Aboriginal Art Walking Tour with Smoking Ceremony
Choose between two powerful 90-minute, Aboriginal-led routes in Sydney. Whether you select Warrane at Circular Quay or Birra Birra at Barangaroo, both immersive journeys open with a traditional Welcome to Country and authentic smoking ceremony. WARRANE: The Capella Hotel on Farrer Place to the Royal Botanic Garden, by way of Customs House. Jagun (Country) by Kim Healey, the Barani / Barrabugu exhibition, Circular Quay and the Opera House steps. It ends at bara, Judy Watson's 6.4 metre marble sculpture, where your group photograph is taken. BIRRA BIRRA: The public art of Barangaroo South, named artist by artist. Barangaroo herself, Jumaadi's Upside-Down Garden, eleven eagle rays stitched from recovered ghost net, Sabine Hornig's Shadows, shellwall by Esme Timbery and Jonathan Jones. It ends at Monuments for Fishes. Built and curated by Mundanara Bayles, born and raised in Redfern, ten generations of connection. BlackCard is 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and Supply Nation certified.
Your experience
Stop 1
Warrane route: Your Aboriginal guide meets you at the front entrance of the Capella Hotel on Farrer Place. The walk opens here with a Welcome to Country and a traditional smoking ceremony before anyone takes a step.
Stop 2
Warrane route: From the Capella, your guide leads you to Customs House. Inside, you'll see Jagun (Country) by artist Kim Healey and the free Barani / Barrabugu exhibition, telling the story of Aboriginal Sydney from before 1788 to today.
Stop 3
Warrane route. Jessie Street campaigned for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be counted in the census. That work carried into the 1967 referendum.
Stop 4
Warrane route. Back through the Quay on Gadigal Country, where the ferries carry the names of Aboriginal warriors, Bennelong and Bungaree among them.
Stop 5
Warrane route. The harbour the whole walk sits on, and the older story underneath it.
Stop 6
Warrane route. Seen across the Quay.
Stop 7
Warrane route. Up the steps, on Bennelong Point, named for the Wangal man whose name the ferries also carry. Exterior visit, no entry.
Stop 8
Warrane route. In frame from the Opera House steps and again behind the group photograph at bara.
Stop 9
Warrane route. bara, 2022, by Judy Watson. A 6.4 metre marble shell fish hook honouring the clans of the Eora Nation, in the form Gadigal women fished with for thousands of generations. Group photograph here.
Stop 10
Birra Birra route. Meet on the harbour front. Welcome to Gadigal Country and a smoking ceremony before the walk begins.
Stop 11
Birra Birra route. Gaawaa by Lucy Simpson, a Yuwaalaraay woman and founder of Gaawaa Miyay. Gaawaa means deep water.
Stop 12
Birra Birra route. The Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags flying together in the lobby, and what it means when a corporate precinct chooses to fly all three.
What’s included
- Traditional smoking ceremony on every departure, both routes
- Maximum fifteen guests per departure
- Welcome to Country
- Ninety minute guided walk led by local Aboriginal guide
- Warrane route: entry to Barani / Barrabugu, the free City of Sydney exhibition at Customs House
Not included
- Food and drink
Meeting and pickup
Birra Birra route. Meet on the harbour front. Welcome to Gadigal Country and a smoking ceremony before the walk begins.
Warrane route. Meet at the front entrance of the Capella Hotel, Farrer Place, Loftus Street. Welcome to Gadigal Country and a smoking ceremony before the walk begins.
Before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The two routes depart from different places. Check which one you booked.
- Warrane meets at the front entrance of the Capella Hotel, Farrer Place, Loftus Street, Sydney CBD, about 100 metres from Customs House at Circular Quay.
- Birra Birra meets at Watermans Cove, Barangaroo South, beside Monuments for Fishes.
- Arrive ten minutes early. The Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony start on time.
- Bookings close one hour before departure. You can book on the day.
- Parts of Birra Birra pass through the foyers of working buildings. Stay with your guide.
- All routes on both walks are wheelchair accessible.
- We are not currently able to support guests with a visual or hearing impairment.
- Children 6 to 16 pay the child rate. Under 6s are free and count towards the fifteen. Prams welcome.
- The smoking ceremony uses smoke from native plants. Tell us before departure if you have a respiratory condition.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a hat, water and sun protection in summer.
- Maximum fifteen guests per departure.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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