Experiencing Indigenous Culture in Australia

Learn about the extraordinary stories and experiences of the world’s oldest living culture!

Indigenous culture is an important part of Australia, both for its history and its landscape. Throughout the country, there is ample chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of the many different Indigenous tribes that have called Australia home for thousands and thousands of years.

If you’re ready to dig deep into the fascinating past of the country, here are some of the best places to visit.

• Uluru and Kata Tjuta

  Uluru (or Ayers Rock, as it is sometimes known), is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, but it also acts as a hugely important part of Aboriginal history. The huge monolith and its surrounding landscape, including the unique formation of Kata Tjuta, have formed an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage. Though it was “officially” discovered in the 1800s, according to the Pitjantjatjara tribe, Uluru came about thousands of years ago during the legendary Dreamtime.

• Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre

  In the Grampians you can learn more about Aboriginal life. At the Cultural Centre, you can paint a boomerang, watch interactive presentations, and discover more about the Indigenous history that characterises the rugged landscape.

• Daintree Rainforest

  In the Daintree Rainforest you can get to know the local Kuku Yalanji people who have resided in the area for centuries and centuries. You can have a warm welcome with a traditional smoking ceremony and be taken on a guided tour by one of the local people.

• Nourlangie Rock Art Site

  For a creative look into the Aboriginal history of Australia, head to the Nourlangie Rock Art Site, where you can discover rock paintings that are thousands of years old. As well as exploring the historic natural galleries, you’ll learn more about the history of Aboriginal people in this area through the unique illustrations that tell of ancient stories and traditions.

• Waradah Aboriginal Centre

  This centre gives visitors the chance to learn about the traditional owners of the Blue Mountains region, offering traditional dances, historic performances, and interactive informational activities. There are around 29 different tribes to learn about, giving detailed stories of the ancient ancestor’s lives, beliefs, and traditions. If you’d prefer to learn about the culture in the outdoors, you can visit the nearby Rock ARrt which is still preserved in the Blue Mountains’ caves and bushland, with the well-preserved rock carving now known as “the flight of the Great Grey Kangaroo” a number one favourite among locals.

• Arnhem Land

  Arnhem Land boasts a historic landscape filled with rugged terrain and a fascinating cultural heritage. Set in the northeast of the Northern Territory, it spreads out amongst surreal scenery where the traditional landowners, the Yolngu people still live today. To visit, you must have a permit but, once there, you can discover Aboriginal bark paintings and didgeridoos that are on display at the local Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre.

Getting to know the Aboriginal heritage of Australia is a rite of passage while you’re there. As well as taking tours with some of the local tribes, you can experience traditional ways of living and soak up the ancient landscapes that are imbued with age-old stories.

Explore the Uluru Tours