First Nations
A starting point for First Nations-led walks, cultural spaces, galleries, artists, makers, food, gifts and regional experiences across Melbourne and Victoria. Some are easy to visit. Some need to be arranged privately. We'll help work out what is open, appropriate and possible for your timing.
Some experiences can be booked like a normal tour. Others depend on guide availability, permissions, rooms, Country and timing.
Start here
Six useful starting points. Some are open to visit. Some need to be arranged with the right guide or organisation.
Institution
A strong first stop for exhibitions, city walks, gifts and proper context around Aboriginal Melbourne.
Worth knowing. Use as the lead city partner and the best first point of reference for Aboriginal Melbourne.
Guided walk
A First Nations-led walk giving context to Country, river, settlement, contemporary culture and the living Aboriginal history of Melbourne.
Worth knowing. Best early in the stay. Keep it small and led by the right guide.
Game Week fit
Walk the sports precinct with a First Nations guide and hear the older story of the area before it became known globally for sport.
Worth knowing. Do not offer on game day without checking access and timing around team schedules.
Protocol
For formal welcomes, openings or private group moments, arranged through the right Traditional Owner organisation for the place.
Worth knowing. Fees, notice, location and availability apply.
Gifting
Thoughtful gifts, artworks, books, objects and jewellery sourced through trusted First Nations makers, shops or institutions.
Worth knowing. Start with Koorie Heritage Trust and verified First Nations makers, not generic souvenir shops.
Regional Victoria
A major Gunditjmara cultural landscape in western Victoria, better suited to an overnight or longer regional journey.
Worth knowing. Not a quick Game Week add-on. Confirm access, guide and travel plan before offering.
Melbourne / Naarm
Close, useful options for guests who want First Nations context without overloading the day.
Institution
A strong first stop for exhibitions, city walks, gifts and proper context around Aboriginal Melbourne.
Worth knowing. Anchor the route here, then add a walk, gallery or river edge depending on timing.
Guided walk
A First Nations-led walk that gives the city, river and civic spaces proper context.
Worth knowing. Confirm format, guide availability and timing before promising.
Game Week fit
Walk the sports precinct with a First Nations guide and hear the older story of the area before it became known globally for sport.
Worth knowing. Do not offer on game day without checking access and timing.
Self-guided
A self-guided audio experience adding First Nations stories and place context around selected Melbourne walks.
Worth knowing. Use as a supplement, not a replacement for a First Nations-led host.
Guided walk
A guided walk through Melbourne Gardens looking at native plants, culture and connection to Country, close to the city.
Worth knowing. Check the current schedule and private availability before offering.
Institution
A museum-based introduction to Aboriginal culture, history and living stories, with a reliable indoor format.
Worth knowing. Good for families, first-time visitors and wet-weather planning.
By arrangement
Some experiences need to be shaped privately with the right host, artist, guide or operator.
Private option
A private cultural briefing, gallery context session or hosted city experience arranged with KHT where appropriate.
Worth knowing. May require room booking, host availability and proper briefing.
By arrangement
A cultural layer added to a private river cruise or river-edge route, subject to partner and host availability.
Worth knowing. Best treated as a private arrangement, not a set public product.
Private option
A private session with a First Nations artist, maker or cultural practitioner, shaped around the guest and the work.
Worth knowing. Use KHT recommendations first. Do not invent workshops or artists.
Wellness
A movement and wellbeing session connecting body, breath and Country, arranged with an appropriate facilitator.
Worth knowing. Good for partners, wellness guests or a calm group session.
Private option
A visual, hands-on cultural art experience by arrangement, subject to artist availability, location and format.
Worth knowing. Strong premium option if current, available and appropriate for the guest.
Private option
A hands-on cultural workshop arranged with the right facilitator, location and format.
Worth knowing. Do not promise this until the facilitator and format are confirmed.
Art and gifting
Gifts and artworks should come from the right places: First Nations-owned, First Nations-run, institution-held or properly represented channels.
Gifting
A trusted first stop for thoughtful gifts, books and objects, with institutional context and proper provenance.
Worth knowing. Good for room drops, corporate gifts and low-friction purchases.
First Nations-owned
A First Nations-owned jewellery and accessories brand with colour, personality and a strong local voice.
Worth knowing. Good for younger guests, partners and room-drop gifting if stock and timing work.
Gifting
Gift packs, postcards, coasters, objects or artist-led pieces sourced through KHT or verified First Nations makers.
Worth knowing. Useful for VIP room drops, partner gifts and hosted moments.
Food
Melbourne's First Nations food scene has changed. Some venues have closed, but catering, private meals and native ingredient-led moments may still be possible by arrangement.
We distinguish between First Nations-owned or First Nations-led food experiences and restaurants that simply use native ingredients.
Food
Private meals, tastings or catered moments may be possible with a current First Nations chef, caterer or operator.
Worth knowing. We confirm the chef, caterer or operator before naming them.
Food
Some restaurants use native ingredients thoughtfully, but that does not always mean they are First Nations-owned or led.
Worth knowing. We'll help frame this properly and avoid overstating the connection.
Food / gifting
Room drops, small gifts or hosted food moments can be shaped through KHT or verified First Nations makers and suppliers.
Worth knowing. Best for VIP arrivals, partner gifts and small hosted moments.
Regional Victoria
Some First Nations experiences need more time. If the guest has a full day or longer, the concierge team can advise what is open, appropriate and worth the travel.
Regional Victoria
A major Gunditjmara cultural landscape in western Victoria, recognised for its ancient aquaculture systems.
Worth knowing. Better suited to an overnight or longer journey than a quick city add-on.
Regional Victoria
Regional First Nations art, Country, landscape or community-linked experiences may be possible with more time.
Worth knowing. We'll only suggest options that are open, appropriate and led or held by the right people.
Protocol
For formal welcomes, openings, smoking ceremonies or private group moments, the request should go through the appropriate Traditional Owner organisation for the place where the event is held.
Protocol
The appropriate Traditional Owner organisation for Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and cultural protocol requests on Wurundjeri Country.
Worth knowing. Fees, notice, location and availability apply.
Tell us the guest, the timing and the interest. We'll work out what is open, appropriate and possible.
Ask the concierge