Perth sits on the traditional nation of the Whadjuk Noongar folks, who’ve been the Traditional Owners of this pocket of Western Australia for over 45,000 years. It’s additionally house to some wonderful First Nations experiences for travellers, from Aboriginal Astronomy to bush tucker tasting periods.
Boorloo (Perth) is likely one of the most remoted main cities on the earth, sitting on the far south-western fringe of the continent. For over 45,000 years, the Whadjuk Noongar folks have known as it house. Numerous travellers are drawn to Perth for its seashores, significantly Cottesloe, its gardens, and its proximity to regional WA hotspots like Margaret River and The Pinnacles (proximity actually issues when your state covers greater than 2.6 million sq. kilometres).
But increasingly guests are discovering Perth’s distinctive First Nations experiences, too. There are some nice Indigenous-owned and -guided companies providing unimaginable day-trips and strolling excursions in Perth. In partnership with not-for-profit market, Welcome to Country, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites.
Learn Aboriginal Astronomy on the Gravity Discovery Centre
Australia’s Indigenous individuals are usually credited with being the world’s first astronomers, and because of Gravity Discovery Centre, simply north of Perth, you will get a have a look at the night time sky such as you’ve by no means seen it earlier than. Indigenous Elder, Dr. Noel Nannup, will educate you ways First Nations folks mapped the cosmos, and the way stars had been used to navigate, predict climate, and affect Song Lines, artwork and tradition. Enjoy a guided laser tour beneath a transparent night time sky, and take a peek by means of the well-known 25” Brodie Telescope. It’s a really humbling expertise. More info.
Taste conventional bush tucker at Mandoon Estate
This is a cellar door go to with a distinction. Mandoon Estate vineyard within the Swan Valley provides a novel bush tucker expertise with native Noongar Elder, Dale Tilbrook. This bush tucker expertise isn’t simply about conventional meals; it’s an opportunity to take a seat with Dale and listen to the tales of this area, to find out about Indigenous farming practices and get an perception into Noongar tradition. It additionally features a glass of glowing on the Mandoon cellar door, with a bit crash course from their in-house sommelier. More info.
Wander King’s Park with Nyungar Tours
King’s Park is certainly one of Perth’s most lovely gardens, with epic views overlooking the Swan River, and it’s at all times been a well-liked spot with guests. But not many travellers get to expertise King’s Park within the firm of Whadjuk Yorga and skilled information Kerry-Ann Winmar. Kerry-Ann runs Nyungar Tours, which incorporates a few strolling excursions in Perth, and she or he’s filled with tales about Whadjuk Country, about Yorgas (ladies) in Aboriginal tradition, and in regards to the medicinal crops nonetheless discovered within the gardens immediately. You’ll get a complete new perspective on Derbal Yerrigan (the Swan River) and its Traditional Owners. More info.
Join an Aboriginal artwork workshop with Djurandi Dreaming
Djurandi Dreaming is an Indigenous tour firm, run by Wadjuk man Justin Martin, who additionally occurs to be a famend Noongar artist. They run a number of wonderful cultural experiences in Perth, however one you don’t need to miss is the Aboriginal Art Workshop. This will be run indoors, or out in nature, if the climate’s good. Justin will educate you conventional symbols, tales and line work utilized in Noongar tradition, and assist you to create your personal paintings to take house. All the paint and artwork provides are supplied, and also you’ll get an introduction into native Indigenous historical past, too. Pro tip: don’t put on your fancy garments to this one. More info.
Explore the Swan Valley with Dale Tillbrook
If you’re on the lookout for overview of the Swan Valley, simply half-hour exterior Perth, that is the place to start out. Wardandi Bibbulmun girl Dale Tillbrook is likely one of the area’s most skilled tour guides (she runs a bunch of various experiences right here, together with some scrumptious bush tucker tasting periods) and her Local History and Culture tour is an unimaginable deep dive into native First Nations historical past. It takes place on the Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery, the place you’ll be able to take a look at the native artwork scene, style some wild bush tucker, and meet the pleasant emus, too (they’re suckers for a selfie). No-one is aware of this space like Dale. More info.
This is actually simply the tip of the iceberg. Our companions, Welcome to Country, have an enormous record of Indigenous journey experiences in Perth. You can verify them out right here.