Melbourne’s Indigenous Heart: Koorie Heritage Trust Walk, Gallery and Shop
Melbourne’s indigenous heritage is beating strong at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square, and you’re invited to step inside.
Koorie Heritage Trust is an indigenous hub that celebrates and preserves the living culture of the Aboriginal people of Victoria. With an art gallery, shop, and aboriginal heritage walking tour, visitors have the opportunity to connect with Country in a meaningful, modernised experience.
>> Head straight to our personal tidbits and accessibility advice for Koorie Heritage Trust
Koorie Heritage Trust Walk
Discover the significance of Birrarung Marr and its transformation over time, on a Koorie Heritage Trust Walk. The guided tour provides a deeper understanding of this vital meeting place and the rich culture woven into the city’s fabric.
Led by experienced Koorie guides, the aboriginal heritage walk takes you from Federation Square down to the Birrarung Wilam Aboriginal art installations. Hear stories and insights into the Kulin Nation’s heritage along the way, finishing up at the art gallery.
The walking tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and is a short walk of around 600 metres roundtrip. There are several stops along the way (standing) and the final 10 minutes of the tour is presented back at the Koorie Heritage Trust seated in a small room.
Our Review
Our “Seniors in Melbourne” exploration is taking us on many interesting jaunts, and up there with the most memorable is the afternoon spent around the Koorie Heritage Trust.
Walking from Flinders Street Station across Federation Square, I couldn’t help remembering that this wonderful, much-frequented, public open space, was inaccessible railway yards not that long ago.
Towards the Yarra (Birrarung) side of the square there is a modern contemporary building that houses the Koorie Heritage Trust where we met our guide for the Indigenous Walking Tour.
After commencing with a broad outline of the diversity in Indigenous culture, our Koorie guide led us to a path at the edge of the river. The short walk along the path was interspersed with stops as our guide explained different features relating to the culture of the original inhabitants, the Wurundjeri people.
I was enthralled as topics ranged from different types of boomerangs and fishing methods to social interactions. One installation of note was a semicircle with metal shields that artistically symbolise the five people-groups that circle Melbourne and make up the Kulin Nation.
The tour, of about 60 minutes, was an engrossing way to connect with our pre-European history.
We returned for a look through the Birrarung Building in Federation Square. This home of the Koorie Heritage Trust offices also features a collection of Koorie artefacts, a shop and a gallery that highlights contemporary Koorie artists.
It’s unexpected and sobering to realise, having recently looked through some of Melbourne’s oldest buildings and brushing against our Settlement history of a couple of centuries, that the heritage connected with this modern contemporary building in Federation Square represents a culture that goes back many thousands of years.
– Chris
Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery
Melbourne’s indigenous art gallery opens up the fascinating world of the Koorie people, the traditional owners of Victoria, and their art, stories, and traditions.
With a program of permanent and touring art exhibitions, the Koorie Heritage Trust focuses on promoting Victorian First Peoples art. The gallery is a unique opportunity to connect with the past and present of Australia’s First Peoples in a vibrant and educational setting.
An extensive collection of books, documents, and photographs are available at the Trust’s library and archive. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about Aboriginal culture, the library offers a wealth of resources to satisfy your thirst for knowledge.
Our Review
After the most delicious meal at Mabu Mabu, we met up just outside for a Koorie Heritage Trust walking tour. The tour guide took us down along the Yarra River and explained some history about Koorie culture and language that I never knew. Very interesting and informative, giving me a better knowledge of the Koorie people. It was not a long walk.
Making our way back to Federation Square, we then entered the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery which, again, was amazing. The artwork was very colourful, and the exhibition by Josh Muir was incredible. His paintings all told stories but something I had never seen before was having an iPad device that when you held it up and pointed towards certain paintings on pillars, they just came alive and moved! Amazing.
– Terrie
Our Review
I’ve been to the Koorie Heritage Trust exhibitions twice now and will make this a regular stopping place on my outings in Melbourne. It’s so easy to get off the train at Flinders Street and walk over to Federation Square to the KHT.
The artwork is always inspiring. I love the deep, meaningful stories that accompany each piece. My most recent visit was to see the “Spirit of the Animals” exhibition which included both paintings and sculpture. Animals are an important part of Creation and Creation stories for First Peoples’ and are considered very sacred within first nations and clan groups.
– Terrie
Shop Koorie
Discover a treasure trove of authentic Aboriginal art, crafts, and gifts at the Koorie Shop, located within the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square.
From intricate artworks and jewelry to textiles and homewares, each item tells a story of Indigenous culture and heritage. By supporting the Koorie Shop, visitors not only take home a piece of Aboriginal artistry but also contribute to the preservation and promotion of Koorie heritage.
Big Esso, Mabu Mabu
Round off your experience with the flavours of indigenous cuisine at Big Esso, Mabu Mabu located right next door to Koorie Heritage Trust. Savour dishes like pumpkin damper and grilled prawns, all bursting with native ingredients.
Experience warm hospitality, vibrant surroundings, and the chance to bring home artisan pantry products. Genuinely, an authentic dining adventure like no other. Read all about our recent visit here.
Entry and Accessibility
Open daily from 10 am – 5 pm, entry to the Koorie Heritage Trust gallery is free.
The Koorie Heritage Trust Walk runs on weekdays at 1 pm, at the adult price of $40 while seniors pay just $20.
Getting to the Koorie Heritage Trust art gallery is easy via public transport as it’s within 200 metres of the Flinders Street Station transport hub.
Access to the Level 2 and 3 galleries is via an escalator (going up only) or 23 steps with handrails. Lift access is available, if required see the front desk on the ground floor or phone 03 8662 6300 before your visit. Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are available.
Tidbits for Visiting Koorie Heritage Trust
- KHT Art Gallery open daily from 10 am – 5 pm;
- Entry to the gallery is free;
- Find authentic Aboriginal art, crafts, gifts, and more at the Koorie Shop;
- Indigenous walking tours go for approximately 60 minutes and run on weekdays at 1pm, the adult price is $40 while seniors pay just $20;
- There are several stops (standing) along the walking tour and the final 10 minutes of the tour is presented back at the Koorie Heritage Trust while seated in a small room;
- Book lunch at Big Esso, Mabu Mabu located right next door.
Accessibility Koorie Heritage Trust
- The KHT gallery, shop, and walking tours are wheelchair accessible;
- Access to the Level 2 and 3 galleries is via an escalator (going up only) or 23 steps with handrails.
- Lift access and accessible bathrooms are available;
- Koorie Heritage Trust is located at Birrarung Building, Federation Square;
- Getting there is easy via public transport within 200 metres of Flinders Street Station.
Koorie Heritage Trust,
Yarra Building, Federation Square, Cnr Swanston & Flinders Streets
03 8662 6300 koorieheritagetrust.com.au
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
