Celebrate First Nations culture in October with walking tours

To celebrate Indigenous Business Month, Intrepid Travel has joined forces with not-for-profit Welcome to Country to deliver free First Nations tourism experiences across Narrm (Melbourne) and Warrane (Sydney). Across October Saturdays, there will be 100 free spots in each city. Explore checked into the 90-minute Aboriginal Dreaming stroll around the Rocks in Sydney, offering a fascinating insight into the First Nations people's saltwater heritage in and connection to Sydney Harbour.

"Everyone believes the only real Aborigines are all in Uluru, we are trying to combat that," said the entertaining and super-informative walking tour host Aunty Margaret Campbell. In Melbourne, there's a jewellery making workshop with Wiradjuri mixed media artist Ange Jeffery.

Intrepid's aiming to offer Indigenous experiences on every single tour, said Managing Director ANZ Brett Mitchell. "Australia is home to the oldest living cultures on earth, and tourism experiences designed, led or owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people offer travellers an immersive way to engage with the rich stories and experiences that are unique to this land," he said. "There's so much to celebrate in this culture and it's there if you want to listen to it." experience.welcometocountry.com

Meanwhile, Great Southern Nights is returning in 2024 (March 8-24), dialling up the live music scene across the state of NSW (from Wollongong and Wagga to Tamworth and Newcastle). But, first, there'll be a teaser (November 16-25) with shows by artists such as country music star Beccy Cole and former X Factor winner Dami Im across Sydney neighbourhoods such as Enmore, Marrickville, Newtown, Parramatta and Penrith. Tickets to the 10-night preview are on sale now. greatsouthernnights.com.au

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