Maruku Arts, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia
Aboriginal art experiences
There are so many amazing ways to experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art – here are a few ideas to inspire your travels.
Across Australia, Aboriginal rock art adorns rugged natural formations, communicating stories that have been recorded over many millennia. The best way to experience these meaningful works of art is by joining a guided tour through picturesque national parks, led by Aboriginal Traditional Custodians. Gain access to restricted areas, take in breathtaking cliff faces and deepen your understanding of Aboriginal history and cultures through your guides’ interpretation of each artwork.
One of the best ways to learn about different cultures is through practice, and the same can be said about art. Getting hands on with dot painting while guided by an Aboriginal artist is a brilliant way to understand the techniques and symbolism behind each unique piece. Pick up a brush at the foot of Uluru with Maruku Arts, get painting amid the Daintree at Janbal Gallery or visit Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre just outside of Melbourne – there are plenty of places to grab a paint brush, have a ‘yarn’ (chat) and create your very own mini masterpiece.
While many of Australia’s world-class galleries and museums feature extensive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections, there’s nothing quite as breathtaking as wandering through an outdoor gallery, witnessing stunning interpretations of First Nations wisdoms while standing on the landscapes they emerged from. Head to the Red Centre to watch drones light up the night sky above sacred Uluru during Wintjiri Wiru, see Indigenous artists represented throughout the Vivid Sydney light show or watch Alice Springs come to life for the annual Parrtjima festival.
Sprinkled throughout the country, Aboriginal art centres are community-based hubs for artists to create, showcase and sell their creations. These centres are also often used to teach skills to future generations. A visit to one of these hubs for creativity is a privilege that is sure to leave you feeling enriched. Take the chance to explore the collections, hear from local artists, watch creations come to life and maybe even treat yourself to something unique to take home.
The hauntingly beautiful sounds of the didgeridoo have echoed throughout Australia for thousands of years, and in many Aboriginal cultures, this music is an important part of storytelling, celebrations and traditions. Made from hollowed out tree branches, these intricate instruments often look as beautiful as they sound. Join Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel to hear one played above the Great Barrier Reef, sit by the fire with Wula Gura Nyinda on the Coral Coast, or spend a day with Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours just outside of Darwin.
Dance performances are a great way to take in the beauty and diversity of Aboriginal cultures, combining traditional movement with music and dress. Nestled just outside of Cairns in mountainous Kuranda, Rainforestation Nature Park offers guests the opportunity to witness the Pamagirri Dance Performance, including traditional interpretations of native animals in a rainforest amphitheatre. In Sydney, you can step into the iconic Sydney Opera House to watch Australia’s premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company, Bangarra, unveil a captivating showcase that uses world-class light and costume design to bring ancient stories to life.
Australia is spoiled with a vibrant array of music festivals, many of which feature talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who proudly weave their cultures into modern masterpieces. You can dance to the likes of Yolngu rapper Baker Boy, Malyangapa and Barkindji artist Barkaa or Yolngu Aussie rock band King Stingray at many unforgettable events such as Byron Bay’s famous Splendour in the Grass. Keep an eye out for specific performances during Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ multi-week music and arts affair, Volume.
Transformative music, heart-stopping performances, interactive workshops and moving storytelling are the things you’ll find at an Aboriginal cultural festival. These spectacular, multi-day celebrations present an opportunity to become immersed in First Nations cultures. Held in remote northeast Arnhem Land, the Yothu Yindi Foundation’s Garma is Australia’s largest Indigenous festival, with thousands coming together to celebrate traditional Yolngu culture. Annually celebrated in June, just south of Katherine, the Barunga Festival is another epic showcase of art, sport and storytelling from regional and remote communities.
Whether you want to shop or just peruse, Indigenous art fairs are a fantastic way to get exposed to a variety of traditional and contemporary art forms. The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair brings together a diverse mix of artists to showcase all types of creations, from unique and wonderful textiles and fashion parades to bustling markets and picturesque galleries. Held annually on Gadigal Country in Sydney (Warrane), the National Indigenous Art Fair is a similar gathering, bringing together artists from remote art centres across Australia in one, central location.
