aboriginal places to visit

Australia's top eight Indigenous travel destinations

Tourists visiting Australia’s most recognised attractions often don’t know much about their Aboriginal significance. Academic Marcia Langton’ s new travel guide fills in the gaps

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Stretching for more than 2,300km along the Queensland coast and covering 35m hectares, it features brilliantly coloured corals living beneath aquamarine waters, a profusion of tropical islands and a wealth of marine creatures and birdlife.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the traditional owners of the Great Barrier Reef region, and there are significant cultural sites on many of its islands. The strong ongoing links between the traditional owners and their sea country was recognised in the Great Barrier Reef’s world heritage listing and contributes to its outstanding universal value.

The cultural and ecological knowledge of the traditional owners will be essential to delivering the Reef 2050 Plan , which is the blueprint for protecting and managing the reef and designed to be implemented in a collaborative partnership.

For more information, visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

The Garma festival, Northern Territory

• The red flag dancers from Numbulwar kick off the bunggul at the annual Garma festival in Arnhem Land. Photograph: Glenn Campbell

This world-renowned festival is an extraordinary cultural event. Over four days the Yolŋu people of north-east Arnhem Land share their knowledge and culture. A celebration of visual art, dance, music and ancient storytelling, Garma aims to foster economic opportunities for the Yolŋu people through community development, education, self-governance, enterprise and youth leadership. As well as discussing the challenges and solutions to economic issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Garma also aims to strengthen, preserve and maintain ancient Aboriginal culture and foster a greater understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

Don’t miss… the evening bunggul dance : From 4 pm until sunset, significant traditional ceremonies are performed by men, women and children from the various clans of the Yolŋu people. The performances showcase the unique traditional ceremonies of north-east Arnhem Land and combine breathtaking song and dance.

Where: Gulkula site, 30 minutes from Nhulunbuy on the Central Arnhem Hwy. Airnorth runs direct flights to Nhulunbuy from Darwin and Cairns.

When: Annually in August

Cost: Adult: $1,815; student or child: $1,056. Tickets cover an all-inclusive package deal. For registered guests, airport shuttles, camping (with assembled tent, sleeping bag and air mattress) and all meals are provided, as well as access to basic tea and coffee-making facilities.

For more information, visit Yothu Yindi Foundation

Uluru–Kata Tjuta national park, Northern Territory

Located in the red heart of the Central Desert, the ancient forms of Uluru and Kata Tjuta lie geographically, spiritually and symbolically at the centre of the Australian continent. Rising majestically above the red-sand plains, they dominate the landscape and are shrouded in myth and mystery.

• Kata Tjuta in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park in the Northern Territory .

For the local people, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are far more than just rock formations. They make up a living cultural landscape that is sacred to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara Anangu people. On 26 October 1985, Uluru and Kata Tjuta were handed back to the Anangu people, the traditional owners of the land, in what remains one of the most significant moments in Australia’s Aboriginal land rights movement.

Uluru is a site of ceremonial significance for many Aboriginal groups of central Australia, including the Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara Anangu people, who have lived in the region for at least 10,000 years. There are more than 40 sacred Aboriginal sites in the area where ancestral spirits still reside, making the land deeply important to the cultural identity of the Anangu. The Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara people still abide by ancient laws and traditions, referred to as Tjukurpa , which provide the foundation to their unique culture.

Before the arrival of Europeans, the Indigenous people moved around this land, which varied from mulga flats and sand dunes to rocky hills and pockets of vegetation around the base of rocks such as Uluru. Each of these environments was used at different times of the year, depending on the food and water available. Water was present in claypans, rock holes, soaks and springs.

Around the base of Uluru are rock shelters and caves, decorated with hundreds of rock paintings – some executed as late as the 1940s. But the ravages of weather and over-visitation by tourists in the past have resulted in severe deterioration. The art sites at Kata Tjuta, where there are more engravings than paintings, are better preserved.

Today, Aboriginal people of central Australia call themselves Anangu, and some of the most important cultural areas in the park are out of bounds to non-Indigenous people.

Uluru itself is a scared site. The Anangu people ask all visitors to respect their cultural and spiritual beliefs and refrain from climbing the rock. From 26 October 2019, coinciding with the 34th year of the return of Uluru to its Traditional Owners, climbing the rock will be banned.

Where: The park is 440km south-west of Alice Springs. The drive to Uluru–Kata Tjuta from Alice Springs takes roughly five hours via the Stuart and Lasseter highways. The highways are sealed roads, so a 4WD is not required. Jetstar, Virgin Airlines and Qantas fly to Uluru.

Permits: A park-use fee is charged per person. This is valid for three days; annual tickets are also available. All tickets are payable at the park entry station.

Best time to visit: May to October, when the average daytime temperatures range from 23–31C, and night temperatures range from 7–13C.

For more information, visit Parks Australia Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Kakadu national park, Northern Territory

World heritage-listed Kakadu national park is a landscape of unsurpassed beauty, with world-renowned wetlands attracting extraordinary numbers of birds, thundering waterfalls that plunge from towering escarpments into natural rock pools and open woodlands that offer a refuge for a wide range of native animals.

• Magpie geese in Kakadu national park. Photograph: Theo Allofs/ Getty Images

Kakadu is a landscape of living culture. Rock art of the region indicates Aboriginal people have occupied Kakadu for between 40,000 and 60,000 years, the longest record of continual human occupation of any area on Earth. The rock-art galleries show that early Indigenous groups had a strong culture based on deep spiritual beliefs. This spiritual connection to the land is recognised globally in the world heritage status of Kakadu.

The name Kakadu comes from an Aboriginal language, Gagudju, spoken in the north of the park at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1978 the Gagudju people were granted title of their land, which they then leased for use as a national park. Kakadu is jointly managed by the Bininj/Mungguy people and Parks Australia.

Although Gagudju is no longer spoken by Aboriginal people in the area, surviving dialects include Kunwinjku (in the north), Gundjeihmi (in the centre) and Jawoyn (in the south). Aboriginal people of the region know themselves as Bininj (pronounced Bin-ning). Languages, kinship, ceremonies and caring for country have been passed on through the generations from the time of creation when important ancestral beings crossed the landscape and created the plants, animals, landforms and the people who live there today.

A major creator acknowledged in the region is the Rainbow Serpent, which is known Australia-wide by various Aboriginal groups. As the Rainbow Serpent moved through the land she formed the features of the landscape in Kakadu, such as waterways, waterholes and hills. Her role in creating the cultural obligations of the Bininj/Mungguy people is very important, as is her creation of the plant and animal life cycles and the seasonal changes.

Don’t miss … Burrungkuy area : In this area is the picturesque Anbangbang billabong and the renowned Burrungkuy rock, a vast, ancient rock-art gallery and an inspirational place that projects a sense of how Indigenous people once lived.

Where: It is 235km east of Darwin to the Bowali visitor centre, one entrance of the park. Drive from Darwin via Stuart Highway, then Arnhem Highway; from Pine Creek via Stuart Highway then Kakadu Highway.

Best time to visit: During the drier months from May to September the whole park is generally open. During the wet season, some of the park is inaccessible due to the water. While the weather can be very hot and humid during this season, it is an incredible opportunity to see waterfalls turn into gushing torrents and watch thunderstorms roll in over the park.

Tips for visitors: Saltwater crocodiles populate the rivers and coastal areas of Kakadu. Visitors are warned to stay out of the water, unless there is clear advice to the contrary. The only places likely to be free of these dangerous reptiles are located up in the escarpment country.

For more information visit Kakadu national park

The Laura dance festival, Cape York

• A dancer from the Injinoo community looks on during the Laura Aboriginal dance festival. Photograph: Mark Kolbe

The Laura dance festival is a celebration of Aboriginal culture held in western Yalanji country in north Queensland . It is also a vibrant and unique way for tourists to experience this ancient and ongoing culture through powerful performances of the songs and dances of many Indigenous nations from the Cape York region. This biennial festival, which runs over the weekend that marks the end of June and start of July, is one of Queensland’s largest cultural gatherings. It has attracted crowds of visitors from Australia and around the world for the last 25 years.

Where : Held 15km south of Laura, at the Ang-Gnarra festival grounds, or meeting grounds, of Cape York.

When : The next festival will be in June 2019. Bookings are essential.

Cost : Approximately $100 per person; additional charges for camping.

For more information, visit the Laura dance festival

Purnululu national park, Western Australia

Purnululu national park lies deep in the rugged east Kimberley region, protecting one of the world’s natural wonders, the Bungle Bungle Range. The remarkable tiger-striped, beehive-shaped rock domes have become, somewhat belatedly, one of the iconic images of the Australian outback, and are appreciated worldwide for their exceptional beauty. The region also holds sacred Aboriginal Dreaming stories and a rich culture that has maintained connections to this land for at least 20,000 years.

Today, the local Aboriginal people maintain a strong connection and association to the ancient landscape, which holds the stories of their Dreaming. In the Kija Aboriginal language, purnululu means “sandstone”.

Aboriginal cultural heritage: The area is traditionally the land of the Kija people of the eastern Kimberley region, and their neighbours the Jaru, a group belonging to the desert region. The Kija people put up fierce resistance to the pastoralists. They killed the cattle (livestock numbers on the Ord river grasslands had reached 50,000 by 1902) and in retaliation there were brutal massacres of local Aboriginal people and punitive police raids. At the height of the violence, many of the Kija took refuge in the Bungle Bungles.

They used notched tree trunks to scale the cliffs and pulled these makeshift ladders up afterwards to prevent pursuit. To try to stop the livestock killing, the government provided some refuges and food, but did not stop the land and cultural dispossession, which continued into the 1970s.

Today, descendants of the park’s traditional owners live in population centres such as Halls Creek and Warmun. The people of Warmun have worked extensively on language and literacy programs for schools and have produced a large amount of teaching material. Some help manage the national park, with a number of Aboriginal people employed as rangers and guides.

Where: 300km south of Kununurra. The road into the park from the main highway is the very rough Spring Creek track and is accessible by 4WD only. Kununurra to the ranger station takes 5 hours travelling time; from Halls Creek allow 4 hours.

When: The park is only open between April and the end of December (weather permitting).

Cost : Park entry fees apply.

For more information, visit Purnululu national park

Dreamtime at the G, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria

• Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti of the Bombers evades Jayden Short of the Tigers during the 2017 AFL round 10 Dreamtime at the G match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Photograph: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

Dreamtime at the G is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Indigenous round of the Australian Football League (AFL) season.

Typically held in round 10, in the last week of May, the Indigenous round commemorates all the Indigenous players who have contributed to the hugely popular sport of football. It is a way for all Australians to respect and pay tribute to the Indigenous presence within football and sport.

The round itself is named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls, an inspiring person and former football player who represented the spirit of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

While there are many games played in the Indigenous round, the match between Richmond and Essendon football clubs is the most highly anticipated. The day starts with the customary “Long Walk” where attendees of the match walk from Federation Square along Birrarung Marr to the MCG. The atmosphere is that of unity and excitement when Australians from all backgrounds take part in the Long Walk in commemoration of former Aboriginal Essendon football player, Michael Long, who walked to Canberra to call for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. The game itself is opened with traditional dancing and a smoking ceremony conducted by local Wurundjeri elders.

Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground

When: Usually held in the last week of May

Cost: Ticket prices vary

For more information, visit the MCG

Great Sandy national park, Queensland

Great Sandy national park comprises two parts. Cooloola is on the coast between Rainbow beach in the north and Noosa Heads in the south. K’gari (Fraser Island) takes in nearly all of the world’s largest sand island, north of Rainbow beach. The famous coloured sands, pristine blue water, plentiful marine life and lush rainforests are some of the features visitors will find at Great Sandy national park, one of Queensland’s largest national parks.

Aboriginal cultural heritage: Aboriginal people have lived in the Great Sandy area for at least 5,000 years, according to archaeological evidence, but they may have been there far longer. The Butchulla people lived on K’gari (Fraser Island) and the nearby mainland. Their heritage sites of spiritual, social and archaeological significance are found on the island, as well as their middens, artefacts, scarred trees and campsites.

The Butchulla led a complex, self-sufficient way of life intrinsically connected to the seasons, the land, and life on it and in the surrounding ocean. Soon after European settlement of the area in the 1840s the Indigenous people were forced off their land, and by the late 1800s their lifestyle had been destroyed and the Aboriginal people from around the region were relocated to a mission on Fraser Island. Today, descendants of these people who live in the area are working to protect and share their culture and way of life, which is so closely tied to this beautiful and bountiful natural environment.

Where : Cooloola lies between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach. Noosa Heads is about 155km (about a three-hour drive) and Rainbow Beach is about 240km (about a three-hour drive) north of Brisbane. Fraser Island is about 300km north of Brisbane and 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

Cost: Driving on the beaches and some inland sand tracks requires a vehicle access permit (VAP). The cost of the VAP depends on the area of the Great Sandy national park. Camping fees also apply.

For more information, visit Great Sandy national park

• This is an edited extract from Marcia Langton’s Welcome to Country ($39.99, Hardie Grant) out now
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• 11 Historic Indigenous Australian Sites...

Historic Indigenous Australian Sites and Landmarks

Indigenous people have inhabited the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years, and there are sacred sites and awe-inspiring landmarks found in every corner of the country. Check out 11 incredible Indigenous sites and landmarks you can visit around Australia.

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Natural Feature The Rock is the quintessential Indigenous sacred site, and the symbolic heart of the Australian continent. The immense sandstone monolith has hosted traditional ceremonies for 10,000 years and Indigenous communities believe ancestral spirits live on at Uluru, which is why it’s disrespectful to climb it. In fact, the government will ban climbing Uluru (formerly known by its English name Ayers Rock) on 26 October 2019, with Anangu landowner Sammy Wilson explaining: “It’s an extremely important place, not a playground or theme park like Disneyland.”

Natural Feature About 30km from Uluru lies Central Australia’s other iconic rock formation: Kata Tjuta, a group of 36 enormous domes sprinkled across the ochre red landscape. The boulders — also known in English as the Olgas — are 500 million years old, and the Anangu people have inhabited the area for more than 22,000 years, with many secret spiritual legends surrounding the site.

Kakadu National Park

Natural Feature, Park Covering almost 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu isn’t only Australia’s biggest national park — it’s also larger than the entire nation of Fiji . Found three hours’ drive from Darwin, the park is renowned for its 5000 Aboriginal art sites, as well as archaeological evidence that shows Indigenous occupation dating back at least 20,000 years… not to mention the breathtaking Northern Territory landscapes for visitors to feast their eyes on.

Arnhem Land

Natural Feature Wedged between Kakadu and the ocean, Arnhem Land is a natural paradise less than an hour and a half from Darwin . The Yolngu people have called the area home for at least 60,000 years — Arnhem Land is the birthplace of the didgeridoo, FYI — and the region abounds with untouched coastline, vibrant wildlife, plus some of the best fishing conditions you’ll find anywhere on earth.

The Kimberley

Natural Feature The northernmost region of Western Australia is home to some of the oldest and most complex rock art in the world, with scientists dating some paintings in the north-west Kimberley at 16,000 years old. Broome — perched on the Indian Ocean, with famous sunsets over Cable Beach — is the biggest town in the area, serving as a launchpad for visitors to explore the miles of rugged terrain.

Grampians National Park

Natural Feature The Grampians , three hours’ drive west of Melbourne, is another treasure trove of ancient rock art, containing 90% of all the Aboriginal rock paintings in the entire state of Victoria. The Brambuk Cultural Centre in Halls Gap leads tours into the national park to discover the rock art sites, including the Manja and Billimina shelters in the Western Grampians and Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja in the north.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Natural Feature This sacred Indigenous site is located on Sydney’s northern doorstep, boasting more than 400 engraving sites to explore. Lace up your walking shoes and tackle the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on foot to marvel at the engravings of kangaroos, dolphins, turtles and fish, as well as the renowned hand stencils in Red Hands Cave.

Worimi Conservation Lands

Natural Feature Sitting just across the harbour from Newcastle , Stockton Beach is home to the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as a series of 12,000-year-old shell middens that carry enormous cultural significance to the local Indigenous people. The traditional custodians — the Worimi people — now manage the 4200-hectare Worimi Conservation Lands, offering guided tours of the impressive dune landscape.

Wilpena Pound

Natural Feature

The five-hour drive from Adelaide to Wilpena Pound is well worth it when you lay your eyes on this vast 800-million-year-old natural amphitheatre. The local Adnyamathanha people call the Pound ‘meeting place’ in their language, and believe it was created by two Dreaming serpents who gobbled up so many humans they became too chubby to move, their prone bodies forming the windy mountain range.

Wukalina Walk

Natural Feature Tasmania’s gorgeous Bay of Fires region is worth a visit for the scenery alone, but the recently launched Wukalina Walk adds another layer to the experience. The Aboriginal owned and operated four-day tour of Tassie’s north-east coast immerses visitors in palawa (Tasmanian Indigenous culture), traditional bush tucker, and the pristine natural environment.

Mossman Gorge

Natural Feature The Eastern Kuku Yalanji people inhabited this pocket of North Queensland near Cairns for thousands of years before European colonisation, and that culture is still thriving today. Every visitor should go on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk through the lush rainforest, including a traditional smoking ceremony and exclusive access to a sacred site.

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The Best Places to See Aboriginal Art and Culture

Published on: January 29th, 2020

Last modified: January 29th, 2020

Australia is home to one of the most ancient traditions in the world, with Aboriginal arts and culture attracting art enthusiasts from across the globe.

For those looking to go beyond the country’s picturesque beaches and vibrant cities, a whole world of Aboriginal culture awaits.

From cultural experiences in the Northern Territory to art tours in Sydney, this is our round up of the best places to see Aboriginal art and culture.

1) Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, Northern Territory

Named after the aboriginal word for the western Bowerbird, the Karrke organisation was established to preserve and maintain the local Lurit­ja and Per­tame (South­ern Aran­da) lan­guages and culture for generations to come . I n the heart of the Northern Territory ’s 10-strong Wanmarra community, Karrke runs incredible cultural tours that teach visitors about the region’s history.  

A one-of-a-kind aboriginal experience, the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tour takes travellers on a journey through bush tucker food and bush medicines traditionally used for spiritual healing. The cultural experience extends far beyond healing methods too, with everything from Aboriginal dot painting to seasonal ‘Witchetty Grub’ (more commonly known as larvae) explained in great detail. The tours are operated by locals Christine and Peter who live on their ancestors land, so there’s no more immersive aboriginal experience than this. 

2) Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre, New South Wales

Located on the outskirts of Sydney , the Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre is an educational experience for all those who visit. The centre is situated in the suburb of Castlereagh, once home to the Darug Aboriginal people, and the ‘Mulgoa clan’ in particular. Having occupied this land for thousands of years, the Darug people spent their time hunting game, fishing and gathering plant food. With the Darug still the traditional custodians of the area, today the suburb is home to one of the most in-depth aboriginal cultural centres in Australia.

Perched at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre has been running since 1998. With the dual aim of creating a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and creating new jobs amongst the community, the centre is a worthwhile institution. Inside, visitors can learn about a variety of sacred experiences. With Muru Mittigar meaning ‘Pathway to Friends,’ in the Darug language, this social enterprise really puts connecting community members with one another at its core. 

3) Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Western Australia

Playing host to a range of visual and performing arts, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is the city’s focal point for those wishing to experience the best of Australian arts and culture. Often thought of as being at the forefront of contemporary thinking in art, the centre regularly puts on exhibitions featuring contributions from the Aboriginal community. National art tours such as ‘No Boundaries’ celebrate the work of artists such as Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri and Billy Joongoora Thomas, who were inspired by their ancient cultural traditions to put a modern spin on the ancient art form of Aboriginal dot painting. From lectures on the rise of Aboriginal art to art tours, there’s a plethora of ways to learn about Aboriginal culture here. 

4) National Art Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Paying homage to Australia’s Aboriginal foundation, the National Gallery of Australia acknowledges the native Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region. One of the museum’s most famous exhibitions is ‘Indigenous Australia,’ a presentation of significant works produced by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from the late 1800s through to today. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection at the National Art Gallery of Australia is the largest in the world, so there’s a whole host of Aboriginal artists just waiting to be discovered here. 

5) Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Northern Territory

The Northern Territory ’s premier cultural organisation, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) features a range of traditional and contemporary artists in its many galleries. Situated next to Darwin’s picturesque Arafura Sea, the Aboriginal origins of the area are reflected within the museum’s walls. The Northern Territory has long been thought of as the home of Aboriginal culture and ancient Dreamtime stories, and the MAGNT is no different. After you’ve explored the museum’s different galleries, head to the city’s many locally owned and run inidigenous art galleries to meet local artists at work. 

Discover Aboriginal art and culture in Australia

Feeling inspired? Our expert travel designers are always on hand to help you plan your next adventure through Australia.

8 Aboriginal sacred sites you must visit

14 December 2022

Aside from being an ancient continent, Australia is home to the oldest continuous living culture on Earth. Explore some of the outback’s more accessible Aboriginal sacred sites and rock art locations and learn to Dream along the way.

Exploring the outback, driving through it, walking about in it and camping beneath its field of stars, allows us to connect with the heart of Australia. However, there’s a different – and deeper – way to experience the outback: through the eyes of the First Australians.

Here are a few sites, some less accessible than others, but well worth going that extra mile, that offers outback adventurers, awe-inspiring views, fascinating rock formations and luscious valleys – all in the name of understanding Australia’s Indigenous heritage more fully.

1. Mount Borradaile

Mount Borradaile.

In the northwest corner of Arnhem Land , this national treasure depicts ancient human occupation dating back at least 55,000 years and allows you to become a student of pristine wilderness at the same time. The sacred area has ample fishing spots and crystal-clear, croc-free pools, as well as some of the most colourful and prolific rock art in the world – some of which even depicts the first contact between Aboriginal and European peoples, with sailing ships and rifles clearly recognisable.

2. Ubirr, Nourlangie Rock and Injalak Hill

Like Mount Borradaile, Ubirr, Nourlangie Rock and Injalak Hill in Kakadu feature breathtaking rock art that details ancient works of animals and tools, overlaid by more recent scenes of the first contact. They’re also home to excellent examples of “x-ray” paintings, as well as sacred creation beings like Ngalyod (the Rainbow Serpent), Namarrgon (the Lightning Man) and his wife, Barrginj.

3. Windjana Gorge

Windjana Gorge.

Next to Tunnel Creek National Park in the Kimberley , Windjana is a day trip from Derby or Fitzroy Crossing. Born from a 375 million-year-old Devonian reef system, the impressive Gorge was carved from the Napier Range by the Lennard River. Windjana’s walls rise to 100m in places, and its bed is more than 100m wide. In the wet season, caused in local Dreamtime legends by the spirit Wandjina (after whom the gorge is named), the river rages. In the dry, conditions are perfect for a little canoeing – and viewing of rock art in the Tunnel Creek cave system itself. The works in this part of the Kimberley tend to depict either Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) figures or images of the Wandjina ancestral creation being.

4. The MacDonnell Ranges

The Eastern Macs (to the east of Alice Springs ) is home to rock art sites sacred to the Arrernte in Emily Gap, Jesse Gap and Trephina and N’Dhala Gorges, while the Western Macs is home to the famous Larapinta Trail , as well as a myriad of other easily accessible highlights (Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm, Palm Valley etc). Of particular interest to the rock art-hounds are the Ochre Pits about 65km west of Alice, near Serpentine Gorge. Easy to access from the road, they were once an important source of paint and medicine.

And while you’re in the area, definitely consider a stay at the Gunya Titjikala community 120km south of Alice Springs for its deluxe tents, evening Dreamtime stories and valuable art collection.

5. Rainbow Valley

Rainbow Valley.

An important area for the Southern Arrernte of Central Australia, Rainbow Valley lies just under 100km south of Alice Springs and helps form the James Range. Its sandstone cliffs, shaped by water erosion, also hide countless petroglyphs (rock engravings), paintings, relics of stone tools and a large outcropping called “Ewerre”, which is of particular significance and is a registered sacred site.

6. Cave Hill

Straddling the boundary of SA and the NT in the Musgrave Ranges, Cave Hill is in Anangu land and is the site of the Seven Sisters Tjukurpa creation story. Considered one of the most spectacular sites for rock art in Central Australia , the ceiling of the cave is covered in vibrant motifs that are to this day carefully and precisely retraced by traditional custodians to preserve their stories. The top of Cave Hill also provides excellent 360-degree views back to Uluru and distant Mt Connor.

This one perhaps is one of our most sacred sites. Uluru is a massive sandstone rock located right in the middle of the Northern Territory’s Red Centre. It was believed to have started forming over 550 million years ago. The traditional owners of Uluru, the Anangu community have long since urged people to circumnavigate the rock on foot, rather than climb it due to its spiritual significance and for their own safety. It wasn’t until October 2019 that the climbing ban officially came into effect – and with good reason.

Just in case you are wondering, we have 5 reasons the Uluru climbing ban makes total sense and we also have 11 things to do at Uluru that aren’t climbing .

8. Aboriginal Outback Protocol

There are several great articles on respecting Aboriginal protocols, here are some recommended reading:

Responsible Travel in the NT

How to buy Aboriginal Art ethically

In general, there should be no physical contact with items at Aboriginal sites, sacred or otherwise. Find out exactly what you are and aren’t allowed to take pictures of, and make sure you get consent (and permits) from the appropriate tribe/community before touring their land. Do not take anything from the land, like plants or sand because this is very disrespectful.

But don’t let protocols intimidate you overly; if you adhere to them faithfully and respectfully, there’s no reason why you can’t have an enlightening journey through the ancient outback.

If you want to explore more Outback holidays, head here for all you need to know.

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Comments (2)

Great places can’t wait to go there!

This really helped my info for First Nations sacred lands

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Your guide to the best Aboriginal landmarks and experiences in South Australia

30 JUN 2022

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Walk on ancient land and discover the world's oldest continuous culture.

From the city to to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of our state - First Nations people are the custodians and traditional owners of South Australia . Adelaide is the traditional land of the Kaurna (pronounced Garna) people. The city has many museums, galleries and tours that tell the Kaurna story and showcase Aboriginal art and Aboriginal culture in South Australia. Beyond the CBD, outstanding Aboriginal experiences and landmarks await - see rock carvings and cave paintings in the Flinders Ranges and hear Dreamtime stories from Aboriginal tour guides. Start exploring the history and culture of Aboriginal South Australia with our ultimate guide to the best Aboriginal tours, experiences and attractions.

PLACES TO SEE 

1. ikara – the meeting place, flinders ranges.

The Flinders Ranges and Outback are of immense cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people who have lived in the Flinders Ranges for tens of thousands of years. Located in the heart of the Flinders Ranges is Ikara - The Meeting Place, an award-winning public art space that shares an important story of the Adnyamathanha people. The community has widely endorsed sharing information with visitors about their land to encourage a deeper appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Join the Yura Udnyu Aboriginal Cultural Walk for an informative, guided stroll to Old Wilpena Station and learn about the landscape and bio-diversity from the perspective of the Adnyamathanha people. Join a tour from the heart of the park with Wilpena Pound Resort Tours, or check out more tour operators who offer aboriginal experiences and can also guide you through Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

2. ARKAROO ROCK AND SACRED CANYON, FLINDERS RANGES

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is rich in Aboriginal rock art and engravings. Arkaroo Rock is a particularly important Aboriginal art site in the Flinders Ranges, featuring ochre and charcoal images depicting the creation of Wilpena Pound. The main cave site is at least 5,000 years old and the rock paintings are best seen in the morning light. Sacred Canyon is a small chasm where ancient Aboriginal rock engravings representing animal tracks, people, waterholes and other symbols that have been etched into the smooth sandstone walls. The rock engravings are best seen in soft morning or afternoon light.

3. KATI THANDA-LAKE EYRE AND THE PAINTED DESERT, OUTBACK

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park is a very special place to everyone who bears witness to it, but particularly to the Arabana and Dieri people. Aboriginal people have been living around Kati Thanda for thousands of years and it plays a central role in many of their stories and songs. As Australia's largest salt lake, it is usually dry but occasionally the lake fills with water - transforming into a desert oasis, with thousands of waterbirds flocking to the area. Nearby is the Painted Desert, a spectacular and recently discovered section of the pristine Breakaways country in the far north of South Australia. Created more than 80 million years ago, it's a large rocky outcrop of large and small hills, which emerge suddenly out of a flat, desert landscape. The area can only be accessed by air, due to its fragility and natural beauty. Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre and the Painted Desert are located in South Australia's outback, a two-hour scenic flight from Coober Pedy with Wrightsair  or a 13 hour drive from Adelaide on the  Explorer's Way road trip .

4. NGAUT NGAUT CONSERVATION PARK, MURRAY RIVER

Meander along the banks of the Murray, marvel at the majestic cliffs formed eons ago by an extinct sea bed and experience ancient rock art as you explore Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park , an Aboriginal site near Adelaide, and learn about the area's important dreaming and culture from a local guide. Tucked between Waikerie and Mannum near the Murray River , this hidden gem is an easy day trip from Adelaide and one of the most significant aboriginal cultural sites in South Australia, as the birthplace of Black Duck Dreaming. Scarred river red gums reveal the ancient practice of canoe making, which still continues along the Murray River. In recognition of the cultural significance of this park, please contact Mannum Aboriginal Community Association before visiting the park and to learn about available tours. Mobile: 0488052370.

5. CALPERUM STATION, MURRAY RIVER

Managed by a team of ecologists and indigenous rangers, Calperum Station is an internationally significant wetland system. Located just outside of Renmark, the property covers an expansive 240,000 hectares and is a haven for native birds and wildlife, as well as rare species of flora and fauna. The best way to discover this beautiful section of the Murray River is to embark on a guided 'Culture Meets Ecology' walk with a local ranger, who will guide you through the wetland and creek system that is dotted with significant cultural sites. 

THINGS TO DO 

1. embark on a bush camp in the vulkathunha-gammon ranges, northern flinders ranges.

Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park is a rugged and remote park in the northern Flinders Ranges that boasts deep gorges, chasms, towering ranges, tree-lined creeks and freshwater springs that are havens for rare and endangered plants and animals. A unique feature of the park is Lake Frome - an ephemeral salt lake, which is 100 kilometres long and plays an important role in the lives of the Adnyamathanha people. Join a guided tour with Iga Warta which is owned, managed and staffed completely by Aboriginal people. The tour operators want to "provide an opportunity for other people to come and experience our ways and break down the barriers between white and black". Embark on a Malkii tour and visit a painting site believed to be 35,000 years old, or visit an ochre pit and discover its importance to the Adnyamathanha people. Alternatively, join a local woman on a tour of a traditional women's site, or come to understand Australia's true history from the perspective of the local people - who will discuss how their lives changed since non-Aboriginal people came to Australia. They also offer overnight camping tours in the Gammon Ranges, crafts, painting, campfire storytelling and hunting tours. 

2. CULTURAL TOURS OF DHILBA GUURANDA-INNES NATIONAL PARK, YORKE PENINSULA

In 1868, the Point Pearce Aboriginal Mission was established, however the Narungga people travelled through the area for thousands of years prior. Their campsites can be found everywhere, especially along the coast - where stone tools, food remains and old fire places occur in abundance. Join Quenten Agius from Aboriginal Cultural Tours on a coastal tour that will see you strolling along an ancient shoreline as you hear the Dreaming stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. This is a truly unique way to discover this coastal gem and one of the only ways to understand the significance of Point Pearce, the Narungga story of survival and to witness how their ancestors lived. Quenten offers two, three and five day tours that can take you from the coastline to "out bush" toward the Clare Valley wine region and the Red Banks Conservation Park - home of megafauna fossils.

3. TASTE NATIVE FOODS ON A TOUR OF THE COORONG NATIONAL PARK

Coorong National Park is one of the most breathtaking national parks in Australia. You can cruise its serene backwaters or brave the elements along remote beaches. The long, salty lagoons are a haven for bird life, with a narrow strip of sand hills protecting the sheltered waters from the Southern Ocean. The name Coorong is an adaptation of the ' kurrangk ', the Ngarrindjeri word for this stretch of land and waters. You will be a guest of the Ngarrindjeri people, traditional custodians of the Coorong for thousands of years. Dotted throughout the sandy landscape are middens - mounds of shells deposited from many years of fishing. To be fully immersed in this pristine landscape, join Spirit of the Coorong's Ngarrindjeri Kurrangk Culture Experience Tour where you'll unearth and taste unique native foods, explore the pristine water network and be initiated into country with a smoke ceremony performed by your Ngarrindjeri guide.

4. FOLLOW THE INDIGENOUS TOURISM TRAIL, EYRE PENINSULA

Explore Eyre Peninsula 's Indigenous Tourism Trail and discover the region's Aboriginal culture and heritage from Poonindie near Port Lincoln to Head of Bight. The Poonindie Native Training Mission near Port Lincoln was opened in 1850 and the original church still remains. Port Lincoln’s Kuju Aboriginal Arts and Ceduna Arts and Cultural Centre showcase original Aboriginal art by local artists from the region. Along the way, visit the Big Wombat at Scotdesco near Ceduna or be awestruck by the annual migration of whales from the Head of Bight at winter.

5. MARVEL AT ABORIGINAL ART AND ARTEFACTS AT TANDANYA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL CULTURAL INSTITUTE, ADELAIDE

Explore and experience contemporary and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and art at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. The institute is Australia's oldest Aboriginal-owned and managed multi-arts centre, with the name Tandanya being the Kaurna word for “place of the Red Kangaroo". Experience a cultural presentation of the yidaki (didgeridoo) or a performance by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers. Hear about their heritage and their stories while visiting the galleries, that play host to at least 12 different exhibitions a year. You can also experience Tandanya through a tour with Bookabee Australia. Bookabee is completely Aboriginal owned and operated, with a variety of city based cultural immersion tours that include a stop off at Tandanya, a bush food trail through the stunning Adelaide Botanic Gardens and stories of what Aboriginal life looked like in Adelaide - before it became Adelaide. 

6. SEE THE WORLD'S LARGEST COLLECTION OF AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL CULTURAL MATERIAL, ADELAIDE

The South Australian Museum is located in the heart of the Adelaide CBD and is the perfect place to discover Aboriginal culture if you are only visiting for a couple of days. Immerse yourself in the world's largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material as you peruse over 3,000 artefacts on display - including the culturally significant Yuendumu Doors. Got a bit of time? Next door is the South Australian Art Gallery, that houses a permanent collection of dot paintings from central Australia that date back to the beginning of the painting movement in the early 1970s. If you have time to explore beyond the CBD, Kool Tours are based just 40 minutes out of Adelaide along the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula and offer a "day in the life of our people".

7. DISCOVER AN ANCIENT PETROGLYPH SITE WITH WADNA CULTURAL TOURS, FLINDERS RANGES

Adnyamathanha guide Kristian Coulthard offers a range of tours through the Flinders Ranges National Park and beyond. Kristian - who runs Wadna Cultural Tours - began teaching people about his culture on the weekends as a way to practice his traditional woodworking skills. Hailing from a place called Nepabunna - between Leigh Creek and the famous Arkaroola - Kristian has a deep connection with country and now supports other members of the Adnyamathanha community by selling their woven items, paintings and artworks alongside his hand carved wooden items at the Wadna Blinman shopfront . When he is not carving a collamon, walking stick or traditional tool, Kristian is guiding people through his country and showing groups traditional charcoal paintings at the Arkaroo rock shelter, as well as Dingly Dell - an ancient Adnyamathanha petroglyph site. Wadna Cultural Tours also offer a deep cultural immersion with the option to have a personally curated tour that will take you to some of the more hidden, lesser known cultural sites. 

Keep exploring...

Whether you’re looking for one of South Australia’s best hiking trails, camping spots or wildlife hotspots, escape the crowds and get back to nature with our guide to South Australia’s best national parks.  

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2 Night Tour 

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As well as discovering ancient Quinkan rock art with a Kuku-yalanji guide, be amazed by remarkable views over Cape York from Jowalbinna Bush Camp, where you spend two nights.

14km from Karratha Airport

3 Day Tour (Camping) - on request

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On this 3-day tour you’ll discover George Gorge, Python Pool, Pyramid Hill, and more. Includes meals, camping, and park fees for an enriching experience.

250km from Darwin

3-Day Kakadu and Arnhem Land Tour

with Lords Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris

From Fogg Dam Reserve to Yellow Water Billabong, see Kakadu and Arnhem Land in 4WD luxury. Enjoy an airboat ride, and visit remote Gunbalanya, Injalak Hill and Maguk.

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4-Day Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula Tour

with Venture North Safaris

Traverse Kakadu National Park by 4WD to Arnhem Land to glimpse ancient Aboriginal rock art. Camp on Cobourg Peninsula, then cruise the NT's largest marine park.

13km from Karratha Airport

4WD Tag-a-Long Tour

Jump in a 4WD with a Traditional Owner guide to see ancient Aboriginal rock art, visit sacred sites, hear traditional stories and forage for bush medicine and tucker.

4WD Tag-along Overnight Tour

Discover Milstream-Chichester NP, experience George Gorge's traditional tales. Camp under stars, learn celestial stories of Yindjibarndi.

5-Day Kakadu and Arnhem Land Tour

Discover the rich culture of Kakadu & Arnhem Land on this five-day safari. Explore Koolpin, Maguk, and Gunbalanya and stay at Davidson’s and Lords Safaris camp.

5-Day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula Tour

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25km from Perth

Aboriginal Art and Dreamtime Stories

with Dale Tilbrook Experiences

Enjoy a hands-on dot painting experience as your Aboriginal guide, Dale Tilbrook, shares Dreamtime tales and insights into First Nations cultures.

1km from Sydney

Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour

with The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Walk with your First Nations guide through the Cadi Jam Ora garden to discover Indigenous bush foods and learn how they were used traditionally – before sampling.

255km from Perth

Aboriginal Food, Culture, Cave & Didj Tour

with Koomal Dreaming

Identify traditional bush foods and medicine then journey into Ngilgi Cave for a live didgeridoo performance, Taste a delicious bush BBQ lunch with seasonal native flavours.

Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour

Join an experienced First Nations guide on a walking tour of the foreshore and discover the rich Gadigal heritage of the Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Harbour.

1km from Melbourne

Aboriginal Heritage Walk – Group Tours

with Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Join an Aboriginal guide on an exclusive group tour of the gardens, discovering bush tucker and native medicines, traditional tools and ceremonies. (Tues, Thurs, Sun only)

Aboriginal Heritage Walk – Public Tour

Discover the gardens with an Aboriginal guide, and journey into the ancestral lands of the Kulin Nation. Join a ceremony, taste bush tucker and enjoy lemon myrtle tea.

11km from Wagga Wagga Airport

Aboriginal Special Places Tour

with Bundyi Cultural Tours

Look, smell, learn and immerse yourself in Wiradjuri culture as Mark Saddler shares his ancient Country and its many spectacular and significant sites.

Aboriginal Walkabout Tour

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Aboriginal Walking Tour – River Camp/Birrarung Wilam Walk

with Koorie Heritage Trust

Aboriginal guides lead a walk through the cultural centre to the Yarra River, visiting art installations and discovering the Aboriginal history of Melbourne/Narrm.

1km from Adelaide

Adelaide CBD Cultural Tour

with Southern Cultural Immersion

Discover the wonderful and tragic colonial history of Adelaide while visiting several sites and seeing the heart of the city from a First Nations perspective.

50km from Wilpena Pound Airport

Adnyamathanha Yarta – Welcome To Country

with Wilpena Pound Resort

Enjoy a traditional Welcome to Country by the Yura people, offering the chance to immerse yourself in Indigenous cultures and interact with the local Yura people.

Akarroo Adnya Adnyamathanha Rock Art Tour

Accompany an Adnyamathanha guide for a walk on Country to Akarroo Adnya (Rock), where your guide will share fascinating stories behind its ancient paintings.

253km from Darwin

Anbinik Kakadu Resort Self-Drive Tour

with Kakadu Cultural Tours

Choose from a wide range of accommodation options and spend your days enjoying 4WD adventure tours, wildlife cruises and more uniquely Kakadu experiences.

43km from Katherine Airport

Ancient Garlarr River Safari

with Nitmiluk Tours

Join Jawoyn guides for an intimate cruise through the first gorge of Nitmiluk, with a cultural presentation at an Indigenous rock art site and a swim in the gorge.

Arnhemlander 4WD Day Tour

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Art Centre Tour

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4km from Broome

B1B Bungles Day Trek ex Broome

with Kingfisher Tours

Explore Purnululu from the air and on the ground with an Aboriginal guide. Visit Cathedral Gorge, The Domes, and Echidna Chasm. Scenic flight, tea and lunch included.

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B7M Broome to Mitchell Falls

Experience the vast beauty of this country from the air with a scenic flight ex Broome to the Mitchell Falls for a ground adventure with Kingfisher’s local Aboriginal guides.

BB Bullo Station to Bungles Air Safari ex Darwin

Embark on a 4-night air safari with Kingfisher Tours from Darwin to Bullo Station and Purnululu National Park, guided by locals. Customisation options available.

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BC Bungles (Purnululu) Tagalong Day Trek

Explore Purnululu with an Aboirginal guide navigating the epic dome maze into Cathedral Gorge. Self drive tour,

BC+ Bungles (Purnululu) Tagalong Day Trek Extended

Explore Purnululu with an Aboriginal guide. Visit Cathedral Gorge, The Domes, and Echidna Chasm. Self Drive Tour.

67km from Cairns

Bama Barrmal: Aboriginal Guide

with Walkabout Cultural Adventures

Travelling with a larger group? Hire your own transportation and then pick the Walkabout tour you’d like to complete – your Aboriginal guide will jump on board.

146km from Broome

Beagle Bay Cultural History Tour

with Kimberley Cultural Adventures

From Broome to Beagle Bay, learn about language while passing through Country. In Nyul Nyul, discover connections to Beagle Bay and explore the Sacred Heart Church.

Bespoke Private Touring

Tailored to you, a multi-day all-inclusive immersive experience, hosted and guided by Kingfisher’s Head guide, local Gija, Woolah woman.

350km from Darwin

Bespoke Safari with Cabin Stay

with Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris

This comfortable stay suits families and couples who’ll spend their days enjoying Davidson’s range of activities like cultural walks, wildlife viewing and more.

Bespoke Safari with Deluxe Cabin Stay

Relax in luxury surrounded by the iconic Arnhem Land wilderness, where Davidson’s expert guides share the living history of the land and guide you to sacred sites.

Bolongs Dreaming Safari – group tour on request

Enjoy a two-gorge cruise including rock-art interpretation, basket weaving or didgeridoo playing, and swimming in mesmerising Nitmiluk Gorge.

76km from Cairns

Boomerang or Canvas Workshop

with Janbal Gallery

Unleash your creativity in the heart of Kuku Yalanji country, in a hands-on art class led by acclaimed local Aboriginal artist, Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley.

200km from Broome

Borrgoron Coast to Creek Tour

with Borrgoron Coast to Creek Tours

Learn about your Bardi guide Terry Hunter’s connection to Country as you forage for fresh oysters and more on this walking tour along the tidal flats of Cygnet Bay.

Borrgoron Culture and History Tour

Soak up the beautiful views of Cygnet Bay as your guide, Bardi man Terry Hunter, dives deep into the stories that shaped the pearling industry.

16km from Broome

Broome's Ultimate Aboriginal Culture Expedition

with Mabu Buru Tours

This three-day experience includes the Cable Beach Muwarrt talk, a cruise in Roebuck Bay, visit to Dampier Peninsula, the Wakaj performance, transfers and all meals.

2km from Sydney

Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience

with Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience

For a fascinating cultural perspective of an iconic landmark and its surrounds, summit the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an Indigenous storyteller guide.

25km from Uluru

Bush Food Experience

with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

Learn about native Australian ingredients, ancient food preparation techniques and enjoy a demonstration of how these ingredients can be used in modern cooking.

8km from Uluru

Bush Medicine Workshop

with Maruku Arts

Senior Anangu ladies invite you to learn about the use of traditional bush medicine. Discover and sample native plants and their healing properties

Bush Tucker Talk and Tasting

Touch, taste, and smell traditional native snacks; discover Aboriginal agricultural practices and the secrets of living on the land according to the six Aboriginal seasons.

Bush Tucker and Rock Art Tour

Visit Country with a Traditional Owner for coastal foraging for native bush tucker, from berries to mud crabs. Be prepared to get hands-on (and a little dirty).

Bush Tucker and Wellbeing

Learn about the nutritional and healing properties of native food and medicinal plants from Wardandi Bibbulmun woman, Dale Tilbrook – and try them for yourself.

Listen to yarns told by Aboriginal storytellers about history, culture and traditional methods of foraging. You may even learn a word or two of Pitjantjatjara.

16km from Sunshine Coast Airport

Bushtucker Cruise

with Saltwater Eco Tours

Learn the stories of Queensland’s Sea Country on a relaxed, gourmet river cruise including a five-course meal showcasing fresh local seafood and native ingredients.

3km from Broome

Cable Beach Muwarrt

Discover Aboriginal culture, history and an explanation of creation beings by an Indigenous guide, alongside a song performance using traditional instruments.

Cicada Lodge

Check into this luxe, 18-room eco-lodge, owned and operated by the Jawoyn within Nitmiluk National Park. The perfect base to take a deep dive into Indigenous cultures.

304 km from Darwin

Cooinda Lodge Kakadu

with Kakadu Tourism

Owned by the local Indigenous community, this village-style property offers easy access to Yellow Water cruises, Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Nourlangie.

Cossack Walking Tour

Explore Bajinhurrba with a Traditional Owner on an easy 700m cultural walk.

Cultural Tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Visit the Gardens with an Aboriginal guide, learn the First Nations history, discover native plants and uses, and explore the connection Aboriginal people hold with Country.

304km from Darwin

Culture of Kakadu

Be immersed in the true history and culture of the Murumburr people. Learn about art, bush tucker and life as it was and as it is now. Watch the sun set over Burrungkuy.

26km from Katherine Airport

Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park

Venture 15 metres below the surface to explore the limestone Cutta Cutta Caves system, carved millions of years ago and amid a nature park brimming with wildlife.

1km from Cairns

Daintree Dreaming: Aboriginal Art and Culture

with Down Under Tours - Daintree Dreaming

Be inspired on guided walks through the Daintree and unleash your creativity in a class led by an Aboriginal artist at the Janbal Gallery.

Daintree Dreaming: Private Chauffeured Experiences and Group Tours

Delve deep into the ancient culture of the KuKu Yalanji people and immerse yourself in a hands-on experience.

Daintree Dreaming: Traditional Aboriginal Fishing

Discover the World Heritage Daintree National Park and learn how to catch bush tucker from a Kubirri Warra clan member on their traditional grounds at Cooya Beach.

Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris

Retreat to the Arnhem Land wilderness at sacred Mt Borradaile, where there’s private cabins, barramundi fishing, Aboriginal rock art and floodplain boating to enjoy.

43 km from Katherine Airport

Sunrise is arguably the most dreamy time to visit two of Nitmiluk’s gorges, as you cruise the dawn glow casts cliffs in a fiery light. Quiet, calm and beautiful.

Kuku Yalanji guides show you the importance of Quinkan rock art at a remote and isolated site. You will see the art face to face with no barriers between you and the work.

2.1km from Cairns

Deadly After Dark – Sunset, Canapes and Culture - Fridays only

Embark on a sunset river cruise to the Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Protected Area to experience Mandingalbay Yidinji culture and feast on seasonal delights.

Deadly Dinner - Group Experience

Designed for groups, this memorable alfresco dinner experience with Indigenous entertainment is hosted on a picturesque slice of Aboriginal land near Cairns/Gimuy.

Didgeridoo Cave Tour

Identify native bush foods and medicine on a walk to Ngilgi Cave. Deep inside the cave, listen to Dreaming legends and a moving didgeridoo performance.

8km from Shark Bay Airport

Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour

with Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures

Enjoy Dreaming and the ancient sounds of the didgeridoo by a warm campfire under a blanket of stars, accompanied by a tasting of seafood and bush tucker.

Didgeridoo Workshop

Be enthralled by the enchanting sounds of the didgeridoo, and then try your hand at playing this traditional Aboriginal instrument. It’s not as easy as it looks.

Dot-Painting Experience

A fun and organic dot-painting workshop with a local Anangu artist. Learn about traditional art, symbols, tools and more to create your own artwork.

1.5km from Cairns

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

Float into the Dreamtime on this Great Barrier Reef trip, as First Nations Cultural Guides share Creation stories and cultural knowledge along the way.

80km from Cairns

Dreamtime Gorge Walk

with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre

Mossman Gorge is a spiritual place. Enjoy exclusive access to Kuku Yalanji land and hear stories of culture and traditions on a walk, then sample bush tea and damper.

100km from Sydney

Firescreek Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience

with Firescreek Botanical Winery Aboriginal Experiences

Enjoy a taste of bush tucker, award-winning wines and traditional Aboriginal storytelling as an Aboriginal guide leads this memorable hands-on experience.

63km from Cairns

Flames of the Forest Aboriginal Cultural Experience

with Flames of the Forest

Savour a tropical dinner tour into the Port Douglas rainforest, where you’ll also learn about the world’s oldest surviving cultures surrounded by ancient scenery.

Flames of the Forest Private Dining Experience

Gather your favourite people together for a rainforest dining experience that’s a feast for every sense, featuring Dreamtime storytelling and didgeridoo music.

10km from Shark Bay Airport

Francois Peron National Park 4WD Adventure

The ultimate 4WD adventure exploring Francois Peron National Park with snorkelling with turtles, birdwatching and Aboriginal bush tucker experiences all included.

5km from Coffs Harbour Airport

Full-Day Cultural Tour: Paddle and Walk

with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours

Combine a blissful stand-up paddleboarding tour with an insightful cultural walking tour, immersing you in Gumbaynggirr stories, language and bush tucker.

Full-Day Ngana Julaymba Dungay/We all going Daintree

Join your Kuku Yalanji guide on a rainforest walk, plus a visit to Mossman Gorge. Have a go at boomerang and spear throwing and, if you are lucky, catch a mud crab.

Full-Day Ngana Kulkinga Dungay/We all going Cape Tribulation

Head north of the Daintree to Cape Tribulation to discover Kuku Yalanji connections to Country, with guided walks revealing bush foods and medicines, and history.

Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA) – Guided Tour

This gallery is a platform for the Indigenous community to share their stories and cultures through art, whether sculptures and installations, print or paintings.

1.5km from Sydney

Ghurryungun – Welcome to Country

with Dreamtime Southern X

Be accepted into Sydney/Warrane’s heart with a smoking ceremony – an ancient Aboriginal ritual that invites the ancestors to guide and protect you on your journey.

Group Aboriginal Cultural Tour

Join an experienced Aboriginal guide on a tailored walking tour and discover the rich Aboriginal heritage, flora and fauna of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Guided Garden Walks

Explore the flora of Ayers Rock Resort’s gardens with an Aboriginal guide, and discover how Traditional Owners lived using the bush for food and medicinal purposes.

287km from Darwin

Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on East Alligator River

Soak up the serene scenes of croc country as your Aboriginal guide offers insights into First Nations cultures, bush tucker, spirituality and traditional hunting.

685 km from Halls Creek

HCB1+ Halls Creek Bungles Day Trek Extended

Explore Purnululu with an Aboriginal guide. Visit Cathedral Gorge, The Domes, and Echidna Chasm. Scenic flight, tea, lunch, and return flight included.

Half-Day Ngana Julaymba Dungay/We all going Daintree

Discover coastal habitats, bush foods and traditional medicine. Collect shellfish, try traditional hunting practices, and visit Mossman Gorge for a walk and swim.

Half-Day Ngana Kulkinga Dungay/We all going Cape Tribulation

Learn about Kuku Yalanji connection to Country, with guided walks, bush foods and medicines, traditions and history between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.

9km from Shark Bay Airport

Hamelin Pool 4WD Tour

Explore South Peron's beauty, from Stromatolites to Shell Beach and beyond. Discover marine wonders and stunning ocean views along remote tracks.

Hands on Country Eco Tour

Cruise across Trinity Inlet to experience a warm Mandingalbay Yidinji welcome, a smoking ceremony, a guided bushwalk and more on traditional Aboriginal land.

289km from Darwin

Hawk Dreaming Wilderness Lodge Self-Drive Tour

40km from Katherine Airport

Helicopter Scenic Flights

Soar over three, eight or 13 dazzling gorges in a helicopter, or take in Edith Falls. Some flights can be upgraded to include a remote landing at 17 Mile Valley.

IK3N Iconic Kimberley Air Safari ex Darwin or Broome

Immerse yourself in the Kimberley's most iconic destinations! Stay and adventure in Purnululu and Mitchell Falls National Parks, hosted by Custodians for country.

Illi-Langi – The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour

Feel the ancient heartbeat that pulses through Sydney/Warrane as your Aboriginal guide reveals the Dreamtime wisdoms embedded in and around the harbour.

260km from Melbourne

Indigenous Culture and Nature Tour

with Worn Gundidj @ Tower Hill

Gain an insight into traditional culture and practices on an Aboriginal-guided tour of a spectacular wildlife reserve in Victoria’s oldest dormant volcano.

Kakadu Adventure Tours

Get off the beaten track and discover Kakadu’s wild heart by 4WD discovering local swimming holes and gorges and learning about the history and culture of the land.

Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp

Stay in a safari-style tent on Traditional Owner's lands, immersing yourself in the local culture, guided by the knowledge and stories of the land's traditional custodians.

300 km from Darwin

Kakadu Full Moon Feast

Explore Kakadu, dine with the local Cooinda family, savour Indigenous cuisine, learn about Murumburr community, enjoy a star presentation, storytelling and didgeridoo.

290km from Uluru

Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tour

with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours

Marvel at the intricacies of Aboriginal handicrafts, including traditional necklaces and clap sticks, and learn the secrets of bush medicines and native tucker.

Kaya Cape Experience

Learn about the Wadandi peoples’ connection to the Cape to Cape region on a guided walk around Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse followed by an interactive cultural session.

Kayak and Wildlife Adventure

Join a guided kayaking and snorkelling adventure through sheltered bays and mangroves spotting turtles, dugongs, dolphins, stingrays, birds and much more.

Koolpin Gorge: Kakadu and Arnhem Land

Exploring Kakadu and Arnhem Land in a luxury 4WD, your four-day adventure visits Koolpin Gorge (be prepared for a hike), Yellow Water Billabong, Gunbalanya and more.

334km from Melbourne

Kooyang Yana | Kooyang Walk | Full Day Tour

with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism

Discover the history of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape from creation and ancient aquaculture to now, visiting the National Park, Kurtonitj IPA and Tae Rak (Lake Condah) wetlands.

Kuluyampi Explorer – Journey Beyond

Cruise through Nitmiluk’s first gorge, before grabbing a canoe to paddle as far as you can – will you make it to the fifth gorge? Cool off in rain-fed swimming holes.

Kuniya Walk – Cave Art Tour

Gain insights into life at Uluru, hear Kuniya Tjukurpa (stories) and see Tjukuritja (stories set in stone). Explore three caves and bush foods with an Anangu guide.

Local History and Culture

Guided by Wardandi Bibbulmun woman Dale Tilbrook, you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal life, ancient spirituality and the Dreamtime, and taste bush tucker.

M7 Mitchell Falls (Punamii-Uunpuu) Tagalong Day Trek

This self drive day trek, allows campers and visitors to the national park to fully immerse themselves in this magical place and be safely guided through the renowned trail.

Malappar Traveller

Cruise through Nitmiluk’s first gorge, learning about Jawoyn culture, before jumping into canoes to paddle second and third gorges at your leisure, dwarfed by cliffs.

1km from Broome

Mangrove Discovery Experience

with Narlijia Experiences Broome

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Roebuck Bay’s mangroves and mudflats with Aboriginal guides sharing the culture and history of Broome/Rubibi and the bay.

Marralam Cultural Day Tour on Legune Station

Join a day tour with Kingfisher Tours from Kununurra to Legune Station, crossing into the Northern Territory for cultural immersion, gorges, and more.

254 km from Darwin

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

Nestled in the Kakadu wilderness and featuring its own Aboriginal art gallery, this croc-shaped hotel is a great base for exploring Ubirr and the Mamukala Wetlands.

Mirima National Park Walk

Walk among the ancient escarpments of Mirima National Park, exploring rock-art sites with Aboriginal Elders and learning about bush foods, history and artefacts.

Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour

Come sunset, cruise through two Nitmiluk gorges enjoying a Jawoyn cultural experience, plus a candlelit three-course dinner and glass of sparkling wine.

Ngilgi Cave Cultural Tour

Explore Ngilgi Cave, including a haunting didgeridoo performance, then discover bush foods and medicines, plus the art of traditional fire lighting and tool making.

Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water) Camp Tents

Budget styles camping tents set out for two. beside the scenic Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water) billabong.

Nitmiluk Cabins

These one- and two-bedroom self-contained cabins are centrally located to explore Nitmiluk National Park. Niceties include air-con, balcony, cooking facilities and TV.

Nitmiluk Campground

Centrally located adjacent to the Nitmiluk Gorge entrance, these unpowered and powered campsites have access to amenities blocks, laundry, pool and outdoor kitchens.

Nitnit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour

Explore two of Nimiluk’s gorges, with your cruise offering insights into ancient rock art, basket weaving and didgeridoo playing. Plus, the chance for a swim.

Overnight Tour

Journey into one of the world’s most remote wildernesses, where you’ll visit the ancient Quinkan Rock Art gallery, camp under the stars and sample bush tucker.

25km from Cairns

Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

with Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at Rainforestation Nature Park

This in-depth insight into Indigenous culture includes a dance performance and a Dreamtime Walk, with boomerang and spear throwing, and didgeridoo playing included.

Pamagirri Art

As a souvenir to take home, create a small canvas or paint a boomerang under the guidance of an experienced Pamagirri artist. Only available for groups and school excursions.

Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout

Join a Pamagirri guide to dive deep into Aboriginal culture, including customs, Totems, rainforest survival and more, against the backdrop of lush tropical rainforest.

Pamagirri Yarning Circle

For larger groups, the Pamagirri Yarning Circle offers open conversations with a guide, exploring traditional culture to modern Indigenous life.

15km from Karratha Airport

Premium Rock Art Tour – Nganjarli (Afternoon Tour)

Explore Murujuga National Park, with the highest concentration of rock art in the world, and discover 40,000-year-old petroglyphs created by the Yaburrara people.

Private Aboriginal Walking Tour – River Camp/Birrarung Wilam Walk

Private tours to the Yarra River with an Aboriginal guide can be tailored to include additional cultural talks and tour of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Aboriginal art.

Private Aboriginal Walking Tour – Scar Tree Walk

Walk to the Yarra River with a guide, visiting art installations and learning Aboriginal history. Continue to Yarra Park to glimpse culturally significant ‘scar trees’.

1km from Darwin

Private Charters

Tailor-made group and individual 4WD tours through Kakadu and Arnhem Land might include wilderness trips, cultural and photographic safaris, and fishing tours.

Enjoy a private Aboriginal-guided tour of Broome/Rubibi and Roebuck Bay, including Dampier Creek, mangrove forests and mudflats, while hearing stories about life here.

5km from Cairns

Private Exclusive Heli Tour

Fly over mighty rivers, land on ancient sandstone escarpments, and explore the UNESCO Quinkan Rock Art Gallery, home to over 450 pieces of art.

Private Touring

Create a bespoke itinerary to cover your interests: art and craft galleries, guided walks, pristine waterfalls, bird and wildlife watching or Aboriginal sites.

Private touring options are available for all tours. Enjoy a unique private tour exclusively guided by Josh Whiteland, cultural Custodian of the Wadandi people.

Private Twilight Didgeridoo Cave Tour

Rock Art Tour - Yaburrara (Morning Tour)

Join a Traditional Owner along the Yaburrara Trail to see ancient rock art by the Yaburrara people. Visit shell middens and sacred sites, and enjoy spectacular views.

Rubibi (Broome) Bushtucker & Culture Tour - on request

Discover bush foods and medicine plants, learn about Broome's history, experience a private didgeridoo performance and get hands on with some traditional Nyul Nyul artifacts.

Rubibi (Broome) Cultural Tour

Dive deep into Broome’s cultural past, discovering bush foods, medicine plants, experiencing a didgeridoo performance and getting hands on with Nyul Nyul artefacts.

SEIT Daintree Rainforest - Aboriginal Art and Culture

with SEIT - Daintree Rainforest

Experience Mossman Gorge on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, learn Aboriginal painting skills, and soak up the Daintree’s wonders on guided rainforest walks.

SEIT Daintree Rainforest - Traditional Aboriginal Fishing

Learn how to catch coastal bush tucker and explore the Daintree Rainforest on private trails that reveal the Kuku Yalanji peoples' special connection to the ecosystem.

SEIT Patji – A True Aboriginal Experience

with SEIT - Patji

This 4WD adventure through the Red Centre includes sunset enjoyed on a private sand dune overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa, with stories from Traditional Owners.

Sacred Canyon Yura Mulka Cultural Walk

Join an Adnyamathanha guide into Sacred Canyon to discover the cultural significance and ancient rock engravings from the perspective of the Traditional Owners.

Saltwater Cultural Tour

Immerse yourself in Indigenous cultures on a Traditional Owner-led cruise on the peaceful Mooloolah River, including a delicious bush tucker-inspired lunch.

Sharing Our Country Safari – group tour on request

Take a three-gorge cruise including rock-art interpretation, basket weaving or didgeridoo playing, and a chance for a refreshing swim in Nitmiluk Gorge.

74km from Adelaide

Southern Cultural Tour

A bus tour visiting significant Kaurna cultural sites, encouraging open and honest dialogue about developing pathways in working together for future generations.

Stand-up Paddleboard Tours

Explore Shark Bay’s sheltered bays, where the red sand from the desert meets the blue waters of the ocean. Have fun while floating through spectacular landscapes.

80km from Coffs Harbour Airport

Stand-up Paddleboarding Tour

Learn all about Gumbaynggirr Country while paddling the waterways of the Coffs Coast’s Solitary Islands Marine Park. Three locations reveal different stories.

Stargazing Tour

Discover the celestial wonders above and the rich cultural tapestry below on a Stargazing Boat Tour on Yellow Water billabong.

Steep Point Wild West Camping Safari

This 2-day 4WD journey includes coastal exploration of WA’s wild west coast, beach camping, seafood feasts and didgeridoo beneath starry skies.

Sunset Tour

Salute sunset with the sounds of the didgeridoo and a taste of delicious homemade damper and bush food. Indigenous guides showcase Miriwoong art, culture and history.

Tae Rak (Lake Condah) Guided Cultural Walk

A guided tour of Tae Rak (Lake Condah) telling the Gunditjmara creation story, the lifecycle of eels and the aquaculture systems designed to trap and harvest eels.

Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre Café

The café is part of the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre facility. Meals, coffee and cake are served, alongside a retail space.

20km from Katherine

Tales & Traditions

with Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery

Experience a smoking ceremony, bushtucker/medicine walk, Aboriginal culture, fire-lighting, spear-throwing, plus NT's finest Aboriginal art and didgeridoos for sale.

A four-course dinner highlighting native ingredients on a dune under the Southern Desert sky with views of Uluru. Creation stories and didj performances entertain.

Taste of Wiradjuri Cultural Tour

Visit Kengal and more sacred sites as your Aboriginal guide, Mark Saddler, shares his knowledge of Wiradjuri life and language, and serves up a barbecue lunch.

The Wakaj Experience

This traditional dance known as Maru! Is performed by The Pintirri Dancers at sunset, accompanied by Karajarri songs, stories about Dreamtime, with a side of damper and tea.

Timeless Land Three Gorge Tour

This cruise lasts four hours, but travels back thousands of years in time through three Nitmiluk gorges. Discover ancient rock art, then take a dip at a waterfall.

Tiwi by Design

Cruise from Darwin/Gulumerrdgen to Bathurst Island for a Welcome to Country ceremony and damper and a cuppa with your Tiwi guide. Enjoy an art class.

Tungatt Mirring | Stone Country | Half Day Tour

Discover the history of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, exploring the National Park and Lake Surprise and Kurtonitj IPA, where guides reveal Indigenous Gunditjmara culture.

Twilight Didgeridoo Cave Tour

Identify native bush foods and medicine on a twilight walk to Ngilgi Cave. Deep inside the cave, listen to Dreaming legends and a moving didgeridoo performance.

Ultimate Luxury Safari Adventure

Your luxury 4WD journey into Kakadu and Arnhem Land visits Fogg Dam Reserve, Gunbalanya and Maguk Gorge, with stays at Bamurru Plains and other luxe lodges and camps.

Under the Stars Night Tour

Journey through landscapes and engage in the living traditions of the local Aboriginal people of the area during this unforgettable evening under the stars.

WW Waterfall Wanderer 4WD Tour ex Kununurra

Explore the hidden waterfalls of Kununurra and surrounds with Kingfisher Aboriginal guides. Discover art, bush botanicals, and stories of Country on this 4WD tour.

Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Developed by Kakadu’s Traditional Owners, Warradjan tells the tale of those who’ve lived in the area for millennia, featuring remarkable displays and artefacts.

13km from Adelaide

Warriparinga Cultural & Historical Tour

Aboriginal guides lead you on this interactive tour of Warriparinga grounds and wetlands, where you’ll learn the history of the site and its traditional cultural significance.

Wilpena Pound and Ikara Safari Camp

Check into resort rooms, glamping safari tents, powered campsites, unpowered bush campsites with access to a restaurant, bar, pool, store, petrol and more.

Wilubidy/Francois Peron National Park Camping Safari

Camp on the beach, watch wildlife, forage for bush foods and savour a campfire dinner to the sounds of the didgeridoo and Aboriginal Dreaming Stories.

Wintjiri Wiru After Dark

Anangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS.

Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner

Wintjiri wiru twilight.

Enjoy Aussie wine and cheese while marvelling at the beauty of Uluru's silhouette at dusk. Drones, lights, traditional music and language bring this Mala story to life.

Wiradjuri Culture and Winery Private Tour

On this intimate tour you’ll learn about Wiradjuri culture, visit a brewery and a goldmine, and enjoy an exclusive lunch and wine-tasting.

Wiradjuri Motorcycle Tour - Full Day

Explore Wiradjuri culture on a full-day guided motorcycle tour around Wagga Wagga. Visit sites, learn, and enjoy an exclusive winery visit with lunch.

Wiradjuri Motorcycle Tour - Half Day

Discover Wiradjuri culture on a half-day motorcycle tour in Wagga Wagga. Explore sites, learn about culture, and connect with the Wiradjuri people.

World Heritage Walking Tour

Explore stunning coastline and wildlife on this 3-day walking tour of two national parks located in the Shark Bay World Heritage area.

4.5km from Sydney

Wyanga Malu – Tour by Coach

Explore Sydney/Warrane with Aboriginal guides and discover five sacred sites hidden in plain sight, including ancient rock engravings.

305 km from Darwin

Yellow Water Cruise

Be awed and enthralled as your Bininj guides reveal the remarkable flora and fauna of this scenic billabong in the heart of sacred Kakadu National Park.

58km from Moruya Airport

Yuin Retreat

with Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness

Discover Dreaming stories of Djirringanj Country, the heart of the Yuin Nation. Experience ceremonies, guided walks, healing sessions, Aboriginal dining and more.

Yura Undyu – Our Culture, Your Culture

This leisurely walk with an Aboriginal guide takes you to Old Wilpena Station, one of South Australia’s oldest and best preserved pastoral settlements.

1km from Launceston

wukalina Walk

with wukalina Walk

What a way to dive into the palawa history of northeast Tasmania/lutruwita, hiking with local guides, staying in exclusive accommodation and enjoying amazing food.

It’s often who you meet when you travel to Australia that stays with you. Aboriginal guides are no exception. They bring a unique cultural insight to the lands and history of Australia through their stories and ways of life. And they’re a friendly bunch, ready to welcome you onto Country, and share their knowledge with you. Choose an Aboriginal-guided experience, and discover why they are so unforgettable.   

Where To Go

Aboriginal cultures continue to thrive across Australia, from the red deserts of the outback to our buzzing capital cities, in lush coastal rainforests and beyond. And opportunities to experience these cultures with Aboriginal guides abound. So no matter which corner of Australia you are inspired to visit, there is likely to be an Aboriginal-guided experience available nearby to make your trip more memorable. 

From Our Guests

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef through Indigenous eyes was a transformative experience.” Melissa Bromley, Guest, Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

It’s a coast I've visited many times, but it’s now etched in stories and culture.” Andrew Bain, Award-winning Journalist & Author

From the unrivalled harbour views to the fascinating Aboriginal stories, it was just wonderful.” Jacqui Vincent, Guest, Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience

The cultural element of this tour is what makes it special including the spectacular environment” Olivier Mercien-Ferol, Guest, Sand Dune Adventures

Fantastic, the guide, the experience, the landscape!” Adil Hmami, Aussie Specialist Trainer, France, Kakadu Cultural Tours

Josh’s digeridoo performance was literally spine tingling.” Ruth Mintern, Guest, Kaya Cape Experience

Juan’s interpretative Daintree tour opened my eyes to Kuku Yalanji sacred lore and storytelling.” Susan Kurosawa, Acclaimed Australian Journalist

Travelling deep into sacred lands and prolific wilderness make this a trip of a thousand memories.” Georgia Rickard, Editor at large, Virgin Australia

Walking on Country with a Traditional Custodian connected me to Australia in a whole new way. ” Sarah Reid, Australian Travel Writer of the Year

The Karrke tour opened my eyes to the unique way of life of Indigenous peoples in the Red Centre.” Jana Frawley, Editorial Director, Escape (Australia’s #1 Travel Publication)

23 Jan 2024

Discover Aboriginal Experiences launches 4 member case studies on sustainable tourism for Earth Day 2024

A collective of quality, authentic, Aboriginal-guided tourism offerings, Discover Aboriginal Experiences (DAE) is delighted to launch four case studies on collective members going to extraordinary lengths when it comes to sustainable tourism, whether that relates to protecting the environment, community, culture – or all three.

How to experience regenerative travel on an Aboriginal tour

More than ever, tourists are conscious of the impact their presence has on the landscapes they visit – particularly when they’re travelling to fragile, far-flung environments. Welcome to ‘regenerative travel’, the concept of leaving a place better than you found it and the next step in sustainable travel.

Meet the women leading the Aboriginal tourism charge

Much of the growth in Aboriginal cultural tourism has happened in the years since Sydney/Warrane hosted the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, and many credit Aunty Margret Campbell with spearheading the movement. An Elder from New South Wales’ Dunghutti-Jerrinja Nation, Margret has seen a huge shift in awareness over the last two decades.

Discover Aboriginal Experiences launches exciting trade and media offerings

Journalists and trade can take a deep dive into the DAE collective via the freshly launched 2024 Discover Aboriginal Experiences Media Kit, which contains a comprehensive portfolio of stories and ideas to inspire features and offer insights into Australia’s rich history and the world’s oldest living cultures.

Discover Aboriginal Experiences welcomes five new members

From Broome in Western Australia to a World Heritage-listed site in Victoria, the five newest members in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio offer a range of eye-opening experiences lasting from a few hours to a few days.

26 Sept 2023

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

Seeing Uluru in a new light

by Natasha Dragun

We were there when Wintjiri Wiru launched in May this year, and enjoyed a fascinating panel discussion about the show.

23 June 2023

Meet our newest member: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

From Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Indigenous rangers take guests on an immersive ride to explore this country through Aboriginal eyes.

22 Feb 2023

Understanding Aboriginal etiquette

by Fleur Bainger

Did you know it’s impolite in Aboriginal cultures to look someone directly in the eye? Or that shaking hands isn’t always the done thing? How about that it’s taboo for women to play the didgeridoo?

5 globally sought-after travel experiences elevated by Aboriginal guides

Australia lays claim to a world-renowned suite of tourism experiences. But it’s not as well known that many of these bucket-list activities can be experienced with an Aboriginal guide.

Uncover the deep cultural significance of Aboriginal place names

For more than 65,000 years, Aboriginal place names have carried knowledge passed down through generations. They’re symbolic of the Indigenous relationships to, and appreciation for, the land and water.

Stay in the loop

Frequently asked questions.

Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collective of quality, authentic Aboriginal guided tourism experiences showcasing the world’s oldest living cultures. 

This flagship suite of extraordinary Aboriginal experiences is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program that promotes outstanding and inspiring experiences that capture the very essence of Australia.

The name of the collective was informed by the strong international recognition of the term ‘Aboriginal’ and its association with Australia, though all references to Aboriginal peoples on the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website should be assumed to include Torres Strait Islander peoples where relevant.

Aboriginal Australia is made up of dozens of different 'Nations’, each with their own culture, customs, language and laws. This means that no two Aboriginal experiences are the same, so you’re guaranteed to learn something new on each and every tour, from ancient sustainability practices to cultural stories linked to the local landscape.  

There’s also an incredible diversity of Aboriginal experiences to choose from. Whether you prefer relaxed walking tours, or an exhilarating quad-biking adventure is more your style, Aboriginal tour options come in all shapes and sizes, and last from less than an hour to multiple days.

The Australian outback is well known for its Aboriginal experiences, but you don’t have to go bush, as we say in Australia, to get a taste of Aboriginal cultures. Aboriginal experiences are available all over the country, all year round, including in major cities.

Aboriginal experiences offer fantastic opportunities for families of all kinds to learn together and bond, with many experiences including hands-on activities young ones will love.  

Aboriginal guides are warm, welcoming and extremely generous of spirit. They are also incredible storytellers, with a knack for bringing landscapes to life through evocative tales bound to enthral kids big and small.

Cultural exchange is at the heart of Aboriginal experiences, with questions welcomed on all tours. Your guides may not always have the answers, but no questions are off-limits if posed respectfully.

Remember to ask permission before taking photographs of Aboriginal people or cultural sites.

Simply search for tours on the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website, then click through to book directly with the operator.

An Aussie Specialist has the knowledge and experience to help you plan and book an Aboriginal-guided tour as part of your trip to Australia. Search for a travel agent here  .

Many Aboriginal operators are equipped to cater to guests with restricted mobility and other special needs. Most companies also offer private tours that can be tailored to your needs; enquire directly with the operators.

Tours and experiences offered by Discover Aboriginal Experiences operators are continually evolving. Contact operators directly for more information about their current offerings.

Check with your operator for specifics, but if your tour is outdoors, comfortable walking shoes, adequate drinking water and sun protection are essential. A willingness to listen, learn and have fun will serve you well on any Aboriginal tour.

The Australian Government no longer requires international travellers to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia. Some Discover Aboriginal Experiences operators may have COVID-19 health requirements of their own; contact operators directly to check.

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Aboriginal Culture Museums & Sites

Museums & sites.

The world’s oldest known civilisation, Aboriginal Australians have a history that dates back more than 60,000 years. Understandably, this heritage, and the culture that comes with it, has shaped, and continues to shape, Sydney – and the rest of Australia.

Museums & galleries

Art lovers are well catered for in Sydney, with galleries, museums and cultural centres ranging from spaces you could easily lose yourself in for a day, to intimate independently-owned establishments where you can meet the maker. And an increasing number are dedicated to sharing and studying Aboriginal history through exhibitions, speaking events and workshops.

Indigenous Australians exhibition, Australian Museum

Enter  The Australian Museum  in Sydney’s central business district, near leafy  Hyde Park . The space’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collection sits across two permanent exhibitions:  Bayala Nura (Yarning Country)  and  Garrigarrang (Sea Country). Together, they form one of the world’s most significant First Nations collections. As you cross Hyde Park, on the way is  Yininmadyemi Thou Didst Let Fall  is a powerful piece by Indigenous artist Tony Albert, which acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who served, sacrificed and survived.

It’s a short walk to the Art Gallery of NSW , host to the eye-opening Yiribana Gallery (reopens in December 2022). Permanent and temporary exhibits reveal the influence of  Aboriginal heritage and culture  through bark paintings, weavings, sculptures and more. Then overlooking Circular Quay , the  Museum of Contemporary Art ’s extensive collection of Indigenous art includes an annual exhibit to celebrate up-and-coming First Nations creatives under the age of 35.

Art After Hours, Art Gallery of NSW 

The  Australian National Maritime Museum  sits on the cusp of Darling Harbour . If the views don’t wow you, then the Eora First People exhibition will – it honours the traditional Gadigal owners of the land and their connection to the land and sea.

Aboriginal sites

You don’t need to be inside to appreciate the impact of Indigenous culture on Sydney – there are thousands of preserved Aboriginal sites allowing you to go straight to the source. Many are featured along  Sydney's best hikes and walks , giving you the chance to get back to nature while discovering ancient rock engravings, perhaps, or sacred middens (piles of shells left behind by generations past that reveal a tale of conservation).

West Head , Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park - Andrew Gregory - Destination NSW

In the north of the city, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park  is home to more than 800 recorded Aboriginal sites, from those middens to axe grinding grooves, rock paintings and stencils. Lace up your walking shoes to take on the Basin Track , which has one of the park’s most significant art sites : a series of animals and human figures dating back millennia.

Aboriginal heritage walk , Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Credit: Andrew Richards/OEH

Still in the park, West Head is the launch point for the  Aboriginal Heritage Walk  and  Red Hands Cave Walking Track . You only need to walk 10 minutes to discover eye-opening rock art, while further along the trail lie historic occupation shelters where families would shelter from the elements.

In the  Northern Beaches ,  Grotto Point is located inside the Dobroyd Head section of  Sydney Harbour National Park . This is your chance to see Aboriginal engravings up close. Here, everything from kangaroos, whales, fish, humans and boomerangs are etched into sandstone, with informative signage to heighten your visit. While you’re here, keep your eyes peeled for axe-grinding grooves near the foreshore.

Curracurrong Falls, Royal National Park

In the opposite direction, south of the city,  Royal National Park ’s standout attractions are the great whale and sky spirit engravings at Jibbon Head. There are ample viewing platforms to ogle the art, as well as interpretive signs offering insights into the lives of the traditional owners of the land, the Dharawal people.

Kamay Botany Bay National Park , Kurnell

Near the airport,  Kamay Botany Bay National Park  includes multiple sites that played host to important moments in Sydney's Aboriginal history. This is where Captain Cook landed in the Endeavour , and the native Gweagal people resisted the arrival of European settlers. The Kurnell Visitor Centre gives an overview of the impact the arrival had on Indigenous communities. Then pick up a map and navigate the Burrawang Walk , which further transports you back to that first formative meeting between the Aboriginal people and Europeans.  

Museums in Sydney

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Aboriginal culture

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Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water.

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Please note that this website might show images and names of First Peoples who have passed.

Guide to Aboriginal sites and places

Discover the multitude of Aboriginal sites and places and how Aboriginal people used them, sometimes for generations.

Wishing you knew more about Aboriginal culture? Search no more.

Get key foundational knowledge about Aboriginal culture in a fun and engaging way.

This is no ordinary resource: It includes a fictional story, quizzes, crosswords and even a treasure hunt.

Stop feeling bad about not knowing. Make it fun to know better.

Sold! Show me how No, thank you

You can find Aboriginal sites everywhere in Australia. Even in heavily urbanised environments like Sydney many Aboriginal places survive.

This guide outlines different Aboriginal sites and explains what Aboriginal people used them for [1] .

Occupation site

'Occupation site' is a general term for a place where Aboriginal people lived and used the natural resources, for example rock shelters, quarry sites, middens and open camp sites.

A 'midden' is an occupation site where Aboriginal people left the remains of their meals. At some sites substantial deposits grew over generations of use of the same area, and some middens are a few metres deep. For some Aboriginal nations middens are sacred sites.

When Aboriginal people had visited a certain area, they sometimes intentionally left the waste remains of the food they had consumed as the top layer of the midden pile so that the next people to visit could see what had just been harvested and would choose something else to eat so they didn't over-use the resource. [2]

Middens thus represent a blueprint for sustainable harvesting of coastal resources , but are also an archaeological treasure trove.

Oyster and cockle shells are most commonly found in middens, as well as animal bones and charcoal. Some middens also contain artefacts and tools made from stone, bone or shell. Freshwater mussel shells or crustaceans occur in middens further from the coastal or tidal influence. Some sites hold the remains of shells only found in other locations, an indication of Aboriginal peoples' movements.

Sometimes burials occurred in middens if the surrounding soil was too hard.

Middens are disappearing: Fast recreational boats create waves that are strong enough to slowly wash away middens close to the water line, and rising sea levels contribute in the long run as well.

Video: Exploring stone tools

Take a look at the Aboriginal shell midden at North Era Beach in the Royal National Park, NSW. Learn about the various thumbnail scrapers, blades, cortex flakes and other stone tools, and debris that can be found outside of the protected midden area.

Note that it is against the law to destroy, deface, or damage or desecrate an Aboriginal object or Aboriginal place, or in relation to an object, move the object from the land on which is has been situated.

Natural site of significance

Any natural landform can be a natural Aboriginal site, such as rock platforms, water holes or creeks. A famous natural site of significance are the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney.

Burial site, burial ground

A burial site is a very significant Aboriginal place. Where the ground was soft Indigenous people buried their dead. Sand dunes, middens, rock shelters and sometimes specially constructed mounds were also used for burials.

Quarry site

Aboriginal people quarried rock for making tools such as axes. They used ochre and clay for body decoration or painting on rock surfaces and objects.

Rock shelter

Rock shelters are Aboriginal places if there is a deposit of archaeological material. They are sandstone overhangs were Aboriginal people sheltered or camped, had fire places, produced paintings or stencils, used local food resources or conducted burials.

Artefacts are commonly found in archaeological digs at these places.

Significant rock shelters are often found close to a fresh water supply.

Aboriginal people used ochre to tell their stories, to practice ceremonies and as medicine (help with digestion, as a source of iron to help with fatigue, to protect the skin from the elements, to treat insect bites and wounds).

Ochre is usually mined in quarries and pits and Aboriginal people continue to use it for art, performances (e.g. the Bangarra Dance Theatre ) and ceremony.

There are more than 400 recorded ochre pit mining sites across Australia. Most mines are open cut, and while most are quite small operations they can be up to 20 metres deep. [3]

To process ochre Aboriginal people use stone and wooden tools to extract rock particles or compressed clay. They then crush it and add water, saliva, blood and animal fat to form an emulsion that they can paint on rock, weapons, ceremonial objects and skin.

Open camp site

Open camp sites are places used by Aboriginal people out in the open, rather than in a rock shelter. Open camp sites were used over many generations and were close to useful resources such as fresh water or fish.

Camp sites are not easily to distinguish without knowledge. The soil consistency has changed over time which lets vegetation grow lower than in the surrounding area. The site might contain remnants of old fireplaces and implements.

Ceremonial grounds (Bora rings)

Bora rings or ceremonial grounds are usually two circles made of stone or moulded earth with an interconnecting pathway. Aboriginal people carried out important ceremonies and meetings within these grounds.

Rock engravings

Aboriginal rock engravings occur all over Australia. They depict animals, people, tools, implements and important cultural and spiritual figures. Engravings near salt water usually depict fish and whales, but also shields, kangaroos, people or footprints (called mundoes).

One of the largest concentrations of Aboriginal rock engravings in the world is found around the Sydney area .

Rock paintings, drawings and stencils

Where Aboriginal people where sheltering from the weather they sometimes left rock paintings depicting animals, implements, people or important cultural and spiritual figures.

They used white pipe clay, red and yellow ochre, gypsum and charcoal for their paintings or stencils. The sandstone absorbed these materials such that they survived hundreds of years.

Drawings and paintings are usually found on vertical or overhanging rock faces. Stencils were commonly made showing hands. The higher such a hand stencil was and the more of the lower arm it included the more important that person's status was.

Artefact scatter

Artefact scatters are places indicating an occupation site and may be found out in the open landscape or in the topsoil of a rock shelter.

Artefacts include stone and bone tools such as skinning and cutting tools, wood-working tools, axes, fish hooks or other implements.

Scatters provide valuable information about what Indigenous people ate.

Story: "They are not dead objects"

Aboriginal people today are re-engaging with artefacts. "They are not dead objects in museums but have a life and meaning in a contemporary context," explains Anthropologist Rosita Henry [4] .

Artefacts "link the past with the present," agrees Yirrganydji Elder and historian George Skeene [4] . "It gives an insight into what our ancestors were doing many years ago."

Skeene has not problems with German colonists who, during the late 19th century, were avid collectors of artefacts [4] .

"We feel that if they did not collect these items they would have been lost forever. I have no malice against the German collector."

"I feel that, in a way, he's done us a favour because I could never link the past with the present if he didn't collect these. And he kept them in good condition for more than 106 years."

Grinding grooves

Axes were made of hard but smooth river stones, firmly fixed to a wooden handle with locally made twine and glue. When the axe head stones did not naturally occur in the are they were traded from other places.

When Aboriginal people sharpened their axes, knives or other tools, they rubbed the tool up and back against a wetted softer rock surface like sandstone, until it was sharp. This left grinding grooves behind. Because Aboriginal people needed water to wet the rock surface grinding grooves are often found near water surfaces or on the lower slopes of hillsides.

Scarred trees

Aboriginal people scarred trees when they removed bark or wood to make canoes, shelters, shields or coolamons (a carrying container).

The tree was injured on one side only which allowed it to survive.

Due to development few Aboriginal scarred trees remain in urban areas.

In Archaeology of the Dreamtime Josephine Flood uses not only the latest archaeological evidence but also information from myths told by Aboriginal people.

More information is available on the Aboriginal Heritage website.

Rock Art of the Dreamtime , with numerous photographs, maps and illustrations, is appealing not only to Aboriginal custodians and rock art enthusiasts but also to academic archaeologists.

Australia's first all-Indigenous archaeologists' association

In the 1990s there was just one Aboriginal archaeologist. Twenty years on there were over 20 who in 2010 joined the Australian Indigenous Archaeologist's Association [5] .

Dave Johnston, an Aboriginal archaeologist who conceived the association, likes the fact that Aboriginal people are looking after Aboriginal history.

"Given that it's our own heritage that is being dealt with when communities, governments or other organisations engage archaeologists, it would be good to know more and more of our own people were qualified to do this work," he says [5] .

Having our own archaeologists' association is another important step for Indigenous self-determination and equality. We should never forget our past. It's one of any nation's greatest assets. — Dave Johnston, Aboriginal archaeologist [5]

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The best things to do and places to visit in Moscow, Russia

Updated On 14th October, 2021

While Moscow isn’t always at the top of everyone’s Europe bucket list , it’s certainly one of the best places to visit in Europe if you’re looking for a more alternative adventure! In this blog post I plan on sharing some of the free things to do in Moscow, as well as the best places to visit in Moscow, so that you can enjoy some of the best things to do in Russia! 

Moscow, the capital of Russia, sits in the European part of the country. It’s an incredibly beautiful city, which I personally found to be more beautiful than Saint Petersburg (which is often people’s preference). The capital is certainly a lot busier, and less laid back than Saint Petersburg , but it’s a much more colourful and vibrant city, full of stunning and unique architecture.

Visiting famous landmarks such as The Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, enjoying some of the green space in Gorky Park, watching a ballet in the Bolshoi Theatre… these are just a few reasons that you should visit Moscow! On top of that, because of visa restrictions (we’ll get onto that later), it’s also one of the most unique destinations in Europe. 

There is a common misconception that Moscow is a dangerous city, but now that I’ve visited, I don’t believe this to be true. I would say the same rules apply here as to other large cities: avoid walking in dark areas alone at night, keep an eye on your belongings on public transport, and be streetwise. There’s no reason to avoid visiting this energetic city and miss out on these amazing things to do in Moscow! 

It would take months if you wanted to truly explore Moscow because it’s a huge city, but I’m going to share some of my favourite things to do in Moscow and places to visit in Moscow so that you can prepare for your upcoming adventure! Even if you’re only there for a few days, you should be able to fit in these highlights from my trip. 

Other blog posts you might be interested in...

• The best things to do in St Petersburg
• A 2-week Norway road trip
• A complete guide to Helsinki
• A complete guide to Tallinn
• Europe: the ultimate travel guide
• The best capital cities to visit in Europe
• The best things to do in Europe: the ultimate Europe bucket list

Where is Moscow?

If you’re wondering ‘Where is Moscow, Russia?’ then you’ve come to the right place! Moscow in in west Russia, the European part, and it’s the capital city. 

How do you get to Moscow?

Getting a visa for moscow:.

To get into Russia, you need to get a visa. The processing time is approximately 20 days, and you’ll need to have your fingerprints taken at a visa centre in London , Edinburgh or Manchester. You can find out more about getting a visa for Russia here.  

Getting to Moscow:

Once you’ve got your visa, the easiest way to get to Moscow from the UK is by flying. Direct flights between London and Moscow take just under four hours, and with an airport layover you’re looking at a 6-7 hour trip. You can also fly in from many other major European and international cities. 

Top tip: Check out flights to and from Copenhagen on  Skyscanner here.

Check out how to pack a weekend away in a carry-on suitcase here.

16 best places to visit in Moscow...

1. st basil’s cathedral.

The most iconic building in Russia and one of the most iconic buildings in the world. St Basil’s Cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Moscow, if not the best! 

St Basil’s is situated on Red Square, where you’ll also find many other popular places to visit in Moscow. In my opinion this still stands out against them all. There’s something about the multi coloured domes against the Moscow skyline that I found quite spectacular. 

Although I’d already been in Russia for several days, it wasn’t until I was at this amazing piece of architecture that I really felt I was in Russia.

The cathedral was built by order of Ivan the Terrible, and apparently after the architect completed it, Ivan blinded him so that he could never build anything more beautiful. Whether or not this story is true, it certainly adds a bittersweet feeling as you stand admiring the beauty of St Basil’s Cathedral.

Inside is a museum displaying many historic items once used at the cathedral, which costs 700 rubles to enter. In my opinion it’s worth the entry fee, as simply seeing the ornate interior walls is a spectacle in itself.

2. The Kremlin

This historic fortress that sits on Red Square is probably the largest landmark and one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow. It’s the official residence of the President, although he doesn’t actually live there. It’s been rebuilt many times since it was first constructed in 1147 out of wood, before Ivan III the Great ordered it to be made from stone, which is the Kremlin you’ll recognise today. 

This place is huge, and there’s quite a lot to see. The first problem I had was finding where the entrance was. Even though I had a pre-booked ticket, I was then told I still had to visit the ticket office to exchange it for another ticket. I also needed my passport, so make sure you have yours if you plan to visit the Kremlin. After a lengthy queue I finally had a ticket I could use to enter the Kremlin, and had to go through security. The security here is thorough, so make sure you don’t take too much in with you. I had my pockets full, and it was a nightmare emptying them and explaining each item, before I was finally allowed in. Once inside you can pay for extra tickets to visit the various museums, however there’s also quite a lot to see simply on the grounds if you don’t want to spend too much. 

See more tips for travelling on a budget here. 

There’s so much to see here, including The Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower Complex, the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Armoury Chamber and Diamond Fund. There is also the Tsar Cannon (a huge artillery cannon), and the Tsar Bell. The Tsar Bell is the largest bell in the world. An incident with a fire and water being poured over the bell caused it to crack and for a slab to break off from it, which can now be seen propped up next to it.

As you walk around the grounds you’ll hear the sound of whistles. The guards patrolling the area will blow a whistle at anyone walking where they shouldn’t. Even if it’s just on the grass, or towards more restricted areas. This can sometimes be funny to watch, as often the tourists will be in a world of their own whilst a guard is blowing a whistle at them. Sometimes a guard will be stood face to face with a tourist angrily blowing their whistle before the tourist realises they need to get back onto the main path.

This is perhaps one of the more unusual places to visit in Moscow! Gum is a huge department store situated on Red Square. It’s an interesting department store to walk around, with several levels, although the shops inside are certainly quite pricey. It’s a beautiful building when it’s lit up at night, and it seems to fit in nicely amongst the other famous sights on Red Square. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything here, one of the best things to do in Moscow is to take a quick look inside, although bear in mind there are usually security checks before entering.

4. State Historical Museum

The large crimson building on Red Square is now the State Historical Museum. It was originally the first pharmacy in Russia, and later a University before finally becoming the museum it is today.

Unfortunately I didn’t go inside as my time was limited and there was so much else I wanted to see, but if you have the time I think it would be one of the best things to do in Moscow. There are items dating back to the 6th century, and maybe even further. There’s also a library inside storing many ancient manuscripts and the largest coin collection in Russia. 

5. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi means big in Russian, so it roughly translates to large theatre. The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the foremost ballet companies in the world. The exterior of the building is an impressive sight, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Moscow, and it’s certainly worth admiring from the outside. There are guided tours of the interior, but if you really want to experience the theatre, one of the best things to do in Moscow is to watch a ballet here.

I was torn between booking a seat, but the ballets were very expensive. I’d have liked to have seen “Swan Lake”, (as at least I may have recognised some of the music). Unfortunately there were no performances on the days I was in Moscow, so I decided to pass. But if I return to Russia, then watching a ballet will be on my list of things to do.

6. Sparrow Hills

If you want a good view of the city, then Sparrow Hills is one of the best places to visit in Moscow. It’s a bit of a trek outside of the centre, but if you have the time then it offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. There’s a viewing platform here which gives you fantastic panoramic views of Moscow.

Nearby you’ll see the magnificent Moscow State University building, which is one of the seven sisters of Moscow.

7. Seven Sisters

Whilst in Moscow, you’ll no doubt notice these magnificent soviet skyscrapers dotted around the city. At the time of construction they were the tallest buildings in Europe, Moscow State University being so until 1997. There are, as the name suggests, seven in total, which are: Hotel Ukraina, Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Apartments, the Kudrinskaya Square Building, the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya Hotel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moscow State University, and the Red Gates Administrative Building.

If you visit Sparrow Hills, then you’ll come across Moscow State University, but I’m certain as you explore the city, you’ll see more of these giants against the Moscow skyline. One of the best things to do in Moscow is to see if you can locate all seven as you wander round the city! 

8. Nikolskaya Street

The start of this street is found by Red Square. It’s one of the most prominent pedestrianised streets in Moscow, filled with shops, restaurants and bars, so one of the best places to visit in Moscow if you’re looking for a bite to eat or some souvenirs!

What makes this street extra special are the thousands of bright lights in the sky above. After dark it looks simply magical with the many colourful lights overhead as you walk beneath them. One of the best things to do in Moscow is to visit Nikolskaya Street after dark and see them for yourself. It almost feels like Christmas in London!

There is another street nearby which also features similar lights, “Kuznetskiy Most”, which is also quite beautiful, but I thought “Nikolskaya Street” was ever slightly more impressive.

9. Izmailovo Kremlin and Izmaylovskiy Bazar

Did you know that The Kremlin in Red Square is not the only Kremlin in Moscow? Kremlin actually means a type of fortress, so there are many in Russia.

The Izmailovo Kremlin is a fairly new addition to the city, having been built in 2007 as a cultural centre. With its multitude of colours and historic style, it has a real fairytale feel to it. There are several small museums here for you to explore, devoted to subjects such as Russian folk art, vodka and bread (yes, bread). Visiting these is definitely one of the more unique things to do in Moscow! 

It’s a little way out of the centre, but it’s an interesting place to visit in Moscow to see something a little bit different, and it won’t be as overcrowded with tourists. 

Next to the Izmailovo Kremlin is the best market in Moscow for souvenirs. You’ll find good and poor quality items, but you’ll certainly pick up a bargain if you take your time and haggle for a good price. Many of the items here you’ll get for half the price you would in souvenir shops in the city centre. It’s here that I picked up several Matryoshka dolls for a very good price. I think I’d have paid more than double, or possibly even triple if I’d have bought them elsewhere.

10. Izmailovsky Park

Not too far from Izmailovo Kremlin you’ll find this huge park, one of the prettiest places to visit in Moscow. It’s easy to get lost here, so try to make sure you keep track of where you entered if you plan to go back the same way. There’s a lot to see in this park, a round pond, ferris wheel, playgrounds and sports grounds, shooting galleries, cinemas and a skate park.

There are often festivals, concerts and exhibitions at the park, on top of firework displays and dance parties.

The main reason I chose to visit the park was to find the painted trees. A local artist “Yevgenia Khlynina” has been painting on trees in this park, and one of the best things to do in Moscow is to explore the park looking for them. One of the most famous pieces of hers is the “Hedgehog in the Fog” from a famous soviet cartoon.

11. Gorky Park

The most famous park in Moscow is named after the writer “Maxim Gorky”. Although it’s likely you’ve heard it mentioned in the song “Wind of Change” by “The Scorpions”. 

There’s lots to do and see in the park with sports facilities and exhibitions. During the summer months this is one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for things to do in Moscow; there are often open air concerts and an open air cinema. There are many statues and sculptures in the park, including a small sculpture park area which features many interesting pieces.

One piece of advice: don’t visit Gorky Park or any other parks on 2nd August if you’re in Russia. 2nd August is Paratrooper day, which usually encourages a lot of drinking in the park, which is not always very welcoming.

12. Arbat Street

One of the oldest and busiest streets in Moscow, and the most famous pedestrian street in the city. Arbat is one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow. There are several shops including many dedicated to souvenirs, but although these will have a good range of goods, they will be quite expensive . You may see street performers and buskers, and there are often poets reciting famous works, if not their own works.

It’s within walking distance from the Kremlin, which should only take around 10 minutes.

There are actually two streets with this name, Old Arbat Street and New Arbat Street. Old Arbat Street is where you’ll find the pedestrianised area. New Arbat Street is a separate street which runs alongside a main road, filled with many bars and restaurants.

13. Metro station art

The best way to get around Moscow is by using the metro, and the metro is a tourist attraction in itself.

Although I obviously didn’t visit every metro station, I believe that every single station is unique in its own beautiful way. Many of the stations I passed through were impressive, quirky or simply jaw dropping. You’ll more than likely pass through many of them on the way to other sights, but I’d recommend the following:  Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Teatralnaya, Arbatskaya, Prospekt Mira and Ploschad Revolutsii (be sure to pet the dog statue for good luck).

There are of course many others for you to explore, but these are the ones I considered to be some of the most impressive places to visit in Moscow (even if they’re only metro stations!).

VDNKh is an exhibition centre with many monuments and museums. Now that it’s combined with the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park, one of the best things to do in Moscow is to spend the day at this recreational centre enjoying a mix of nature and culture. The most popular museum in the complex which you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Moscow is the Museum of Cosmonautics.

15. Lenin's Mausoleum

Despite requesting to be buried with his mum in St Petersburg, it is at the foot of the Kremlin on Red Sqaure that you will find Lenin’s Mausoleum, where Vladimir Ilych Lenin has been frozen in time since 1924. It’s only open for a few hours a few times per week. Photography is not allowed, and you should line up on the western corner of the square (near Alexander Garden) to wait you turn to see the embalmed body. 

16. Novodevichy Convent

Novodevichy Convent, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Moscow. Located south west of the centre you’ll find this stunning monastery. Inside you’ll find a cathedral and several churches, surrounded by high walls and 12 towers.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Moscow?

What about the best things to do in Moscow? Anything you’d add?

Love as always and happy adventuring…

I’m Spike! Solo traveller, cultural explorer and world adventurer! With 57 countries under my belt, I live and breathe travel. I never plan to stop exploring new destinations and experiencing new cultures.

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I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on November 3, 2023

The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. Visitors to Moscow come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself.

A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lie side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural tourist attractions, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries.

Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

See also: Where to Stay in Moscow

17. Tsaritsyno Palace

Once the summer residence of Catherine the Great, the stunning Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum-reserve. The architecture is magnificent and there is a lovely park surrounding it for visitors to explore.

Located in the south of Moscow, the palace was commissioned in 1775 and recent renovations mean its lavish interior looks better than ever before with its elegant halls and beautiful staircases.

The exhibits on display look at the life of the empress as well as the history of Tsaritsyno itself. The huge palace grounds are also home to some other delightful buildings with the elegant opera house and wonderful brickwork of the Small Palace being particularly impressive to gaze upon.

Starting out in 1935 as the ‘All-Union Agricultural Exhibition’, VDNKh has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines.

The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins.

With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.

15. Kremlin Armoury

One of the oldest museums in the city, the Kremlin Armoury has a wealth of treasures; highlights include the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, the historic Cap of Monomakh and the stunning Imperial Crown of Russia which often has a crowd of tourists around it, jostling to take a photo.

Once the royal armory, there are loads of fascinating objects on display. Perusing the many sabers, jewelry, armor and more is as interesting as it is educational and entertaining and the swords are so finely crafted that you’ll almost wish you could pick up one and wield if yourself.

Established in 1851, the museum is situated in the Moscow Kremlin.

14. GUM Department Store

Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square.

With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada.

The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.

13. Moscow Metro

It’s not often that public transport looks like a work of art. So many stops on the Moscow Metro will astound visitors with their beauty and elegance.

Decked in marble and with frescoes covering the walls, the stations are amazing to gaze upon and are part of one of the longest metro systems in the world, with the first stations opened in 1935.

Using the metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around Moscow and braving the crowds of commuters is well worth it for the beauty all around you.

12. Arbat Street

An elegant yet lively street, Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics.

A historic place, it is down Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin.

Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.

11. Novodevichy Convent

Drenched in history, the Novodevichy Convent is located in a striking building that was once a fortress. This captivating place is well worth visiting when in Moscow.

Founded in 1524, the convent houses four cathedrals; Smolensk Cathedral is the undoubted highlight due to its delightful 16th-century frescoes.

Wandering around the grounds is like stepping back in time. The Novodevichy Cemetery is where many famous leaders of the Soviet Union are buried, such as Yeltsin and Khrushchev.

10. Pushkin Museum

Despite its name, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring.

Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.

Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.

9. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox cathedral is located on the banks of the Moskva River, just a stone’s throw away from the Kremlin.

The church as it stands today was consecrated in 2000, as the original church that stood here was destroyed on the command of Josef Stalin in 1931 due to the anti-religious campaign.

With its delightful golden dome, spires and dazzling white facades, the Christ the Savior Cathedral is stunning. The interior is just as captivating to wander around, with its beautifully tiled floors and impressive altar.

8. Lenin Mausoleum

Opened to the public in 1924, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow. The red granite structure is located at the heart of the city in Red Square.

Lenin’s embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus; it is a somewhat eerie experience walking past the former leader of the Soviet Union but is well worth doing as you understandably can’t do it anywhere else in the world.

After visiting the mausoleum, head to the Kremlin wall right next to it for more graves of important communist figures such as Stalin and Brezhnev.

7. Tretyakov Gallery

Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display.

Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognise despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art.

An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.

6. Kolomenskoye

Once a royal estate, Kolomenskoye is now a museum-reserve and lies a few kilometers outside of the city center. A captivating place to visit, there is a plethora of history on show and the site overlooks the Moskva River.

Consisting of four historical sites, there are extensive gardens for visitors to explore, as well as loads of interesting old buildings, the former village of Kolomenskoye itself and the impressive Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich – once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries.

Among the many stunning sights, it is the brilliantly white Ascension Church that is the undoubted highlight – dating back to 1532.

5. Gorky Park

Lying alongside the Moskva River, the huge Gorky Park is a lovely place to visit. Its extensive gardens are home to numerous cultural institutions and visitors should definitely check out the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and while the eclectic exhibits may not always feature such incredible sights as a balloon-covered rider on a zebra; they certainly always succeed in pushing back the boundaries of art.

Pop-up exhibitions and festivals can be found from time to time in the park itself and there is an open-air theatre and numerous eateries alongside a plethora of leisure activities.

Whether it’s cycling, table tennis or yoga that you are after or beach volleyball and rowing, Gorky Park certainly has it. In winter, there is a huge ice rink for visitors to enjoy.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the main theater in the country. The amazing opera and ballet performances it has put on over the centuries go a long way in explaining Russia’s rich history of performing arts.

While the Bolshoi Ballet Company was established in 1776, the theater itself was opened in 1825. The glittering, six-tier auditorium is lavishly and decadently decorated; it is a fitting setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage.

Spending a night watching a performance of such classics as The Nutcracker or Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience and the beauty all around you only adds to the sense of occasion.

3. Moscow Kremlin

This famously fortified complex is remarkably home to five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. The Kremlin serves as the residence for the country’s president. It has been used as a fort, and this fact is made clear by its sheer size. The Kremlin’s outer walls were built in the late 1400s.

Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan the Great, the Kremlin became the center of a unified Russian state, and was extensively remodeled. Three of the Kremlin’s cathedrals date to his reign that lasted from 1462-1505. The Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were also constructed during this time. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was built in 1508. It is the tallest tower at the Kremlin with a height of 266 feet (81 meters).

Joseph Stalin removed many of the relics from the tsarist regimes. However, the Tsar Bell, the world’s largest bell, and the Tsar Cannon, the largest bombard by caliber in the world, are among the remaining items from that era. The Kremlin Armory is one of Moscow’s oldest museums as it was established more than 200 years ago. Its diamond collection is impressive.

The Kremlin’s gardens – Taynitsky, Grand Kremlin Public and Alexander – are beautiful. The Kremlin has also served as the religious center of the country, and there is a tremendous number of preserved churches and cathedrals here. The collections contained within the museums include more than 60,000 historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Those who enjoy the performing arts will want to consider attending a ballet or concert at the State Kremlin Palace. Completed in 1961, it is the only modern building in the Kremlin.

2. Red Square

Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks.

Drenched in history, the huge square is home to incredible sights such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, among others. Consequently, it is not to be missed when in Moscow as it really is home to the city’s most stunning monuments.

It is here that many important moments in Russian history took place; the former marketplace has hosted everything from Tsar’s coronations and public ceremonies to rock concerts and Soviet military parades. Wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer.

1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia. No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral’s construction in the mid-16th century, and legend holds that Ivan put out the architect’s eyes so that he would be unable to build another cathedral more glorious than St. Basil’s. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. For various reasons, both Napoleon and Stalin wanted to destroy the cathedral but fortunately did not succeed.

Known for its various colors, shapes and geometric patterns, St. Basil’s Cathedral houses nine different chapels that are all connected by a winding labyrinth of corridors and stairways. On the lower floor, St. Basil’s Chapel contains a silver casket bearing the body of St. Basil the Blessed.

Throughout the cathedral are many beautiful murals, frescoes, wooden icons and other art works and artifacts. Outside the cathedral is a lovely garden with the bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied an all-volunteer Russian army against Polish invaders during a period of the late 16th century known as the Times of Troubles.

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Top 10 places for a day trip from Moscow

• #Russian History
• #Special Interest
• #Suburbs of Moscow

Moscow offers tourists many great sights to see, but if you ask locals, they will tell you that Moscow is not all there is to Russia, so it’s worth getting away sometimes. Without exploring further, you miss something of the Russian unique character. If you wonder what to visit near Moscow, we recommend you 10 places where a tourist can go for a refreshing recreation, new impressions, and acquaintance with Russian history and culture.

01 Sergiyev Posad

Sergiyev Posad is one of the most beautiful towns located around Moscow. It’s not only famous for its monastery, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, but also for the fact that it’s the only town in the Moscow Region that is included in the Golden Ring of Russian cities. Its cities and towns influenced the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church. But the main thing which one should visit Sergiyev Posad is the Lavra for sure. You may spend there all day, walking around and enjoying the sense of its power and strength. You absolutely have to buy some honey cakes as souvenirs for friends and feed Lavra’s pigeons when entering the monastery. Besides, you may visit Sergiyev Posad State History and Art Museum-Reserve, which has quite an impressive collection, take a look at the displays in the National Museum of Toys, and taste truly Russian food in local cafes and restaurants.

You can reach Sergiyev Posad by suburban electric train, by bus, or by car. The electric train departs from the Yaroslavsky rain terminal every thirty minutes, and the trip lasts for an hour and a half. You may take a bus near the ‘VDNKh’ metro station, and you’ll be in Sergiyev Posad in an hour and a half at least and in two hours at most. Your car will take you there in an hour and a half at most, too. You should drive the Yaroslavskoye highway. 

If you want to look at a city that combines hi-tech and historical past, you should absolutely visit Kolomna. It is one of the most famous ancient cities in Russia, a beautiful port on the Oka River. Kolomna has its own Kremlin, which is made of red brick, like the Moscow Kremlin. Inside it, you may find many monasteries and churches, including the one in which Dmitry of the Don, Prince of Moscow, and Grand Prince of Vladimir, had his wedding to the Grand Duchess of Muscovy Eudoxia of Moscow. There is still a reserved residential area which is called Posad, right in the Kremlin territory. The buildings date back to merchants’ times. There are some interesting churches, too. In 2006, the Kolomna Speed Skating Center, known as the Kometa Ice Rink, was opened. Its futuristic look contrast the picturesque views of the ancient Kolomna Kremlin and its beautiful churches.

The best way to reach Kolomna is an electric train that departs from the Kazansky rail terminal. The trip lasts for two and a half, or one hour and forty minutes by the Ryazansky express. You can also choose a bus from the Vykhino metro station (1.4 to 4 hrs due to traffic jams) or a car.

03 Shakhmatovo

Shakhmatovo was a manor of the well-known Russian lyrical poet Alexander Blok. His grandfather Andrey Nikolaevich Beketov bought it, and young Blok used to spend it there every summer. Later, he moved there with his wife Lyubov Mendeleeva, who was the daughter of the famous chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. Blok’s grandfather decided to buy Shakhmatovo because of its picturesque views. They are really very nice, and the better time to visit this place is spring and summer. According to his own project, Blok’s mansion is a wooden house built by the poet but burnt by peasants in 1921. It was rebuilt in 2001, and since that time, it often holds big events and excursions. There is also a stable in Shakhmatovo territory, and everyone interested may ride a horse, or rent a bicycle in the summertime, or ski in wintertime.

Shakhmatovo can be reached by car because other options combine train departs from the Leningradsky rail terminal, then changes to bus till the Tarakanovo manor, then goes by foot, or bus from the Vodny stadion metro station, and then also by foot. Travel time is 1.4 hrs.

04 Zakharovo

It is a manor located in the Odintsovo District of the Moscow Region, where everybody interested may learn more about the greatest Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. In 1804, Zakharova was bought by his grandmother Mariya Alexeevna Gannibal, and young Pushkin was brought here every summer from 1805 through to 1810. He recalled Zakharovo in his poems as well. Now, the house which Pushkin visited as a child doesn’t exist anymore, but it was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century on the former basis. Now it is a quiet and nice place with a museum dedicated to the famous poet's childhood, where one may spend a day enjoying the spirit of the time when young Pushkin ran across manor’s paths. From that time, linden park, approach alleys, and pond were saved. Not very far away from Zakharovo, another place connected to Pushkin’s name is located. It’s called Bolshiye Vyazyomy, and there the young Pushkin’s brother Nikolenka was buried after his death at the age of six.

The best way to go there is by train, which departs from the Belorussky rail terminal and goes to Zvenigorod. You should leave at the Zakharovo station. Travel time is an hour and a half.

05 Borodino

Borodino is truly a sacred place for all those who honor the great Russian past. The Borodino Battlefield held the most important fighting during the Patriotic War of 1812. This place was made a museum area in 1839, just after 27 years after the battle. More than two thousand memorable things are stored in the museum, including some monuments of military honor, architectural objects dated back to the 19th and 20th centuries, and fortification facilities. Besides, there is also an exhibition dedicated to the famous novel ‘War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, who visited Borodino in person and described this battle in his book. Every year, reconstruction events occur in Borodino, which is considered the best for visiting. But if you want to feel the spirit of the battle past, it’s better to visit it in more quiet time.

To go there, you should take a train from the Belorussky rail terminal, leave in Mozhaysk, and then change to the bus. The whole travel time is about 2 hrs.

06 Melikhovo

Melikhovo is considered one of the most important museums dedicated to Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, one of the brightest Russian writers and playwrights. Chekhov had been living in Melikhovo from March 1892 until August 1899 with his parents and close relatives. Melikhovo is where he wrote his plays “Uncle Vanya” and “The Seagull.” He sold this manor before going to the Crimea, and it became vague after the revolution. But in 1939, it was decided to establish a museum based on Chekhov’s place of living. Anton Chekhov’s sister Maria and his nephew initiated the process, and the museum opened its doors in 1941. Now Melikhovo shows the path of Chekhov not only as a writer but as a doctor and public figure as well. Some paintings of famous artists such as Isaac Levitan and Vasily Polenov, who were Chekhov’s friends, are being stored. It’s a nice place to visit to learn more about Chekov’s life and work.

The best way to reach Melikhovo is by bus, which departs from the Yuzhnaya metro station, and goes to Protvino, Obolensk, or Serpukhov, or by the direct 365 bus. Also, you may choose an electric train from the Kursky rail terminal. Travel time is 1,5 hrs.

07 Abramtsevo

This is another manor connected to the lives of important Russian people — not only writers but also artists. Abramtsevo, located close to Sergiev Posad, was a property of Sergey Aksakov, a writer and a Slavophiles, and later of Savva Mamontov, a well-known patron of the arts. Abramtsevo used to be visited by writers Ivan Turgenev and Nikolay Gogol, poet Fyodor Tyutchev, and such artists as Isaac Levitan, Vasily Polenov, and Mikhail Vrubel, and by the great Russian singer Fyodor Shalyapin as well. The exhibition in the museum is dedicated to famous Abramtsevo owners and guests. It was made a museum in 1917, and its first curator was Alexandra Mamontova, Savva Mamontov’s daughter. The main sightseeing view is a wooden building made in the 18th century and saved in Savva Mamontov's form in the 19th century. There are also some bright buildings such as hut pavilion or hut bath-house. You have to remember that the main manor house may be visited only with an excursion group on the weekend.

Electric train to Abramtsevo departs from the Yaroslavsky rail terminal and goes to Sergiyev Posad or Aleksandrov. You may reach Abramtsevo by bus as well. Travel time is an hour and a half.

08 Yasnaya Polyana

Yasnaya Polyana is known as a place of residence of the famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. He was born there, wrote his novels ‘War and Peace’ and ‘Anna Karenina,’ died and is buried. He’d been living in this manor for fifty years. Yasnaya Polyana is located in the Tula Region, 200 km from Moscow to the south. This manor consists of many interesting and significant objects. For example, the interior of the main house where Tolstoy lived is being kept like it was in 1910 — it was the last year for the writer. All things in the house are considered to be personal belongings of Tolstoy and his family. Besides the main house, the Yasnaya Polyana ensemble includes the so-called Volkonsky house — the house of Tolstoy’s grandfather, the Kuzminskiye wing, which is a part of the oldest house where Tolstoy was born, now non-existent, the birch alley made by Sofya Andreevna, Leo Tolstoy’s wife, stable, ponds, and favorite Tolstoy’s bench. Leo Tolstoy’s tomb is located close to the ravine's edge — it’s where he wanted to be buried.

The whole travel time to Yasnaya Polyana is about 4 hrs as long as it’s located near Tula. It can be reached by train, or by car. First, you should go to Tula by train from the Kursky rail terminal or by bus from the Tsaritsyno, Domodedovskaya, Prazhskaya, or Ulitsa Akademika Yangelya metro stations, and then change to bus, or by trolley bus for Yasnaya Polyana.

09 Polotnyany Zavod

This place which title can be translated into Russian as ‘linen factory,’ is known for its connection to the Goncharov family, from which Natalia Goncharova, Alexander Pushkin’s wife, originated. The real linen factory was built on the bank of the Sukhodrev River in the Kaluga Region in 1718 by Peter the Great order. Goncharov, Natalia’s great grandfather, was one of the companions who participated in the factory’s development. Every companion built his own manor close to the factory’s building, and even for those times, it was quite an uncommon situation. Polotnyany Zavod was visited by the empress Catherine the Great, the Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, and Nikolay Vasilievich Gogol. In 1999, when everybody celebrated the bicentennial of Alexander Pushkin, Polotnyany Zavod was made a museum, and now it welcomes many guests who come to see dramatized excursions and to learn more about Pushkin times. The poet himself visited this place two times, in 1830 and 1834. Polotnyany Zavod has the most picturesque panoramic view in the Kaluga Region.

To go to Polotnyany Zavod, you should take a bus from the bus station near the Tyoply Stan metro station, and go to Kondorovo. It takes a little more than three hours.

Tarus is just another little town in Kaluga Region, which is considered to be typical Russian. It’s located on the left bank of the Oka River and has really magnificent views. It feels like time stands still there. Tarusa managed to preserve the best from the past, and even now, it consists mostly of one-storeyed houses made of wood or stone. They say it’s because Tarusa residents declined railroad construction. This town became popular among Russian intellectuals at the beginning of the 20th century when famous artist Vasily Polenov discovered it and told about Tarusa to anyone in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Tarusa is known to be a hometown for Russian writer Marina Tsvetaeva, whose family spent summertime there. Tsvetaeva museum is a museum every guest of Tarusa should visit for sure. Besides, Konstantin Paustovsky, another famous Russian writer, lived there till his death and was buried in Tarusa. The absolutely must-do in Tarusa is to walk along the embankment of the Oka River.

The best way to reach Tarusa is by direct bus which departs from the bus station near the ‘Tyoply Stan’ metro station. Travel time is about two hours.

• Baikal Lake read
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• The Altai Mountains read
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• 1. Sergiyev Posad
• 3. Shakhmatovo
• 4. Zakharovo
• 5. Borodino
• 6. Melikhovo
• 7. Abramtsevo
• 8. Yasnaya Polyana
• 9. Polotnyany Zavod

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Jellurgal Cultural Tour, Burleigh Heads, Queensland © Chris Proud, Tourism and Events Queensland

Experience Aboriginal culture in Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Uncover the history and culture of this beautiful region through the eyes of its traditional custodians.

By Allie Metz

You don’t have to visit the outback to discover Australia’s Aboriginal culture. It thrives in all major cities, on land where Indigenous peoples have lived for tens of thousands of years. Listen to Dreamtime stories as you learn about their traditional ways of life and how their people have adapted to the changing landscape of their custodial lands.

Spirits of the Red Sand

Spirits of the Red Sand, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Where : Beenleigh, about 45 minutes from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Set in an authentic pre-European Aboriginal village, Spirits of the Red Sand is an immersive cultural and theatrical experience. By day, guests can participate in all aspects of Aboriginal life, including tasting bush tucker, boomerang painting and listening to Dreamtime stories. In the evening, enjoy a three-course dinner as you watch a masterpiece of Aboriginal storytelling. Through traditional song, dance, culture and community, witness the experience of three Aboriginal brothers and their families as they are confronted by the arrival of the first Europeans. The two ways of living collide and audiences will be captivated by this unforgettable story.

BlackCard Cultural Tours

 BlackCard Cultural Tours, Brisbane, Queensland © Telan Lindsey Photography/BlackCard Cultural Tours

Where : Brisbane city centre

Walk in the footsteps of the ancestors of the Turrbal people as you explore Meeanjin (Brisbane City) with an Aboriginal guide. Learn about Aboriginal art in the city, hear ancient knowledge passed through generations and watch meaningful cultural performances. BlackCard Cultural Tours gives you the opportunity to go beneath the modern city and discover a truly authentic, warm and culturally inclusive welcome to Brisbane.

Quandamooka Coast

Quandamooka Dancers, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Come in August to experience the Quandamooka Festival which features a program of live music, dance, art and cultural workshops.

Where : North Stradbroke Island, a 25-minute ferry from Cleveland near Brisbane

Join Quandamooka Coast on Australia’s only Indigenous-operated whale watching cruise. Tours operate from June to September in the waters off Mulgumpin ( Moreton Island ) and Minjerribah ( North Stradbroke Island ) and guides provide cultural and scientific knowledge about the whales and their migration. If you prefer to stay on dry land, join a cultural walk to identify bush tucker and medicinal plants and hear traditional Creation stories. You will gain a first-hand understanding of how the Aboriginal people of Minjerribah have lived for at least 25,000 years.

Birrunga Gallery and Dining

Birrunga Gallery & Dining, Brisbane, Queensland © Jesse Lindemann, Tourism and Events Queensland

Art gallery, performance space, café venue and a licensed wine bar, Birrunga Gallery and Dining is the only Indigenous-owned and operated cultural hub in Brisbane. The gallery supports First Nations artists, and visitors can view the art while relaxing in the café and enjoying a modern meal with bush tucker influences. The gallery also hosts their First Nations Artisan Market on the second Saturday of every month where visitors can purchase unique wares by local artists.

Brisbane's best museums, galleries and theatres

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

 Jellurgal Cultural Tour at Burleigh Heads, Queensland © Chris Proud, Tourism and Events Queensland

Where : Burleigh Heads, about 20 minutes from the Gold Coast

Burleigh Heads is a culturally significant area for the local Yugambeh people, having once been a feasting ground for Indigenous travellers passing through the region.  Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre offers guided walks of the local area with a focus on Aboriginal history and culture on the Gold Coast. You’ll hear the Dreamtime stories of Jellurgal (Burleigh Heads) as you stroll the picturesque beachside walkway and discover culturally significant sites. Learn about traditional life in the area, including where to find bush tucker and the ecological practices employed by the Yugambeh-speaking people for thousands of years. The centre also operates an art gallery showcasing works from local Aboriginal artists.

Tweed Eco Cruises

Tweed Eco Cruises, New South Wales © Tweed Eco Cruises 

Where : Tweed heads, about 40 minutes from the Gold Coast

For a chance to forage your own food, join Yugambeh Aboriginal Tribe Member Luther Cora as he retraces the footsteps of his ancestral people through the Terranora Lakes mangrove system in search of mud crab. On this unique tour , you will learn about traditional hunting methods and try your hand at using a bamboo spear to catch mudcrabs, stingrays and fish. The morning’s catch will be cooked on an open fire as your guides tell Yugambeh stories and play the didgeridoo. The tour also explores modern commercial fishing practices as you cruise through oyster leases, taste freshly shucked oysters and try yabbie pumping and fishing.

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25 Places to Visit in Moscow you Can’t Miss

25 Places to Visit in Moscow

Do you know what the most populous city in Europe is? Most people wouldn’t guess that it is actually Moscow. There are approximately 13 million people in the Moscow metro area, which amounts to approximately 1/10th of all Russians.

This former capitol of the Soviet Union is still the political and financial center of Russia. Just because it is a current business and government city, in no way means that it is boring and not worth a visit. Assuming the political tensions get solved, Moscow is a fascinating city you need to visit.

While lots of people can’t explain the nuances of Russian architecture, most can spot and appreciate it immediately. One of the best ways to see the historic sites is by taking a boat tour down the Moskva River that meanders through the city.

Overall, navigating the city isn’t difficult as there is phenomenal and cheap public transportation (roughly 30 rubles/35 cents per ride). You can also use a cheap Uber on the three ring roads that circle the city at various distances from the center.

Still wondering why you should visit this historic masterpiece of a city? Read on to see the top 25 things you need to see in Moscow.

The House with Animals

This former church is famous for the terracotta reliefs of animals that adorn the front of the building. It is a favorite of locals, and famous around the world. It was built in approximately 1900.

Resurrection Gate or Iberian Gate and Chapel

The Resurrection Gate is now one of the most common ways to enter Red Square. This gate is also the only standing part of the wall that was the entrance to to Kitai-Gorod, or Moscow’s historic central business district.

Book your tour: Moscow Kremlin Armory Chamber Entrance Ticket

St. Basils Cathedral

Probably the most famous of the Red Square attractions is St. Basil’s Cathedral. I don’t know if the legend is true or not, but supposedly Tsar Ivan IV poked the eyes of the architect out after completing it so nothing as pretty could be made again. What an awful boss!

Book your tour: Moscow: Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square Private Tour

Book your tour: St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square: Private Tour and Ticket

The State Historical Museum

If you are like me then you can’t help but find all the twists and turns of Russian history fascinating. The State Historical Museum at Red Square is a fantastic place to learn and study the Russian Relics.

Book your tour: Kremlin, Red Square, and Metro Tour with Pick-Up

Moscow River Cruise

The Moskva River cuts directly through the heart of Moscow. Want to see it all but rest your feet? One of the best things to do in Moscow at night is float along on a dinner cruise . The lights of the city are so beautiful. Of course, dinner in included.

Book your tour: Night lights Moscow Cruise (with Dinner option)

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

This is one of the most unique things to do in Moscow. If you know that many American video games paint the Russians as the bad guys, then it’s probably not surprising to learn that you can find an entirely different variety of video games in Russia. This isn’t a recent phenomenon; even historically the video games were different. If you are a video game buff then this stop is for you!

Main Church of the Armed Forces in Park Patriot near Kubinka

This church attempts to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as Russian military leader. Yes, it’s an awkward amalgamation. It caused quite a controversy when there were plans to create murals of Vladimir Putin and Joseph Stalin to go along with the ones of Jesus Christ (those plans were scrapped).

Bunker 42 (Cold War Museum)

Tunnel at Bunker-42, anti-nuclear underground facility built in 1956 as command post of strategic nuclear forces of Soviet Union.

Americans weren’t the only ones afraid during the Cold War! You can now discover the most secret and secure Bunker of the USSR, Bunker 42. Also known as the Cold War Museum . This former military communication center is now a museum. I recommend this tour that will take you on a private two hour visit of Bunker 42.

If you aren’t interested in a guided tour you can book your tickets in advance here.

Get your tickets: Bunker 42 Admission Ticket and Cold War Tour

Tank Excursion and Bazooka Shooting in Moscow

For real – you can book this tour and actually ride in a tank and shoot off military grade weapons. While that’s not my cup of tea, I know tons of guys would absolutely love to shoot a bazooka!

Book your tour here .

Dormition Cathedral

This is another Russian Orthodox cathedral that is located inside the Moscow Kremlin. It is another famous landmark of Moscow. The inside is decorated with ancient frescoes.

The Cathedral of the icon of the Mother of God “Sign”

This cathedral is located in Zaryadye Park (adjacent to Red Square). It is also on the Moskva River. The Cathedral of the icon of the Mother of God “Sign” previously was a monastery.

Komsomolskaya Metro station 

So many of the metro stations are breathtaking works of art. The idea was to create something beautiful that all the regular people could enjoy, or if you are more cynical you could say it was to attempt to show off how well they were doing.

Book your tour: Moscow: Small Group Metro Tour

The Round houses at Dovzhenko Stree t

The Round houses at Dovzhenko Street look super cool and futuristic, except like many communist projects didn’t actually work that well. They were supposed to be something new and different from the standard “Soviet Blocks.”

There are a number of problems with this design. Supposedly the acoustics are awful making the apartments perpetually noisy. The inner circle becomes a wind chamber even when it’s not that windy. My favorite weakness is that the trapezoid shape of apartments is hard to decorate and even harder to do maintenance on.

Izmailovo District and Izmailovo Kremlin

This area has to be one of the coolest places to visit in Moscow. It features a park in the middle of Moscow that is over 3x the size of New York City’s Central Park. The Kremlin in Izmailovo is a complex located in the Eastern Administrative District of Moscow that is known as the center of culture and entertainment. The wooden buildings are in Russian architecture of the XVI-XVII centuries (not original).

Izmailovo Kremlin on Google Maps .

Tretyakov Gallery

For those that appreciate fine art this is where you have to go. The State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow Russia is the best collection of Russian fine art in the world. The museum previously hosted worldwide chess tournaments (I can’t help be think of the Queen’s Gambit).

Book your tickets in advance here. Tickets cost about $13 per person.

Kolomenskoe Estate

This reconstruction of a former royal estate is just a few miles southeast of the Moscow city center. Supposedly really detailed historical plans survived, so the reconstruction and current museum is incredibly authentic. It was completed in 2010.

Old buildings of Arbat

Arbat is an old street, and was previously the “nicest place to live in Moscow. Even though it fell into disrepair, it’s location, it’s historical buildings, and the fact that it is a pedestrian street are quickly making it a top place to live again.

The Melnikov House

Located on Arbat street, the Famous house of architect Melnikov designed this house (and Lenin’s sarcophagus). Melnikov designed it at a time when private ownership was outlawed, but got around this restriction by saying it was an experimental design to maximize space. Even though others weren’t built, he was able to keep it.

The New Maiden Convent

The New Maiden Convent, built was built to resemble a mini-Kremlin. It stands out to me because this “convent” was the place where women who were no longer welcome in the royal court were banished to.

Monument to the Conquerors of Space at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in the Cosmopark

The Americans may have made it to the moon first, but the Russian cosmonauts were first in a number of other achievements. This gigantic obelisk pays homage to their accomplishments.

Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve

This royal estate was founded by Catherine the Great. She was Russia’s longest serving female leader. It is now a gorgeous museum!

Stalinist Skyscraper tour

This group of seven skyscrapers are called the Seven Sisters. They were all made in the Stalinist style, and one was previously the tallest building in Europe. If you want to tour them all while learning about their history book here .

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

It’s ironic that a country that was so anti-religion for so long has so many great churches. The Cathedral for Christ the Savior was made to thank Jesus for saving Russia. If you are interested in visiting this and so many other cathedrals in Moscow I recommend this tour that will take you to The Cathedral of Christ the Savior many other popular churches in Moscow.

Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

This church on Red Square is reconstruction of what was previously there but ordered to be destroy by Joseph Stalin. It is a travesty thinking of all the beautiful things that Stalin destroyed to attempt to implement his vision.

Zaryade Park

Zaryadye Park is one of the main tourist attractions in Moscow. It is located directly next to the Kremlin, and offers truly amazing views. It is also famous for its “floating bridge” and the fact that there are so many unique features underneath it.

Church of Sign of Blessed Virgin in Dubrovitsy Znamenskaya

The Church of the Theotokos of the Sign (Dubrovitsy), or The Church of the Holy Sign of the Mother of God is located in a village amed Dubrovitsy about 20 miles south of Moscow. It is another Russian Orthodox church, but what makes this one unique is that we aren’t 100% sure who made it, or why is has a style that is completely different than other churches of the time.

The Church of Nicholas The Wonderworker

I love the unique style of the Russian Orthodox churches in Moscow. The golden onion domes stand out across the globe. This church dates back to 1657, though it has been partially destroyed a few times since then.

Moscow University

Moscow University is one of the Seven Sisters that are the “Stalin Skyscrapers.” Previously it was the tallest building in Europe. Though it has lost that title, it is still the tallest “educational building” in the world.

So what do you think? Next trip to Moscow?

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