Tunapri

TO KNOW, LEARN AND UNDERSTAND

This is our resource and information page. It features itineraries, activities and recommended resources should you wish to learn more about our history and culture.

We’ve included a lot of information relevant to the locations in which we operate as well.  

Our aim here is to provide you with local information that will be prove useful at any point in your journey across Lutruwita/Tasmania.

Contents (click to jump to section)

Discover Nipaluna

A guide to Aboriginal experiences around Nipaluna /Hobart​

In an attempt to showcase unique opportunities to experience Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture, below we’ve highlighted five diverse activities for learning and connection within the greater Hobart area. These experiences are suitable and engaging for locals and visitors alike.

This itinerary can also be downloaded as a pdf here.

1. takara nipaluna / Walking Hobart

About

Guided walking tour – Delivered by Blak Led Tours Tasmania – Hobart CBD

Our flagship tour follows the route taken in 1832 by members of the Aboriginal resistance, retracing their steps as they progressed to the old Government House to negotiate an end to the Black War. 

This is a historical storytelling tour that shares the history of Lutruwita /Tasmania with a style of presentation and like no other on the market. As the only Aboriginal tour of nipaluna/Hobart, this is a must-do experience.

 

Getting there:

Tours start at Mathers House (108-110 Bathurst St) and finish at Parliament Lawns in the Salamanca precinct. Tours run for around 90 minutes and are wheelchair and pram accessible.

2. kipli takara: Bush foods walk

About

Guided walk delivered by palawa kipli (Tasmanian Aboriginal catering company), piyura kitina / Risdon Cove.

kipli takara is a 90-minute bush tucker tour offered on Aboriginal land at piyura kitina/Risdon cove.

 

This tour invites guests to walk the culturally rich landscape with palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) guides across this abundant natural pantry that has been returned to Tasmanian Aboriginal ownership since 1995.

 

Throughout this experience guests are treated to a 90-minute guided walk of this unique property, hearing about the history and current story of the area.

 

Following the walk guests enjoy catering provided by Palawa Kipli crafted in their on-site commercial kitchen.

Location:

Tours take place on Aboriginal land on Hobart’s Eastern Shore. The address for piyura kitina is 838 East Derwent Highway

For more information and bookings visit the palawa kipli website:

www.palawakipli.com

3. takara limuna / She Oak Walk

About

Sculpture and interpretation trail. Bedlam Walls / Shag Bay. Eastern Shore.

takara limuna is a trail of art and interpretation panels, telling stories of Tasmanian Aboriginal history and connection to the landscape.

The track is accessed via the Shag Bay Track and set across 700 metres along the headland of Bedlam Walls. The trail features a viewing platform, a central fire pit and gathering circle.

The panels all feature the information in palawa kani (Tasmanian Aboriginal language) as well as English and include QR codes which link to audio recordings in palawa kani so that track users can listen to the interpretation in the Tasmanian Aboriginal language.

This is an easy walk for families, with panoramic views of the Derwent River throughout the length of the walk.

For more information on experience, location and parking visit:

www.ccc.tas.gov.au/community/culture-history/takara-limuna/

 

4. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

About

Free Exhibitions related to Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture. Hobart CBD.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal galleries within the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery were made with and by Tasmanian Aboriginal community and curators.

There are two permanent Aboriginal exhibitions as well as regular temporary exhibitions featuring work of Tasmanian Aboriginal artists. The TMAG children’s gallery also features Tasmanian Aboriginal language and cultural content.

ningina tunapri, TMAG’s Tasmanian Aboriginal culture gallery will provide you with a rich, enlightening and inspiring experience. The exhibition explores the journey of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and is a celebration of all Tasmanian Aboriginal generations.

Our land: parrawa parrawa! Go Away! is an immersive exhibition that tells the story of Aboriginal people and colonists following the invasion of lutruwita, now called Tasmania, focusing on the Black War.

mapiya lumi / Around Here, is TMAG’s long-term exhibition for children 0-7 years. This gallery has 7 palawa kani words for children to find throughout the gallery and a video instillation sharing the Creation Story of muyini the star spirit based on Wurati’s stories told to George Augustus Robinson in 1830.

www.tmag.tas.gov.au

5. lakapawa palawa nipaluna-ti

About

A free self-guided public art walk. Produced by Blak Led Tours Tasmania. Hobart CBD

This self-guided walk provides guests with yet another way to connect to our people’s stories here in nipaluna.

The booklet will encourage you to notice the stories held by these city streets and give you an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the artworks and the artists who created them.

The booklet features a map and directions as as well as information about the artworks you encounter and the stories behind the pieces.

The booklet can be downloaded on the Blak Led Tours website or collected at one of our partner pick up locations.

 

Recommended Resources

We’ve compiled some of our favourite resources for you to learn more about our history, culture and people. There’s a lot of misinformation out there but we will only include content that is legitimate and accurate and prioritise Aboriginal authored work. Enjoy!

Check out palawa singers DENNI and Dewayne EverettSmith who have songs in our language on all platforms.

You can see segments on Tasmanian Aboriginal tourism in Season 5 of ‘Going Places with Ernie Dingo‘ on NITV and SBS – that season features on wukalina walk in Episode 1 and Blak Led Tours in Episode 6.

 Blak Led Tours also features on Episode 7 of ‘Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro‘, also available on SBS.

There are episodes of the children’s television show ‘Little J and Big Cuz‘ on ABC iView that are acted and authored by Tasmanian Aboriginal people, some are even in our language palawa kani.

Women of the Island video by Takani Clark, Elder of Shells (film on Aunty Lola Greeno)

Michael Mansell: Treaty and Statehood: Aboriginal Self-Determination (2016) 

Adam Thompson: Born into This (2021)

Luana Towney, Muwinina Country (2021) 

Lola Greeno, Cultural Jewels (2014) 

Rex Greeno, Old Dar: My Grandfather (2022) 

Victor Steffensen: Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Help Save Australia (2020)  

Chelsea Watego: Another Day in the Colony (2021) 

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Resources:  

Mumirimina people of the Lower Jordan River Valley: www.tacinc.com.au/mumirimina-people-of-the-lower-jordan-valley  
– Information about mumirimina people 
– The story of the Oyster Bay and Big River resistance and journey in to town (group of 40): details of their resistance, views on the war and how newspapers described their journey.  

Nipaluna: www.tacinc.com.au/nipaluna  
Word history of nipaluna used for Hobart  

Palawa kani: www.tacinc.com.au/programs/palawa-kani  
History of our language and how we’ve revived it.  

Place names map  
https://tacinc.com.au/pulingina-to-lutruwita-place-names-map/  
Pulingina to lutruwita – Welcome to Tasmania place names map of 200+ Tasmanian Aboriginal places names with recordings of pronunciation so you can use true names for country.

We recommend for you to catch plays by Tasmanian Aboriginal playwrights like Nathan Maynard and Jim Everett, like those listed below. Also check out famous Tasmanian Aboriginal actor Kartanya Maynard in television and theatre performances whenever you can.

At What Cost, Nathan Maynard 

The Season, Nathan Maynard, australianplays.org  

Lyndall Ryan: Tasmanian Aborigines – A History since 1803 (2012) 
– We like this one for a broad overview of history.

 

Ian Terry: Uninnocent Landscapes – Following George Augustus Robinsons Big River Mission (2023) 

Ian followed George Robinson’s journeys across our country negotiating the end of the war with our old people. The book presents beautiful photographs of landscapes of Lutruwita/Tasmania alongside quotes from Robinson’s journals, highlighting how much change and environmental degradation that has occured since the journals were written. It also features essays by palawa people like Greg Lehman, Rebecca Digney and Nunami Sculthorpe-Green

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery  

  • Our Land: parrawa parrawa! Go Away!: Immersive exhibition covering conflict between Tasmanian Aboriginal people and colonists from invasion onwards. Focusing on the Black War – from both perspectives.  
  • Ningina tunapri: exhibition telling the ongoing story of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and is a celebration of all generations – broadly covers history as well as cultural knowledge and practices.  

State Government Education Resource: 
The Orb – Video resources and educational activities covering Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural practices and heritage.
https://www.theorb.tas.gov.au/ 

City of Melbourne:
‘Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner:  The involvement of Aboriginal people from Tasmania in key events of early Melbourne’

If you are looking for more Aboriginal expereinces in Lutruwita, we recommend you check out other local Blak businesses.

Wukalina Walk is a premium four day walk through wukalina national park in the north east of Lutruwita/Tasmania. Established in 2018, owned and led by Tasmanian Aboriginal people Wukalina is a state and national gold winner in the Aboriginal tourism category and offers the experience of a lifetime.

Palawa Kipli is the only Aboriginal owned and operated catering company in the state. Now run by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, palawa kipli offers employment and experience for young palawa people, while serving high quality and delicious native foods. They offer native bush food experiences and tours on Aboriginal land at piyura kitina/Risdon Cove. You can also find them at events like the Dark Mofo Winter Feast throughout the year.

Nayri Niara is an Aboriginal-owned social enterprises that offers a multitude of programs and experiences including festivals, workshops and markets and retreats. Nayri niara centres wellness and culture and is able to training and employment for young Aboriginal people as well. 

About Our tour locations

Below you will find area and amenity information related to our tours and their locations.

1. takara nipaluna/Walking Hobart:
Hobart CBD

Our takara nipaluna tour begins outside Mathers House, off Bathurst Street (108-110 Bathurst Street).

There is parking across the Street at the Hobart Central Car Park and the main metro bus stop is just around the corner on Elizabeth street. That bus stop is park of the ‘Turn up and Go‘ Service. With buses coming every 10 minutes on weekdays.

There are great places to stop for lunch or coffee all within one block of our start location. 

Our tour ends at Parliament lawns, within the Salamanca and waterfront precinct. The famous Salamanca market is next door to the lawns and there as an abundance of parking, food, beverage and entertainment options in the area.

Our route is fully accessible and there is an accessible restroom provided as part of the tour. Our route takes us past the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Brooke Street Pier for those wishing to catch a ferry to MONA or a bus up to Kunanyi as well.

2. mumara patrula / wood for the fire
Kettering

Our mumara patrula tour begins at the Trial Bay boat ramp at Kettering. We follow the Kettering Point walking track that leads to the Lunawuni / Bruny Island Ferry terminal and is very convenient for those wishing to make a stop on their way to the island. Trial Bay is 2 minutes past the ferry terminal and the view is spectacular. 

There is also a toilet and picnic bench to enjoy the view. The Kettering cafe and the Oyster Cove Inn are both a very short drive away and offer great lunch and snack options.

The track and toilet is not accessible for wheelchairs and prams but the boat ramp itself provides wonderful scenic views.

South of Nipaluna

Many know of the great activities to do on Lunawuni but there are also fantastic options south of Nipaluna / Hobart and the lunawuni /Bruny island ferry terminal.

1. Kingborough

We recommend stopping in at the Kingborough Hub which has one of the best playgrounds in the state and features art by Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Allan Mansell.

Kingston Beach is a great place to swim and also has great restaurants, our favourite is Zero81 Napoli who offer great handmade pasta and woodfired pizza for dine in and takeaway. 

Why not stop in to see the beautiful Snug Falls on your way to Kettering as well.

2. Art Farm Birchs Bay

Just past our mumara patrula location is the Art Farm Birchs Bay. While there you can walk around their permanent sculpture trail that is regularly updated as part of their summer art prize. The landscapes are beautiful and features views across to Lunawuni and the ocean. Their free audio tour features respected palawa woman June Sculthorpe who provides a Welcome and gives cultural context to the landscape.

3. Elsewhere Sauna

Elsewhere Sauna is a bespoke and mobile sauna. Always by the saltwater for a cold plunge, this is a wellness experience not to be missed.  Every sunday the sauna is located at Randall’s Bay, just 35 minutes drive from Kettering. Selena who runs the sauna will guide you through experience, offering face and body scrubs and natural tea infusions to make the most of your experience. We think this is a must do.

4. Geeveston and Franklin

If you are on the way to the specular Hartz mountain or are exploring the other side of the channel, make sure to stop in to Franklin and Geeveston – accessible from Kettering via Nichols Rivulet. We recommend stopping in to Cinnamon and Cherry in Franklin, it’s a small Turkish cafe overlooking the Huon River that offers delicious dips, baked goods and small bites.

In Geeveston the real hidden gem is Masaaki Sushi. Sushi Chef Masaaki trained in Osaka and made the move from Japan to rural Tasmania. His sushi is world class, fresh and seasonal. He offers chef’s selections box sets of Sushi every saturday and sunday until sold out. It’s a cult favourite for locals and visitors alike and a food experience you do not want to miss! We like to grab a box of sushi and heat to the Egg Islands Wetlands Reserve between Franklin and Geeveston (location) to eat our lunch on the Huon River.

DOnate / Get Involved

If you are looking at ways to get involved – below is information for Aboriginal organisations close to my heart that I would encourage everyone to support. For more information check out their websites and please consider donating. 

Giving Land Back: 

  • For the first time ever Lutruwita/Tasmania’s Aboriginal Community is asking for help to return land that was never ceded. 
    With less than 1% of Tasmania’s landmass returned as Aboriginal Land, everybody knows that more needs to be done. 
    You can help. Giving Land Back is our invitation for your support, to help return private freehold land into Aboriginal ownership. 
  • Give a tax deductible donation so we can raise the funds needed to purchase important blocks of land. 
  • Gift land directly to the Aboriginal Community for us to steward, manage and share. 
  • Bequest land or funding in your will, to secure future returns and justice for Aboriginal people. 
    Giving land back is a campaign run by the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania:
  • https://www.givinglandback.org/
 

 Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC): 

  • The peak Aboriginal community organisation in Lutruwita/Tasmania. The TAC runs land management on all Aboriginal owned land, operates a full-service health care provider, children, youth and aged care programs, international ancestorial repatriation and language revival/teaching programs, social and emotional well-being programs all on a state-wide basis. The TAC also operates the only Aboriginal Registered training organisation in the state – in 2021 offering health and tourism courses for young Aboriginal people,  
  • The TAC is the only Aboriginal organisation to successfully and continuously mount social justice campaigns for our people. 
  • Get involved and donate here: www.tacinc.com.au