Enrich your delegate’s cultural knowledge by exploring Melbourne's diverse urban Aboriginal experiences on a day filled with art, culture, food and nature. Talk to local guides and gain an understanding of the Aboriginal story in both its historic and contemporary forms, all without leaving the city.

9.30am - One hour Birrarung Marr cultural river walk

Learn about the significance of the ‘river of mists’ to the Kulin Nation with a one hour guided walk along the Birrarung Marr (the riverside) with Koorie Heritage Trust. Starting at Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square, the walk includes the Birrarung Wilam (Common Ground) meeting area, Aboriginal art installations and insights into the history of Narrm, now known as Melbourne.

Experience a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with the Djirri Djirri dancers – a Wurundjeri female dance group - and Kiernan Ironfield playing the yidaki - a didgeridoo-like instrument of the Yolngu people of northern Australia.

11.15am - Kayaking experience on the Yarra River

Explore the city from the river itself on a kayak tour, no experience necessary.

After a quick briefing and paddling lesson, participants will get kitted up and head downriver under the Princes Bridge and into the heart of Melbourne. The tour will continue along the Yarra River past Flinders Station and up to the iconic Polly Woodside Tallship at South Wharf before entering the Docklands precinct and the beautiful Yarra’s Edge Marina. After a short break the paddlers then head back upstream past Crown Casino and the lively South Bank district before finishing back at Boathouse Drive.

1.30pm - Lunch at Big Esso serving up native Indigenous flavours

Share a seasonal menu of native flavours at all-day bar and kitchen Big Esso by Mabu Mabu at Federation Square, with Torres Strait Islander chef Nornie Bero at the helm. Admire the bright space filled with artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

3.00pm - Visit Koorie Heritage Trust for Indigenous art and culture

Head next door to the Koorie Heritage Trust after lunch. Enjoy permanent collections and rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, cultural artefacts and even oral history recordings.

Delegates may also want to browse the on-site shopKOORIE for authentic Victorian Aboriginal products and designs as a memento of their trip.

3.30pm - Local street art tour with contemporary Aboriginal artist and workshop

Time to get arty. A prominent local street artist will be joined by contemporary Indigenous artist Jarra Karalinar Steel on a guided Street Art Tour – the only street art tour in Australia run by street artists.

Karalinar is known for her large-scale public works and her artwork can be found in various Melbourne laneways you’ll see on the tour. Karalinar’s art expresses her culture and her Boon Wurrung, Wemba Wemba, Trawlwoolway, English and Scottish heritage.

Departing from Federation Square, you’ll be led down hidden laneways and arcades where you’ll discover some of the most interesting street art and outdoor galleries in the world. Refresh with a Melbourne-style Indigenous-fusion high tea in the laneways catered by Indigenous-owned and operated Pawa Catering, complemented by their own Taka Gin brand, infused with locally foraged lemon-scented gum leaf.

You’ll then work your way through the city to Blender Studios, which offers a variety of art workshops from spray painting to lettering and crafts. Workshops cater to all needs and requirements.

7.15pm - Dinner in 100% Aboriginal female-owned and operated lux cocktail bar and restaurant

Meet in hotel lobby to head out for dinner on Melbourne’s iconic Chapel Street in a sleek, sensual, high-end cocktail bar and restaurant - Interlude.

This 100 per cent Aboriginal female-owned and operated lux cocktail bar and restaurant has been inspired by Indigenous culture and innovative bars and restaurants around the world. You'll experience a distinct focus on incorporating and platforming First Nations native, local and natural ingredients, such as their signature cocktails like the Davidson Plum Sour, Kakadu Plum & Mango Martini and more.

Engaging with other First Nation owned businesses and suppliers, this cocktail bar and restaurant is determined to giving back to community while continuing to maintain high standards of service.

Like the idea of this but would like to customise further? Reach out to the team at MCB who can help you plan a bespoke culturally packed itinerary your delegates won’t forget.

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