Zoom In To Country

Journey to several significant sites around Australia and discover their stories through a First Nations lens

By Welcome to Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future

Welcome To My Country (2021) by Blackfisch Pty ltdOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Video Gallery

Welcome to My Country

AIATSIS map of Indigenous AustraliaNational Portrait Gallery

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the custodians of the land we now know as 'Australia' and are the world’s oldest continuing cultures. They’re the knowledge holders of how it was formed and is still cared for today. The AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia is a visual reminder of the diversity and richness of First Nations Australia and its many different Nations or Countries.

There is no better way to experience this connection than by walking on Country with the custodians and hearing their stories.

Zoom in to First Nations Australia and join our cultural tour guides to experience the land and the stories they carry.

Gadigal Country

On the East Coast is Australia's most populous city, recognised around the world for its iconic bridge, opera house, and harbour. To many, it's known as Sydney but this is the Country of the Gadigal People - the traditional custodians of the land and one of around 29 clan groups of the Eora Nation (with Eora meaning ‘here’ or ‘from this place’).

Gadigal culture is both rich and vibrant and can be found even today in the heart of this contemporary city. Join guides, Aunty Margret and Renee Cawthorne, to discover the hidden Indigenous culture behind this iconic facade. 

Explore Gadical Country

Djugun Yawuru Country

In the North West of Western Australia lies the coastal town known as Broome, famous for its pristine sandy beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. To the Traditional Owners of this land, the Djugun and Yawuru People, the beaches, mudflats and mangroves provide an important source of both ancient culture and food.

Join Bart Pigram for an exploration of Roebuck Bay and its unique ecosystems, saltwater seasons and bush tucker that has been part of the culture for over 50,000 years.

Explore Djugun Yawuru Country

Kuku Yalanji Country

Located in Tropical North Queensland, on the North East Coast is the only place in the world where two natural World Heritage Sites collide; Kaba Kada (the rainy place) known as the Daintree Rainforest and Uiure, the Great Barrier Reef. The Kuku Yalanji Peoples are the traditional owners of this land.

Go 'walkabout' on Country with cultural guide Juan Walker and discover the land where the rainforest meets the reef.

Kuku Yulanji Country

palawa Country

Cut off from South East Australia is the island of lutruwita known to many as Tasmania. palawa Country and culture is distinct from the mainland Aboriginal cultures. palawa people are the only group of humans to evolve in isolation for over 10,000 years, when the seas rose cutting Tasmania off from the mainland, creating a distinctly different culture and heritage.

Join our guides for an exploration of palawa Country, culture and history in the North East regions of wukalina and larapuna (the Bay of Fires) - known for the coastal healthlands, dry plant life and diverse native fauna.

Explore palawa Country

Keep exploring Country

These are just some of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups across Australia. Continue your journey learning about Aboriginal culture with Welcome to Country.

Credits: Story

Learn more about AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia:
This map attempts to represent the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia. It shows only the general locations of larger groupings of people which may include clans, dialects or individual languages in a group. It used published resources from the eighteenth century-1994 and is not intended to be exact, nor the boundaries fixed. It is not suitable for native title or other land claims. David R Horton (creator), © AIATSIS, 1996. No reproduction without permission.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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Welcome to Country
An intro to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' connection to Country
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