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An Aboriginal walking tour in Melbourne, on Kulin Country

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: Aboriginal Heritage Walk

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Summary

An Aboriginal walking tour in Melbourne means the First Peoples-led Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens or the Koorie Heritage Trust's river walk from Federation Square.

Walk essentials

  • Gardens walk 1.5 hrs from 10:45am1
  • Trust walk from 1pm, AUD 40 adult2
  • Free City walk of Aboriginal sites3

Open 54 stops

The laneways, arcades and stories on one map

Tap a route first, then a pin or stop, for its note and Google Maps.

Map of Aboriginal places in central Melbourne: Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Wilam, William Barak Bridge, Parliament House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Museum

  1. A First Peoples arts centre founded in 1985, open daily from 10am.

    Google Maps

  2. The river camp installation: an eel path, message sticks and ancestor stones by the river.

    Google Maps

  3. Named after a Wurundjeri elder; voices play as you walk across.

    Google Maps

  4. Where people gathered from the 1890s to the 1960s to hear Aboriginal speakers.

    Google Maps

  5. A traditional Kulin meeting place; a paving inlay reproduces a William Barak painting.

    Google Maps

  6. A 31-storey building whose balconies form a portrait of William Barak.

    Google Maps

  7. Indigenous art from the NGV collection at Federation Square.

    Google Maps

  8. Meet at the Visitor Centre for the First Peoples-led plant walk, 10:45am on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

    Google Maps

  9. Bunjilaka, the place of Bunjil, inside Melbourne Museum.

    Google Maps

© OpenStreetMap contributors, map data

An Aboriginal walking tour in Melbourne shows a city that stands on Wurundjeri and Kulin Country. Here are the First Peoples-led walks, the places by the river, and how to visit with respect.

Editorial team, melbournelanewaystour.com · Updated November 8, 2026 · 7 min of reading

Quick look

  • Gardens walkA First Peoples guide, 1.5 hrs, 10:45am on set days, at the Botanic Gardens.1
  • River walkThe Koorie Heritage Trust's Birrarung Wilam walk starts at 1pm.2
  • FreeThe City's Aboriginal Melbourne walk is a self-guided route.3
  • Booked hereThe Gardens walk for up to 25 people, from $38.
  • WelcomeWomindjeka, or wominjeka, means welcome in local languages.4

Whose Country the city stands on

An Aboriginal walking tour in Melbourne begins with whose land you are on. The City of Melbourne explains that the Eastern Kulin brings together 5 Traditional Owner groups, namely the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wadawurrung peoples.5 Their Country reaches around Port Phillip and Western Port and up to the Great Dividing Range, and the groups share a creator, Bunjil.6,7

The central city's traditional name is Narrm, and Melbourne stands on ancient Wurundjeri land within the Kulin Nation.8,9 The City's acknowledgement speaks of a connection to this place maintained for more than 2000 generations.10 You will hear the welcome womindjeka, or wominjeka, at many cultural sites; it means welcome in the languages of the Traditional Owners.4

A First Nations walking tour in Melbourne is the best way to hear this history from the people it belongs to. Guides choose what to share, and some knowledge is not for visitors at all, which is exactly as it should be. What follows covers the walks led by First Peoples guides, the public places you can visit on your own, and the simple courtesies that make a visit go well.

Side by side

First Peoples experiences in Melbourne

ExperienceWhereWhenLed by
Aboriginal Heritage WalkRoyal Botanic Gardens10:45am, set days1First Peoples guide25
Birrarung Wilam walkKoorie Heritage TrustFrom 1pm2Koorie guide26
Koorie Heritage TrustFederation Square10am to 5pm daily11First Peoples centre27
BunjilakaMelbourne MuseumDaily, with exceptions28Planned with Traditional Owners29
Aboriginal Melbourne walkAcross the cityAny timeSelf-guided3

Times and days as the venues and the City of Melbourne publish them; check before you go.30

Birrarung Marr and the river camp

The heart of Aboriginal Melbourne is the river. Birrarung Marr is the park on the north bank of the Yarra beside Federation Square, opened in 2002.16 In the Woi Wurrung language, birrarung means river of mists; the City's walk says marr relates to the edge, and its park page says side.17,18 Either way, it names the land beside the river of mists.

Inside the park is Birrarung Wilam, a phrase meaning river camp.19 The installation centres on a mound campsite, an eel path, message sticks and a cluster of ancestor stones.20 A semicircle of metal shields stands for the 5 groups of the Kulin Nation, and the winding path recalls the eel as a traditional food.21 Nearby, an Eel Trap sculpture recalls that eels were once plentiful here.22

Eel traps were set by shallow waterfalls that once separated the river's fresh water from the salt water of the bay.23 That natural fall was blown up in 1883.24 From Birrarung Wilam, the William Barak Bridge, named after a Wurundjeri elder, carries a soundscape of Wurundjeri voices that changes as you cross.13

A day on Kulin Country

How to spend a day with First Peoples culture

  1. 10am

    Koorie Heritage Trust

    The centre opens at Federation Square.11

  2. 10:45am

    Gardens walk

    Meet at the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre.1

  3. Midday

    Ian Potter Centre

    Indigenous art from the NGV collection.12

  4. 1pm

    Birrarung Wilam walk

    The Trust's guided walk to the river.2

  5. Afternoon

    William Barak Bridge

    Hear Wurundjeri voices as you cross.13

  6. Late afternoon

    Bunjilaka

    Bunjil's nest and the Milarri Garden Trail.14,15

The Koorie Heritage Trust walk at Federation Square

The Koorie Heritage Trust is a First Peoples arts and cultural centre at Federation Square, founded in 1985 and open from 10am to 5pm every day.27,11 Its building is designed to connect you to Country: the red reflects the landscape, the columns reimagine the scar tree and the rippled ceiling echoes moving water.33 Stairs, an escalator and a lift reach all 3 levels.34

Its Birrarung Wilam walk leads from Federation Square down to the art installations by the river, with a Koorie guide explaining how the land under the city has changed.26 Fed Square lists it on weekdays, except public holidays, from 1pm, at AUD 40 for adults and AUD 20 for students and concession.2 Tourism Australia describes it as running at 1pm each day, so check the current days when you book.35

On the Trust's cultural walks you may hold replica objects, among them a cloak of possum skin, clap sticks and a spear-thrower, as the guide explains what each one meant.36 The river walk is wheelchair accessible; tell your guide if you need a ramp rather than stairs.37 Walk-up tickets are sold at the Trust's front desk too, while places last.38

Choose your walk

Which First Peoples experience suits you

Pick the line that fits your day.

  • If I want to learn about native plants

    Gardens walk

    Taste, touch and smell with a First Peoples guide.31

  • If I want the river and the city's story

    Birrarung Wilam walk

    From Federation Square to the river installations.26

  • If I am travelling with children

    Bunjilaka

    A museum centre with Bunjil's nest, a garden trail and the languages of Victoria.14,15,32

  • If I have no budget

    The City's free walk

    A self-guided route of significant sites.3

  • If I want art

    Koorie Heritage Trust and NGV

    Exhibitions side by side at Federation Square.27,12

Three ways to go

Gardens walk, river walk or your own route

Plants and culture

Gardens walk

Most reviewed

  • Length1.5 hours
  • GroupUp to 25
  • MeetsVisitor Centre
Book the Gardens walk

Starts 1pm

River walk

Meets at the Trust

  • Length1 hour
  • GroupUp to 10
  • MeetsFederation Square
Book the Gardens walk

The Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens describe Melbourne Gardens as a significant cultural site for the Kulin Nation, and their Aboriginal Heritage Walk is led by a First Peoples guide.25 It is a walk through plants rather than buildings: your guide may ask you to taste, touch and smell as you learn how plants were used and what they mean.31 It is also wheelchair accessible.111

The official details are clear. You meet at the Visitor Centre, the walk lasts 1.5 hrs, and sessions run at 10:45am on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with no sessions on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.1 The Gardens list AUD 55 for adults and AUD 40 concession, bookings are essential, and a 10% surcharge applies on public holidays.110 Because of works, tours leave from Oak Lawn from 26 October 2026, but you still check in at the Visitor Centre.30

There are no child tickets: children are welcome, but the walk is designed for older audiences and under-15s book at the concession rate.112 The listing booked on this page is this Gardens walk, in English, for up to 25 people, from $38 with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. As an Indigenous walking tour in Melbourne, it suits anyone curious about food, medicine and the plants that the city grew over.

Price your walk

First Peoples walks for your group

Choose how many are joining to see starting totals.

Compare 2 alternatives

First Peoples walks for your group

Choose how many are joining to see starting totals.

2 people
  1. Gardens walk1.5 hours · starts at, per person $38

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    View
  2. River walk1 hour · starts at, per person $28

    ≈

    View

From-prices on GetYourGuide, shown at the ECB reference rate. Your exact price is confirmed during booking.

Places to find on your own in the city

The City publishes a free Aboriginal Melbourne walk that you can download.3 At Parliament House, a granite and brass paving inlay reproduces a painting by William Barak from about 1880; the work, called Ceremony, marks the site as a ceremonial ground and meeting place of the Kulin Nation.103,113 In Parliament Gardens, Ngarra Murray etched emu and crow totems into the bluestone at the memorial to Pastor Sir Doug and Lady Gladys Nicholls.114

On Swanston Street, the balconies of a 31-storey building form a portrait of William Barak.104 Barak was a respected Wurundjeri leader who spoke up for his people and witnessed the John Batman treaty.115 By the river, Speakers Corner marks where communities gathered from the 1890s to the 1960s to hear Aboriginal thinkers such as Bill Onus and Gary Foley.101

Further out, scarred trees still stand in Yarra Park, where the Eastern Kulin played marngrook, an early form of football.116,117 In the Botanic Gardens, the ornamental lake keeps part of Tromgin Billabong, once an eel fishing place.118 An artwork also remembers 2 Aboriginal men publicly hanged in Melbourne in 1842.119 The City's online map shows many more places of Aboriginal significance.120

Video

The Aboriginal Heritage Walk in the Botanic Gardens

Australia on YouTube · The video stays unloaded until you press play.

The groups are spiritually, culturally, politically and economically connected with a shared creator, Bunjil.
City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne)7

Walk checklist

Before an Aboriginal walk

Book3

  • The Gardens walk needs a booking110
  • Arrive early: check-in is at the Visitor Centre30
  • River walk tickets can also be bought on the day38

Respect3

  • Ask before photographing guides or people
  • Do not climb on installations or move stones
  • Learn a word: womindjeka means welcome4

Museums and galleries: Bunjilaka and the NGV

For a longer visit, Bunjilaka at Melbourne Museum is the place. Its name means the place of Bunjil, and it was planned together with Aboriginal people including the Boonwurrung and Woi wurrung.105,29 Inside you can hear the 38 distinct languages of Victoria, enter Bunjil's nest in the First Peoples exhibition, and walk the Milarri Garden Trail of indigenous plants.32,14,15

Bunjilaka opens daily except Good Friday and Christmas Day.28 It sits in Carlton, a short tram ride north of the lanes, so it pairs well with a morning at the Koorie Heritage Trust and an afternoon in the city.

At Federation Square, the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia shows Indigenous art from the national gallery's collection, including works by Emily Kam Kngwarray and Rover Thomas alongside contemporary artists such as Brook Andrew and Destiny Deacon.12 It is next door to the Koorie Heritage Trust, so a walk, the Trust's exhibitions and the gallery fit comfortably into a single day.

Visiting with respect

The Royal Botanic Gardens put it well: they invite walkers to come with an open heart and mind and to learn about living culture, not just history.121 That is the right spirit for every visit. Ask questions, listen to the answer you are given, and accept that some things are not shared.

Treat installations such as Birrarung Wilam as places, not props. Sit where seating is offered, walk the paths, and do not climb on or move the stones and shields. Ask before you photograph a guide or a person taking part in a ceremony, and follow any request not to film. If you buy art or objects, buy from Aboriginal-run outlets such as the Koorie Heritage Trust's shop.

Finally, remember that there are many First Peoples. The Gardens acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of more than 250 language groups across Australia, and the culture you meet in Melbourne is that of the Kulin Nation, not a single national culture.122 Using local names, such as Narrm and Birrarung, is a small way to show you were listening.8

FAQ

Fast answers to common questions.

Is there an Aboriginal walking tour in Melbourne?
Yes, several

The Koorie Heritage Trust's river walk and the Royal Botanic Gardens' Aboriginal Heritage Walk are both led by First Peoples guides.26,25

How long is the Aboriginal Heritage Walk?
1.5 hours

It runs 1.5 hrs from the Visitor Centre at 10:45am on set days.1

How much does the Koorie Heritage Trust walk cost?
AUD 40 adult

Fed Square lists AUD 40 for adults and AUD 20 for students and concession.2

Can children join the Gardens walk?
Yes, at concession

There are no child tickets; under-15s book at the concession rate.112

What does Birrarung mean?
River of mists

In Woi Wurrung, birrarung means river of mists.17

Are the walks wheelchair accessible?
Both are

The river walk and the Gardens walk are both wheelchair accessible.37,111

Can I visit Aboriginal sites for free?
Yes

The City's Aboriginal Melbourne walk is free to download and follow.3

Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria · Aboriginal Heritage Walk ↩
  2. Fed Square · Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk with Koorie Heritage Trust ↩
  3. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Aboriginal Melbourne walk ↩
  4. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Aboriginal Melbourne ↩
  5. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Aboriginal Melbourne walk ↩
  6. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Aboriginal Melbourne walk ↩
  7. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Aboriginal Melbourne walk ↩
  8. Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Travel guide to Melbourne ↩
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  10. City of Melbourne (Participate Melbourne) · Hoddle Grid: Heart of the city ↩
  11. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Koorie Heritage Trust ↩
  12. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Aboriginal Melbourne walk ↩
  13. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Melbourne's best accessible Aboriginal experiences ↩
  14. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Melbourne's best accessible Aboriginal experiences ↩
  15. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Melbourne's best accessible Aboriginal experiences ↩
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  21. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Birrarung Marr ↩
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  72. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Centreway Arcade
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  74. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Classic icons and architecture walk
  75. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · The Capitol
  76. City of Melbourne (What's On Melbourne) · Manchester Unity Building
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