Great visitor experience - for locals and tourists Loved this experience learned heaps and our guide, Tristran, was amazing! I will definitely be bringing my family back for another tour when they're visiting from Europe for Christmas.

Well worth it ! As I had a relative over from overseas we decided to visit Fed Square and do this tour with the Koori Heritage Trust. Why have I never done this before???
Jake our young guide was clear, informative, fun and made the whole tour. Although relatively short in terms of distance it was amazing how much information was covered. Some I knew about some I didn't. Was the information at times uncomfortable ? - Yes but delivered in a way that was concise and not blaming but informative.
Highly recommend and will be returning with my family

Great little delve into local Aboriginal culture Great guide (aboriginal himself of course), passionate about aboriginal culture and about sharing it.
Tour consisted of a 5 min walk down to the river (Birrarrung Mar), and lots of explanation of the history and culture associated with it. Followed by time with significant tools - where their use and significance was explained, and we could handle them (they were replicas)

What an amazing experience! We went on the Birrarung guided walk. Our guide Jake, was incredibly knowledgeable about the history, culture and the significance of our surrounding landscape. The stories shared gave us a deeper understanding of the area and its connections to the First nations people. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to appreciate and learn more about Melbourne/Victoria's rich Indigenous heritage!

Great tour, excellent guide Jake was an excellent guide. I loved hearing his stories and enjoyed his sense of humour around heavy themes. The walk it walked was beautiful with so many things I’d never noticed before, walking in the area. Highly recommend

Highly recommend! Fantastic tour led by Tristan from Koorie Heritage Trust, really interesting learning on the sites in the area and broader context of First Nations communities in Victoria. Highly recommend!

Be curious, educate yourself A great experience and opportunity to learn something about Aboriginal heritage along the Birrarung. Expertly led by our guide Tristan. Thank you Koori Heritage Trust.

Great learning experience for all ages! I have just completed a work organised tour and can honestly say it was a 10/10 experience! I grew up with many indigenous teachers and influences and i still learnt multiple new things about land and cultures. Our tour guide Jake was absolutely brilliant. Incredibly well spoken and really made you feel connected to what he was saying and was super informative!

Scar Tree Walk We did the Scar Tree Walk with Jake thiis morning. We had a fantastic time and we all learned so much from Jake. Highly recommend!
David

I’ve wanted to learn more about indigenous culture in Australia and this is a very good place to start

Top Walking Tour! Walking Tour with Jake was brilliant! Such an abundance of knowledge and felt like I learned so much.
Would highly recommend to anyone!

Fantastic walking tour and educational experience I had a very meaningful experience doing this tour with a guide named Rob. I have lived in Naarm/Melbourne pretty much my whole life and am always trying to learn more about First Peoples culture, Traditional Owners and Australia's Indigenous history, in order to help me be the best Ally possible. It was fantastic to learn about the specifics of Kulin Nations art styles and possum skin cloak customs and great to hear of tour companies incorporating into itineraries with international tourists. I look forward to returning and checking out the gallery spaces and different art exhibitions.

Walking tour I loved the tour! I’m a local and it was well worth my time. Rob was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all my questions and was very funny. I loved the interactive aspect, we got to handle artefacts and replicas. I learned lots of new things and have a different perspective on how I view parts of the city. I would highly recommend this walking tour.
Thanks so much KHT!

We had a great tour with Jake and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about local Koorie history and culture. It was a truly wonderful experience that covered so much, in a really compelling way. 5 stars and will be back!

Did a private tour with my family the other day. It’s a short tour but great insight into the indigenous people of the region. I would highly recommend anyone to take the tour.

Small but educational and interesting. The two exhibitions that were on were excellent.

Finally, after living for a while in Melbourne, I made it! Decided to go and visit KHT and its galleries, set on two different levels. There are at the moment two different temporary exhibitions about aboriginal artists, a painter and a wood “carver”.
Moreover, there are a lot of indigenous artefacts, from boomerangs to grinding stones, from shields to spears.
Interesting as always learning and experiencing First People art.

This is a sizeable gallery at Fed Square which features aboriginal artworks and artists. Through art, I was able to learn more about aboriginal culture and heritage. Part of the top floor is a permanent exhibition of traditional tools and artifacts. The rest of the gallery featured 100+ artworks as part of the Koorie Art Show, and visitors can vote for their favourites. Posted pics of my favourite pieces!

Open and Informative walk and talk Fantastic tour with Jake. Very informative and interesting learning about the Yarra, Birrarung Marr, stories, asking questions about his nation and correct terminology. Very approachable and open to answer any questions. Not a lot of walking distance involved, but you do use the steps up and down from Federation Square. Was so interesting and Jake was so informative also on the weapons used for hunting etc, went over time, but was not an issue for him or the other attendees. Thankyou..

Friendly and informative but short tour a friendly and informative 1 hour tour which seemed to centre more on the history in relation to Melbourne. nice tour guide. Left me wanting to learn so much more

This review is for the store next to the Heritage Trust.

Following on with my commitment to being “a tourist in my own town” I headed to #FederationSquare. After a few hours exploring through the labyrinth of installations, exhibitions and displays at #acmi I meandered up some stairs that popped me out at the east end of #FedSquare and into the storefront of the #kooriheritagetrust store.
The skill and talent of the artisans is not to be under estimated.
The majority of the work on display designed from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with a strong focus on southern parts of Australia.
The well curated pieces sold support the artists and designers directly.
Grounded in a 60,000 year history it’s comforting to see this authentic work be honoured at Fed Square.
Thank you to the lovely Dayna who multitasked by sharing her knowledge of the store and weaving her own creation.
Highly recommend a visit to explore, discover, learn and appreciate our First Nations history.

#tripadvisor #tripadvisorreview #tripadvisorreviewer #googlelocalguide #googlelicalguides #letsguide
#thewanderingreviewer
@fed.square #shopkht #cityofmelbourne @cityofmelbourne #FedSquare @CityofMelbourne #IndigenousArt #AboriginalArt @koorieheritagetrust

Wonderful place to celebrate the cultural heritage of the area. Attended the Koorie Art Show 12 which had fantastic artworks. Free entry. A must see in Naarm (Melbourne).

Insightful and active way to learn more about local First Nations culture and history My team and I did the Birrarung Wilam Walk and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to listen to our guide Isabel's deep knowledge of the environment and history. Isabel was generous answering questions and we all learnt so much about country and the traditional owners. Highly recommend for both visitors and those living and working on Wurundjeri land

Cultural lessons with historical background The tour showed us an array of traditional tools, some instruments and a map of indigenous countries around Australia. We walked along the river side where we learned about how the colonists remapped Melbourne and gave the river an inaccurate misnomer. I think the tour could been longer with more of a set schedule and perhaps an additional section of Q&A with an archivist or historian. A refreshing break from the education without representation we had been experiencing in our visit to Australia. This felt necessary and truly like an unmissable activity for anyone interested in learning more about the Aboriginal and Indigenous history. This is something that stuck with me and that I would recommend.

Didn't quite see the point of the place. Went in expecting to learn about the history and see some artifacts which at least we're created before the 21st century. Maybe that was not the purpose. Anyway, was in and out in 15 min

Disappointing Yarra River walking tour We went on the Yarra River walking tour and were disappointed by the experience. First, we hardly went any distance at all from the Trust building. The guide needed better training as he delivered his stories at top speed and low audibility. He couldn't answer some of the questions and was not as well informed as we would have expected.

A must see tour in Naarm It was a really great walking tour along the river and into the KHT building. I was interested to hear about the history of the environment and landscape before colonisation, as well as hearing about how the indigenous language groups and culture grows and evolves.

The Boonwurrung people and their connection to the river that was misnamed as the ‘Yarra’ Our guide Jake was extremely knowledgeable and communicated well. The tour provides you with an excellent understanding of Birrarung Marr ( aka Yarra River), its significance for the Boonwurrung people and how it was utilised as a resource. You also learn about various artefacts, how they were made and their purpose. I can highly recommend this one hour tour.

Fun and informative Half of the one hour talk was spent outside in surrounding parkland where we were shown some modern artwork. Second half inside the centre where we saw and handled some indigenous items. Talk and answers to questions were informative and delivered with humour. Thanks Lily.

Learn about Victorian Aboriginal culture and history-awesome walk and talk Our tour guide was fabulous. Very knowledgeable and generous in sharing that, and answering any questions we had. We learnt so much and our knowledge of Aboriginal culture and history was expanded vastly. We also learnt more about the Yarra River and that the MCG was the meeting place of the 5 tribes of the Kulin nation. The whole experience was awesome

Colorful exhibition full of knowledge about aboriginal art and way of life.

We came here for a Heritage walk - very interesting tour and extremely insightful into the culture, beliefs and ways of life of aboriginal peoples. The gallery is very nice and gives an opportunity to local artists to exhibit. Really recommend it!

Amazing Place the Koorie Heritage Trust is a must-visit for anyone interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The welcoming atmosphere, curated exhibitions, and engaging storytelling sessions offer a fascinating glimpse into the richness of Indigenous heritage. From traditional artworks to contemporary installations, every display is thoughtfully presented, highlighting the diversity and resilience of First Nations peoples. The trust also hosts workshops and events, fostering dialogue and understanding within the community. Don't miss the opportunity to support Indigenous artists by browsing their unique creations in the gift shop. Overall, a visit to the Koorie Heritage Trust is an enlightening and inspiring experience, celebrating the cultural tapestry of Australia.

Undertook Cultural Safety Training here and it was wonderful and so informative. Our teacher Tim was absolutely brilliant and very engaging. I'm so grateful for the insight and wisdom that was shared.
Also visited the gift shop after and it is lovely, lots of beautiful things to buy!

Incredible, educational and entertaining interactive engagement This was probably the highlight of my visit for the Australian Tennis opens. I learnt so much from the guide, Kieran who is a Koorie man. The First Nation perspectives and deep knowledge was both sobering and full of hope. I have great respect for the ancient civilization and also admire the colonist government’s new found remorse and willingness to take responsibility for the brutal past and work on some form of reconciliation. I also developed a different perspective of what it means to claim your spiritual ancestry even when your phenotype may suggest otherwise. This tour should be a must for anyone remotely interested in Australian history

Insightful and friendly Our guide took the time to share his story, and explain in detail the importance of the land and communities in Melbourne. He was respectful and considerate of the questions asked in the group and was very informative.
It's a short walk and in the elements of Melbourne so bring a hat, umbrella & sun screen. There were stairs so if there are mobility issues I would call ahead to discuss.

Insightful and friendly Our guide took the time to share his story, and explain in detail the importance of the land and communities in Melbourne. He was respectful and considerate of the questions asked in the group and was very informative.
It's a short walk and in the elements of Melbourne so bring a hat, umbrella & sun screen. There were stairs so if there are mobility issues I would call ahead to discuss.

Great visit !! Loved the visit to the centre the art work was great to see and the insite gained on First Nations peoples in Melb was invaluable.
Really enjoyed it all.

Birrarung Wilam Walk We did the 1 hour Birrarung Wilam Walk at Fed Square and along Birrarung Marr facilitated by Koorie Heritage Trust.
It was excellent. The facilitator was very personable and respectful of both he and the participants being on the land of the people of the Kulin Nation.
The walk was informative and interesting and he kept it moving in the Melb heat.
The opportunity to then handle boomerangs, possum skins, a woomera and marngrook was also fabulous. The art on display upstairs was also excellent.

Quick yet informative Enjoyed learning more about the history and preservation of the aboriginal culture. Tour guide was personable and knowledgeable.

Rich history & beautiful culture We booked our walking tour with the Trust at the last minute and managed to secure one of the 40-odd spots for the day. It's not a very far walk, so it's perfect for participants of all ages. The hour is understandably not nearly enough time to get a deep understanding of the ancient, rich culture and history of first nations groups in the area--but our guide (Lily) was very knowledgable and engaging throughout our tour. Will definitely visit the trust again, as the main exhibition and education space was opening at the end of Dec! Mahalo plenty

Koorie Heritage Trust - Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk The Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk at the Koorie Heritage Trust was fantastic! Our guide (Isabel) was very knowledgeable and shared lots of very interesting and important information about Aboriginal Melbourne and Aboriginal Victoria. It was great to learn about the specifics of Victorian Aborignal culture, history and traditions.

Fascinating tour at Koorie Heritage Trust A wonderful outdoor tour by Lily followed by presentations and explanations of Aboriginal clothing, weapons and musical instruments.

Attended a training session recently and learned so much about the indigenous cultures and heritage of Australia. Very informative. The session delivery lead was very good and open to questions.

Interesting indigenous tour in the heart of Melbourne! We walked down the Yarra bank and learnt quite a bit about the history of the indigenous tribes who lived in and around Melbourne. Our guide was very informative and helped us understand the daily life of these tribes including the various tools that were used for hunting and gathering. We even got to see and touch interesting artifacts in the Koori Heritage Centre.

Go visit! Had a great tour with Kieran, who answered patiently all of our questions.
As he mentioned, highly recommended to visit local indigenous culture tours.

Wisdom, history and humor I learned a ton on the Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk. Lilly, our guide was knowledgeable, wise and had a great sense of humor. I highly recommend this experience for anyone who is aware that we live and breathe on land that was never ceded.

History we should all learn Excellent tour! This one hour tour is very informative and is a must for any visitor to Melbourne. Kieran, the guide, is very interesting and a pleasure to listen to what he has to say on the important history of this area, and how this remains relevant today.

Indigenous tour in heart of Melbourne Our guide lead us down to the Yarra bank where we looked at various tools used by local people for millennia We then had the opportunity to learn more about various artifacts in the Koori Centre. It was amazing to see and touch a possum cloak. Lily, our guide, also gave a performance on the didgeridoo. Stunning.

Sunshine, birdsong and generous cultural insights Thoroughly enjoyed this gentle walk along the bank of the Birrarung (Yarra) river. The beautiful spring sunshine, birdsong and murmur of the water offered a fitting backdrop for the generous cultural insights shared by our guide Kieran. A great way to build knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the constantly evolving history of the Birrarung Wilam site. A very worthwhile experience which I'd recommend .

A good place to go if you want to know more about the indigenous people of the area, the Koorie. There is a 1 hour tour that takes you around the local area and shows you artefacts used by the Koorie. The guide was knowledgeable and very passionate about the subject.

Items show fine craftsmanship The Koori Heritage Trust displays items from the culture and history of Victoria's indigenous people. Many of the items show great craftsmanship. The gift shop should not be overlooked, it has many beautiful pieces that make fine souvenirs. The Koorie Heritage Trust is located at the southern end of Fed Square. The Koorie Heritage Trust in open daily. Entry is free.

The walking tour was really great! The hour-long was hosted by Kieran and took us to the banks of the Birrarung and then back to the Koorie Heritage Trust. Kieran explained everything really well and was paitent and encouraging with our questions. Well worth signing up if you're keen to learn more about First Nations culture and history in the Melbourne area.

Our guide was super friendly and told about everything in great detail

Time to Reflect The rating is more a reflection of the time we went. It is under renovation so there was only restricted articles on display, in a temporary area so it took away a bit.

The articles are fascinating and take us to a point that as a non-indigenous Australian, I am not proud of. I can only hope that by shining a light on the first nation's culture that we can help correct the past.

Visit, reflect, learn, enjoy.

Not to miss if interested in local history Very informative talk, very well executed. Fun to listen to. It was my second time and I enjoyed it again.

A lovely way to spend an hour in central Melbourne A surprisingly chill tour, she described life before and after colonization, . Definitely set aside time to check out the gallery, which has lots of items to check out.

Walking Tour - Birrarung Wilam (Koorie Heritage Trust) We had an amazing time at the Koorie Heritage Trust.
We went for one of their walks and our tour guide Kieran was nothing short of amazing. Very well spoken and was great at relaying detail and information to us. He was extremely friendly and he ensured we had an all around good time!

We learnt so much about Aboriginal culture and got to hold real life artefacts the aboriginals used for hunting. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to go.
10/10

Amazing That's an amazing culture walk,thanks for Lucas's professional introduction,hope can get involved in more activity from Koorie.

Conveniently located It will very much depend on what's on during your visit. There is a tiny permanent collection on the ground floor and a shop to buy some Indigenous tourist items but the main reason to visit are the changing exhibits.

It is conveniently located - basically every tourist to Melbourne will be strolling through Federation Square at some point and there are plenty of places to eat etc nearby. I got free entry but the displays were limited.