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Acknowledgement of Country
For tens of thousands of years, Melbourne has been cared for by its Traditional Custodians. Learn more during your visit.
Aboriginal people have one of the oldest living cultures on Earth. They have survived on this land for many thousands of years – with some estimations going back 65,000 years. Throughout the land now known as Australia, more than 250 language groups and far more dialects were spoken before European colonisation in 1788. Far too many of these languages have now been lost, but the heritage has been kept alive from one generation to another. Melbourne – also known as Narrm to Aboriginal people – is a revered place for the Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri (Woi Wurrung) and Boon Wurrung and people of the Kulin Nation. Land is of great significance to Aboriginal people – they have an interdependent relationship between a person and their ancestral lands and seas. Aboriginal people believe they belong to the land rather than the other way around. It’s important to recognise the land now known as Australia was never ceded by its Traditional Custodians. In contemporary Melbourne, visitors can discover Aboriginal history, both before and after European arrival, as well as what life is like for Aboriginal people today. You’re also likely to see the Aboriginal flag flying at venues across the city. The black of its top half represents the Aboriginal people, the yellow circle is the sun, the giver of life, and the red represents the red earth and the First Nations people’s connection to the land.
In welcoming visitors to Melbourne, In welcoming visitors to Melbourne, Visit Victoria, the publisher of this Visit Victoria, the publisher of this visitor guide, acknowledges the visitor guide, acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Victoria and pays country throughout Victoria and pays respect to them, their culture and their respect to them, their culture and their Elders, past, present and future.Elders, past, present and future.
Royal Botanic Gardens –Aboriginal Heritage Walk Melbourne Museum’s Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Take a Day
Start in the city’s south and head north to experience Indigenous culture.
11am Experience a smoking ceremony and learn about local Aboriginal culture and the traditional uses for plants on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. +rbg.vic.gov.au
1pm Walk across Sandridge Bridge, where you’ll find Gayip, a sculpture that represents the Aboriginal period of Australian immigration history.
1.30pm Stroll past Melbourne Town Hall to see the Aboriginal flag flying high over the building.
2pm Get lunch at Charcoal Lane. This social enterprise restaurant provides training to young Aboriginal people, and its menu features native produce. +charcoallane.com.au
3.30pm Stroll back to Melbourne Museum’s Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This space immerses the visitor in Indigenous stories, artwork and languages. +museumsvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka
