10 Indigenous experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory

The Northern Territory (NT) is the best destination to learn about and experience the Indigenous culture. With so many Aboriginal tours available, it’s hard to pick a favorite. So here’s our round-up of the top cultural experiences to help you delve deeper into Indigenous Australia while visiting the NT.

Running twice daily (morning and afternoon), Maruku Arts’ dot painting workshop is taught by a local Anangu artist and an assisting interpreter. For thousands of years, Anangu (Aboriginal people from the Central and Western deserts) have passed down their knowledge from generation to generation, and this remains true today. During the 1.5-hour class, you’ll learn about traditional art, tools, and symbols and even be introduced to Pitjantjatjara, the local language spoken by Anangu.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be impressed with your new knowledge, plus you’ll take home a piece of art that’s entirely original and something worth treasuring.

SEIT Outback Australia runs a range of can’t-miss Indigenous tours from the sprawling Ayers Rock Resort, including the Aboriginal Homelands Experience from Ayers Rock.

You’ll be fully immersed in Anangu culture and family history during this insightful 7-hour afternoon tour of your guide’s homeland (Patij)–off-road style. Enjoy afternoon tea by the campfire as you hear about the history of the Aboriginal land. As the sun sets over the desert, you’ll be set up with the perfect view: at a private dune that overlooks Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

With a maximum of 10 people per group, experiences stay intimate, and the tours are open to anyone aged five and above. Book in advance. The tour will fully open your eyes to the history of the ‘big red rock’–before it became one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks.

You can’t get much more authentic than the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience: a short 1-hour guided walking tour to showcase bush tucker (food that’s native to Australia), wooden artifacts, and bush medicines used by the Lurit­ja and Per­tame (South­ern Aran­da) people.

The tour is packed with information and unique experiences to broaden your horizons. You’ll hear how the Aboriginal community made traditional wood artifacts including clap sticks, necklaces, and weapons, plus learn about seasonal bush tucker gathered from the land. The cultural relevance behind patterns and symbols in dot art will also be revealed.

Located on the southeast edges of the Watarrka National Park, approximately 5.5 hours southwest of Alice Springs in NT, Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours should be a must-do during your stay in the region.

The Yellow Water Cruise is the perfect way to spot crocodiles along Kakadu’s most famous wetland. In addition, about one-third of Australia’s bird species can be found in Kakadu National Park, and at least 60 species can be found in the wetlands–great news for bird lovers!

Run by Indigenous-owned tour operator Kakadu Tourism, the company has exclusive use of Yellow Water Billabong, offering up to six cruises a day of 90- or 120-minute duration.

The change in season provides an ever-changing vista, and many people take more than one cruise during their stay as the wildlife can change depending on the times of the day. You can choose your departure time–either sunrise or sunset. And with the wildlife-filled wetlands of the Yellow Water Billabong being among the highlights of the Kakadu National Park, you won’t be disappointed.

Barunga Festival, which takes place in the Katherine region, is an iconic event on the national festival calendar that boasts a long-standing history of promoting the best of remote Indigenous Australia. Offering visitors a mix of music, sport, and culture, the festival attracts 4,000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous people worldwide every year. They come to camp in this small remote area over the June long weekend.

Alcohol-free and with a healthy food policy to boot, Barunga is a family-friendly festival that welcomes visitors of all ages, encouraging everyone to join in the festivities and show their support to the remote Indigenous community.

One for the food lovers. Taking place May 20-29 this year, Taste of Kakadu returns with a 10-day program of events celebrating the region’s cuisine, culture, and country. Here you can experience traditional bush food. The program includes hands-on workshops, a dinner under the stars, and ranger-guided tours, all to celebrate the culture of Bininj/Mungguy.

Set within the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, you’ll be taken on a journey of the senses as you immerse yourself in Kakadu's sights, sounds, and tastes. You’ll gain many opportunities to learn and develop a richer connection to the land and the traditional owners.

Nitmiluk (Katherine) is a fully-Indigenous-owned operator that provides a range of 2-hour gorge cruises. There are various departure times so you can easily fit this into your itinerary; choose a 2-gorge cruise, 3-gorge cruise, or the dawn cruise. Cultural guides share their knowledge about animals, history, plants, Dreamtime stories, and culture, all while you glide along the water and take in the stunning views.

The first two gorges are the longest ones in the 13-gorge system. The dawn cruise allows you to see wildlife waking up and the sky in its morning glory. No matter what time of year you visit, you can take a Nitmiluk cruise, and you’ll be amazed by the ever-changing landscapes around you. Look out for the Hanging Gardens: a gorge section with a rainforest feel. Water seeps through the natural sandstone structure, and the area is hidden from the sun, offering a cooling effect.

The Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures is Australia's most significant Indigenous cultural gathering. A national hub for major forums with discussion and policy, the event brings together a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through youth forums, film, song, music, dance, and expo exhibitions.

Taking place over four days each August in remote Arnhem Land, guests are immersed in the rich cultural heritage of Yolngu hosts, experiencing a contemporary environment like no other. Garma is hosted, coordinated, and programmed by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, a not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation. Yothu Yindi Foundation aims to educate through sharing culture and traditional practices and create economic opportunities beneficial to northeast Arnhem Land.

Despite its very remote location, the mix of Yothu Yindi Foundation stakeholders and Garma participants and guests make the festival a ‘can’t miss’ event each year.

Add this to your NT itinerary immediately. Parrtjima (A Festival in Light) is the only authentic Aboriginal light festival in Alice Springs. Located in Alice Springs Desert Park and next taking place in April 2023, Parrtjima is a free 10-night festival in light that brings the desert to life with new artworks, a program of performances, light shows, music, film, interactive workshops, and talks.

The festival showcases the oldest continuous culture on earth through new technology, projected against the 300 million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. Tip: view from 7 p.m. at the earliest to ensure the best daylight levels and overall experience.

Book in advance for this 2.5-hour Aboriginal cultural experience at Katherine’s Top Didj Cultural Experience Art Gallery. You’ll meet Manuel Pamkal from the Dalabon tribe, who will hand you a wristband with his tribe’s name displayed. He’ll share stories of his childhood, showcasing the rich culture of the Indigenous people and how he lived in the bush. Next, you’ll learn the art of rarrk painting (and get to take your creation home), try to make fire with two sticks, and perfect your spear-throwing skills.

At Top Didj, you can browse and buy authentic Aboriginal art, souvenirs, and the best didgeridoos in the NT. The Cultural Experience is designed to promote a positive experience with the Aboriginal people, enhancing the visitor experience and connection with the Northern Territory.

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