Melbourne: Aboriginal Heritage Walk at Royal Botanic Gardens

4.81

(403 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the smell first—something earthy and sharp, like eucalyptus but softer. We’d barely stepped into the Royal Botanic Gardens when our guide, Aunty Joy, greeted us with “Womin djeka.” She smiled and waited for us to try saying it back (I definitely mangled it). The light was gentle that morning, not too hot yet, and there was this hush under the big trees. I hadn’t realized how close these gardens are to the city until I heard trams in the distance—then just birds again.

Aunty Joy showed us a tree whose leaves you can crush for medicine. She passed one around; my fingers smelled peppery after. Someone asked if people still use these plants today and she just nodded—“Every day.” It hit me then how much history sits in plain sight here. Kids ran past on a school trip, their teacher whispering to keep quiet. We learned which roots were food, which bark made tools. At one point she laughed at my attempt to say another word in her language—honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get those sounds right.

The walk wasn’t long—maybe an hour or so—but it felt like we’d stepped sideways into someone else’s story for a bit. There was something grounding about hearing her talk about Country while standing on that soft grass. The sun came out stronger by the end and I noticed how everyone lingered instead of rushing off. I left thinking about what it means to really belong somewhere—not sure I have an answer yet.