal experience. Run by the local indigenous community, there is a good range of arts and crafts, and this is a good place to purchase your didgeridoo if you plan to buy one while you are in Oz. Visit their website to see the full range of things you can do at the Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre.

When: Monday to Friday 9-4pm
Where: 89 – 151 Old Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh
Why: paint and throw a boomerang and eat some emu sausages
How: Car is best but can take a train to Penrith and a bus or cab

Visit Muru Mittigar website for more details.

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