Arts and Culture

City cultural tours to explore for NAIDOC Week

City of Perth04 Nov '204 min read

GO CULTURAL TOURS

Perth offers a wealth of opportunities to learn more about ancient Aboriginal culture and the land’s traditional owners.

Here are six tours operating in Perth offering immersive experiences, walking tours or taste sensations.

Crystal Swan Boat Cruise

Serving up an immersive experience of storytelling and cuisine, the Crystal Swan cultural cruises combine the authentic cultural stories of Traditional Owners with ‘bush tucker’ by native produce caterer RiverMint dining.

Feast on West Australian seafood, game and produce supplied locally and from wild harvesters.

The Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) holds significance for the Whadjuk Nyoongar people as the main conduit between the inland plains and the Indian Ocean.

Self-guided walking tours

Soak in the city’s culture at your own pace with self-guided walking tours to discover the connection Aboriginal people have with the city.

The Karla Yarning Aboriginal heritage maps allow people to discover the connection Aboriginal people have with the city.

Download the maps to embark on a journey to discover and learn the importance Aboriginal heritage holds in the history of our city. The walks take approximately 1.5 hours each.

Yagan Square Tours

Aboriginal culture is a key part of the identity of the Yagan Square, from the wildflower garden to the Aboriginal dancing that occurs every Friday.

Each of the square’s elements is conceived in reference to the history of the area, starting with its name, which gives recognition to a significant Nyoongar leader named Yagan.

Yagan Square features the Wirin statue that embodies the spirit and culture of the Nyoongar people. ‘Wirin’ is the Nyoongar word for spirit and represents the eternal sacred force of creative power that connects all life of boodja (Mother Earth).

The meandering shape of the square’s canopy takes its form from the lakes that were in the area before urbanisation.

In addition, the Digital Tower is constructed to look like the reeds found around the lakes. Fourteen reeds in total represent the fourteen Noongar language groups indigenous to the area.

Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council

WAITOC is the peak representative for Aboriginal tours and experiences in Western Australia, promoting authentic cultural experiences.

Cultural tours are offered across the state including Perth, the South West, and the Kimberley. Options in Perth include traditional food tastings, showcases of Aboriginal culture unique to the city, and tours of Bindjareb Park - a 22ha nature sanctuary home to a number of wildlife and rare species.

Two Feet and a Heartbeat - Culture and History Primary School Excursion

Two Feet and a Heartbeat walking tours offer culture and history excursions for primary school children.

Tours can be built to suit class needs, and tour material has been crafted in consultation with the National Trust Australia. Tours can host up to 200 students for 1.5 to 2 hours duration and can include European and Indigenous history, the gold boom, immigration, modern history, street art, laneways and the evolving city.

Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours

Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours provide opportunities to explore Goomup (Elizabeth Quay), Karrgatup (Kings Park), Rottnest Island and Goologoolup (Yagan Square) from an Aboriginal perspective.

Walking tours of Elizabeth Quay or Kings Park run for 90 minutes and Yagan Square is one-hour tour. Rottnest Island offers a shorter one-hour walk or a two-hour premium experience including traditional Aboriginal sand ceremony, Dreamtime story and Nyoongar Smoking Ceremony.