The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour
The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour
The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour
5
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About
Be touched by the most ancient human culture on earth in a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks, and journey into DreamTime, the culture of Aboriginal People. Get inspired as you discover the oldest ecology, conservation, sustainability, astrology and spiritual beliefs on earth today. Connect with Australian skies, lands and waters, and the experiences of 'always walking Country'. Feel empowered by learning how to teach others to navigate DreamTime pathways, whenever, in the city or out in the bush.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
306 reviews
Excellent
277
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
5
Terrible
6
Will R
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Business
Our tour guide, Margaret, was very informative. She led us around the Rocks area while conveying a variety of details about her aboriginal culture and history. We greatly appreciate her time in guiding our group of thirty people and being an engaging speaker.
Thanks Margaret!
Thanks Margaret!
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to send back this feedback.
Written 9 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trish D
4 contributions
Jan 2020
I just undertook this tour Saturday 24th January. I found it to be very interesting and informative. Amanda the Tour Guide was a wealth of knowledge. Her Dream Time Stories of her ancestors and spirtis gave me a feeling of elation. Its a shame more Australians do not participate in the tour. And as Australians we could learn a lot if we took on their respect for our animals, land and resources. Trish
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidjari Trish,
Thank you so much for letting u know how you enjoyed our Aboriginal culture Tour.
Amanda is one of the as we say " deadly " culture ambassadors for our culture here in our EORA sunrise saltwater belonging ( now known as Sydney).
We agree entirely with what you say, all locals at some time should all learn about these Dreamtime Stories that are embedded deeply in our environment - landscapes, including the always reminder to us in the basic daily rise of sun and moon. Two of many of our Ancestral Creation Custodian Spirits.
Written 27 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susie W
Portsmouth, UK11 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Just loved this tour, James made the past come alive, learning about the aboriginal map and traditions, he was so informative and also very humorous, we learnt so much in the 90 mins.
It was very humbling to learn how the aboriginal culture was so at one with the environment and devastating to learn how all the knowledge was swept aside in pursuit of ownership of land and profit.
Thank you James absolutely brilliant.
It was very humbling to learn how the aboriginal culture was so at one with the environment and devastating to learn how all the knowledge was swept aside in pursuit of ownership of land and profit.
Thank you James absolutely brilliant.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate your kind words about our tour here in Sydney city. James is our very experienced Cultural guide although I refer to him as an Ambassador fir our Dreamtime Knowledge.
Again many thanks
Written 14 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Henry M
6 contributions
Jan 2020
Our group took the tour last Wednesday and we were greatly disappointed. The guide said very little and when I asked questions about sights along the way she said it was not on the tour so she would not comment. I thought we would lean something about the aboriginal culture but she knew so little. She showed pictures from an portfolio of pictures she carried and said as little as she could and moved on quickly. the tour lasted 75 minutes because she was also baby sitting with a young girl. I would skip this tour and just read up on the aboriginal culture. A long walk with little culture shared.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidjari (hello) henrymQ4609CR,
Thank you for taking the time to give your feedback on the Tour.
I of course am always open to how best to improve on my Tour, and welcome feedback.
The Tour in question was in fact on the Friday 10th January 2020 and not wednesday 8th January.
Other people also attended the tour, booked by Agent, and people booked direct Online.
I am sorry you and your wife, didn't enjoy it.
Your disappointment in why Amanda the Aboriginal Guide, seemed unwilling to respond to your question. Let me shed some light on that. I have instructed and trained all my Guides NOT to engage in any commentary about the english invasion of this area(The Rocks), and wider Sydney. My Tour showcases Aboriginal Dreamtime cultural content only. And as the Aboriginal Elder and owner of the Tour, the guide was following my instructions.
Furthermore, henrymQ4609CR, in all advertising promotions marketing collateral on website or to Agents about my Tour, never have I promoted my tours will interpret any layer of the english heritage. Your question about the military cannon equipment (directly under the southern pylon) of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,was inappropriate. My Aboriginal Guide stayed focused on the cultural content only because of key cultural connections. i) Tarra is its Aboriginal name, ii) holds source supply of white ochre and rock engraving of large whale and Dreamtime sky characters deeply embedded in mother earth, iii) was totally destroyed during the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. iv) Pictorial image showcase is evidence of our Cultural use and practices of white ochre and our 60+thousand year old - rock engravings.
Comprehension of any content be it delivered on a walkabout tour or elsewhere, requires focus and respectful listening. During our Aboriginal Welcome Ceremony at the start of tour, Guides explain a use of one line of white ochre placed on the left/right wrists of tour visitors. Tarra, the exact site you questioned about, where the english military cannons are placed is connected to that use. Focus on hearing about the history of the english military cannons which didnt come, our cultural interpretation of that site may have been lost in translation?
With regards to your feedback on "babysitting".
Babysitting an Aboriginal youth of 11years, on school holidays, and, attending the Tour to gain some work experience - in Tourism? Mmm, I'm sorry you and your wife didnt "get that comprehension".
I am a 25year veteran working in the australian tourism industry, specifically Sydney. Agents booking my tour experiences have experienced the cultural knowledge and content in each tour experience offered. I am known for this authenticity and integrity, and, not a babysitting service.
Finally, in my experience over past 50years, any australian authors writing books about Aboriginal people and our culture's, consist mainly of white anglos saxon male protestant's, who, similarly, have failed to fully interpret the cultural significance when they write about us and our culture and the connections to sites places on and within the environment and landscape.
So henrymQ4609CR, given your knowledge of Aboriginal history and the limited number of legitimate authors, good luck in finding the books written by Aboriginal authors, that you are recommending people to buy, to read and learn about us.
I will await your Agents formal complaint and payment ( I invoice them end of month) of course am 100% happy to fully refund you and your wife's costs.
Written 12 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
simonebaron
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Jan 2020
This 90 minute tour told you the truths about how the aboriginal people lived, their beliefs and interesting facts around nature, their lives, their culture etc. Our guide Amanda was well spoken, had a great sense of humour and was such a fantastic guide. I would recommend this tour to everyone - very minimal steps, although it is 90 minutes long it probably covers less than 1km walking. Every Australian should do this tour.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you.
Yes we agree all Australians should take this tour.
Much appreciated.
Written 23 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mishellbo
North Ryde, Australia196 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
An enlightening, educational tour full of history and our connectedness to Mother Earth. Aunty Margret was engaging, passionate and imparted inspiring knowledge to adults and children alike. She was very patient with our inquisitive 6 year old! It was wonderful and calming to walk around The Rocks, even in the rain, and learn about the local history which spans tens of thousands of years. We have so much more we want to learn about indigenous Australian culture and this has piqued our interest and motivation to do so. Thank you so much, highly recommended.
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa B
1 contribution
Nov 2022
Loved the tour. Aboriginal guide was so helpful, educational and willing to share his precious cultural knowledge.
Would recommend this tour for anyone wanting to engage with integrity with local Aboriginal culture and heritage.
Would recommend this tour for anyone wanting to engage with integrity with local Aboriginal culture and heritage.
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CathyGri
Newark-on-Trent, UK281 contributions
Jan 2020
Our tour guide was Amanda. We met at Cadman's cottage for the start of our tour which was supposed to last 90 minutes but was over after 75 minutes including the guide taking a photo of the group at the end of our tour. We were shown the aboriginal map showing the different tribes and the regions where they lived. We were told about how closely the aboriginal culture was at one with the environment and how the aborigines actively practised sustainable management of food sources and other resources all those years ago. We went on a short walk around the Rocks stopping at several points to hear features of aboriginal culture. Although the tour provided a useful background on the aboriginal culture in Sydney, we were encouaged to ask questions which were not answered in any depth beyond our existing knowledge. We felt the tour was overpriced for what it was.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you CathyGirl for letting me know you did not enjoy my tour.
Could you please let me know what DATE you are referring to here.
I will investigate with Amanda and see what happened.
But I will need the date of the tour you refer to.
Much appreciated.
Written 16 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jan Ewert
St. Ives, Australia1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Family
Amanda took us on a journey, that wove ancient history, her own background and contemporary themes together in a way that will stay with us for a long time. For 90 minutes we were mesmerised: it made us see our surroundings in a new light; it made us pay attention to details we had previously missed; it gave us insights into the challenges of preserving Aboriginal culture; and it highlighted how principles such as sustainability were already cultivated 80,000 years ago by the traditional custodians of this land. What we learnt from Amanda should really be part of regular school curriculum in Australia. Thank you for the wonderful experience.
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam E
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Business
This is one of the most incredible indigenous tours I have been on in over 20 years of tourism. The emotional connection aunty created with us with her teaching of her peoples heritage and connection to "the mother" was heartfelt and incredibly touching. The way she connected modern life to the rich cultural history to help us understand it so much better and very effective in getting across her story as I beleive it was intended to be understood. Thank you, will recommend for sure.
Written 8 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the pace of this tour? I walk slowly using a walking cane so if the pace is quick I would not be able to keep up.
Written 15 November 2019
MargretCampbell2000
Sydney, Australia
Its slow and easy pace on street surfaces. A few steps but OK.
Written 5 January 2020
Wat zijn de kosten voor deze dagtour en kunnen we boeken op 3 januari?
Written 23 December 2018
MargretCampbell2000
Sydney, Australia
Hi Thank you for your interest in our tour. Yes, you can book on January 3rd. It's $44 a head. Bookings at The-Rocks-Aboriginal-Dreaming-Tour
Please note, the tour is run in English. Hope to see you soon
Written 24 December 2018
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