A Guide to Exploring Indigenous Melbourne
Known as the Kulin Nation to its traditional owners, Melbourne has a rich Indigenous culture dating back more than 40,000 years. Through these six immersive experiences, you can discover Indigenous history and art, tuck into bush food and explore the legacy of the Kulin Nation.
Bunjilaka Aborginal Cultural Centre
Museum
Bunjilaka Aborginal Cultural Centre
Established in collaboration with Melbourne’s traditional owners, the Boonwurrung and the Woiwurrung people, Melbourne’s museum Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre chronicles Indigenous history through a series of immersive exhibitions. Enter the nest of ancestral spirit Bunjil and learn how he breathed life into Kulin Nation, wander through the Milari Garden Trail, visit the resident eels during feeding time and see over 600 artefacts significant to Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC Australia +61 3 8341 7777
Entry to First Peoples exhibition at Bunjilaka, Melbourne Museum | Courtesy of Melbourne Museum
Alcaston Gallery
Alcaston Gallery
Set amidst Fitzroy’s bustling Brunswick Street, Alcaston Gallery showcases the work of emerging and established contemporary artists from the Australian and the Asia Pacific Region. Established in 1989, the gallery also represents the work of Indigenous Australians. At the helm is Executive Director Beverly Knight, who is a foremost expert on Australian Indigenous art and works directly with remote Indigenous communities, paving passageways for artists to find recognition and financial independence.
11 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia + 61 3 9418 6444
Charcoal Lane
Restaurant, Australian
Koorie Heritage Trust
Art Gallery, Museum
Ian Potter Centre
Ian Potter Centre
Housing the National Gallery of Victoria’s Australian and Indigenous art collection, the Ian Potter Centre holds more than 20,000 Australian works from the Colonial period to the present day, with approximately 800 pieces on display. Located on the ground floor is a permanent collection of Indigenous art showcasing the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, including William Barak, Emily Kngwarreye, Judy Watson and Uta Uta Tjangala.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Led by Indigenous guides, the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens is an enlightening journey “into the ancestral lands of Koolin nation,” who are the traditional owners of Melbourne. Take part in a traditional smoking ceremony, discover Indigenous values and uses of Australian flora for medicine, food, and tools and finish off the tour with a refreshing cup of lemon myrtle tea.
Royal Botanic Gardens Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC Australia
Courtesy of the Royal Botanic Gardens
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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