Melbourne was built on the ancestral lands of the Koolin nation, which is an easy thing to forget when you’re staring at a city of skyscrapers. These walks around the Royal Botanic Gardens, led by Indigenous guides, open the door to the culture and history of the First Peoples.

The experience starts with a traditional smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits before the guide heads into the gardens to explain the value of some of the plants, which have been used as food, medicine and tools for thousands of years.

The tours are suitable for everyone aged five and older.

Location

Melbourne’s Royal Botanical Gardens are located just south of the CBD, hugged by the Yarra River to the east and St Kilda Road to the west. Just over St Kilda Road you’ll find Melbourne’s Arts and Leisure precinct, which includes the Arts Centre Melbourne, NGVand the shops and restaurants of Southbank.

Aboriginal Heritage Walk | Royal Botanic Garden Visitors Centre, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra | +61 3 9252 2429

Images: Janusz Molinski

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