YOUR EXPERIENCE PROVIDER
Whale Watching Sydney is bringing back their popular and unique Aboriginal Whale Watching Experience during the peak of the southern migration in October.
Join us for an incredible 3 hour whale watching cruise with an Aboriginal Elder who will share their stories about Gurawil the whale and its importance to the Aboriginal communities with you. Discover the connection and responsibility of Aboriginal communities to this important animal.
This is a 3 hour premium whale watching cruise onboard Sydney’s best whale watching boat, Ocean Dreaming 2, custom built for whale watching with 3 levels of outside viewing decks.
Along the east coast of New South Wales, the presence of whales in Aboriginal culture is embedded in many forms, from Dreaming stories to whales recognised as totem animals for various language groups. There are many significant sites of artwork depicting whales – particularly around Sydney.
An Aboriginal Elder and Aboriginal guide will lead you through the cruise and share their stories of land, water and sky which have been passed down from Aboriginal ancestors. Passengers can also participate in an ancient whale song to summon the whales.
Meet your Aboriginal Elders
Aunty Barb
Throughout the years Aunty Barb has used her wealth of knowledge of culture to provide talks and education on the local area; beaches, nature trails and bush tucker.
She provides rich cultural mentoring to too many people and organisations to name individually and has also in the past provided cultural awareness training in GP practices in the Eastern Suburbs and Sutherlandshire.
In 2012 Aunty Barb received the Pauline McLeod Award from the Eastern Region Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum. The award recognises “silent achievers” who have worked diligently in promoting Reconciliation through their selfless acts with a desire to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dean Kelly
Dean Kelly is a renowned Aboriginal tour guide and has been awarded for organizing cultural camps and imparting intergenerational knowledge to the indigenous youth. He has also been involved with various indigenous community activities.
Les Mcleod
Les McLeod is a Yuin, Dharawal and Ngarigo custodian working with Taronga Zoo, Discovery Ranger Kuringai NP, Kadoo Tours and Tribal Warrior.
Calita Murray
As a cultural facilitator Calita like's educating all people about Aboriginal history and culture, as it’s important to her. Calita is also passionate about supporting young Aboriginal youth to maintain a strong sense of cultural identity and values through her work as an educator.
Calita is honoured to share the knowledge of the whale Dreaming that was passed onto her through Elder and Cultural Teacher the Late Uncle Max Harrison.
This experience is running in October 2022
Departs Darling Harbour - Aquarium Wharf at 8:30am and 12:45pm
Vessel Features
Sydney Harbour and open ocean outside Sydney Heads.