Heart pumping Aboriginal adventures across Australia

20 May 2024
Written by Kate Robertson

We've partnered with Tourism Australia to bring you some of the most exciting First Nations tourism experiences the country has to offer. Whether its scaling Sydney Harbour Bridge or quad biking over Southern Hemisphere sand dunes, get these these Aboriginal adventures on your bucket list.

Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience, NSW

If taking in the iconic view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the ground is not enough of a thrill, you can accept the challenge of climbing its famous steel arches by tackling all 1,332 steps to the top.

As we tighten our harnesses and go through safety checks, the realisation we’re preparing to climb the world's most famous bridge begins to sink in. Our First Nations Storyteller and guide, Shona Davidson, emphasises the importance of taking it slow and steady as we start our trek to the summit, attached to the bridge via a safety wire.

Shona provides rich insights into the cultural history and heritage of the Eora Nation of Sydney throughout the climb. She paints a compelling picture of how the harbour would look at night when the Gadigal women would fish, the light from the fires in their boats visible from shore. Shona’s commentary increases our appreciation of the enduring Aboriginal cultures that have thrived here for tens of thousands of years.

The excitement builds as we get closer to the summit. It’s when looking down at the rail tracks, eight road lanes, pedestrian walkway and cycle path below that we get some perspective on how high we really are—134m above sea level. Shona invites us to take part in the Eel dance across the bridge, a traditional dance with a message of reconciliation, as we take in the 360-degree views of the city skyline, its stunning vistas stretching as far as the Blue Mountains.

Aboriginal Culture, Sand Boarding and Quad Bike Tour, NSW

The quad bike engine switches on quietly enough but the slightest touch on the throttle has it roar with the power of a 400cc engine. The controls seem simple; brakes, accelerator and steering, but once we get off the bush track and onto the longest sand dune system in the Southern Hemisphere, my heart kicks up a beat.

Following the path of my fellow adventurers is not as easy as I’d expected, with motorbike training proving worse than useless, leaning in the direction I want to go does nothing and as the sand gets deeper, I end up lurching off the track with quad bike behaving like a naughty trail horse. Luckily, my guide, Matt, shepherds me back on track and stays with me until I’ve got the beast under control.

This is Worimi country. Handed back in 2007, the Worimi Land Council runs Sand Dune Adventures as one of its many enterprises, taking the opportunity to protect the ecosystem whilst promoting and sharing their Aboriginal heritage.

As part of the quad bike adventure, guide Rachel shares stories of how her people survived on the land and seas, including how they would take to the water on canoes, lighting fires that sat on a bed of clay. They would slip the salty leaves from a pigface plant under the scales of their catch to season it as it cooked. The plant’s flowers would also be a tasty treat (try it, it’s like a banana crossed with a kiwi fruit).

The quad bike tour starts at the Murrook Cultural Centre, home to a brand new interactive exhibition, which is also well worth a look.

Rock Shelter Art Tour, NT

The remote and pristine wilderness of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory is home to some of the world's oldest and most captivating rock art. Stories etched onto the rock canvases thousands of years ago are only viewable to those who have embarked on an adventurous four-wheel-drive journey that traverses the rugged landscape, crossing rivers and climbing escarpments.

During the tour, your guide will add to the excitement of the discovery by sharing some of the local Aboriginal peoples’ tales of ancestral beings, epic battles, and the secrets of the land.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Tours, NSW

Grab a paddle and stand-up board and wade out into crystal clear waters that form part of the stunning Solitary Islands Marine Park, which hugs the New South Wales north coast.

Under the tutelage of the descendants of the world’s original stand-up paddlers, you’ll find your balance and begin to navigate your way through the park waters that team with more than 530 species of reef fish, as well as stingrays and marine mammals. All this whilst learning about the language and stories of the area’s Traditional Owners, the Gumbaynggirr people.

Guluyambi Cultural Cruise, NT

‘Guluyambi’ means paper bark raft in the language of the local Aboriginal people, but you’ll be glad that you’re in a sturdier vessel when cruising along the East Alligator River, deep in the heart of Australia's Top End, on a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise.

As you wind your way through the World Heritage-listed landscape, you’ll see prehistoric saltwater crocodiles slide into the water, sparking waves that ripple terrifying close to your boat. (The East, South and West Alligator Rivers were named by white explorer Captain Philip Parker King who mistook the crocs for their smaller relation.) Your guide will talk about the rich bounty provided by the river and share some of the bush survival skills developed by the Bininj/Mungguy peoples who call this beautiful but rugged landscape home.