Bondi Aboriginal Walking Tour: Burri Burri Whale Experience

Every July, the whales return. For thousands of years, Aboriginal peoples of the Sydney coastline have marked their arrival with song, story, and sacred tradition. Now, you are invited to witness and share in that.

The Burri Burri Whale Tour is a 2-hour cultural experience led by Eric Brown, Traditional Custodian and licensed interpreter of sacred Aboriginal rock engravings. Beginning at Bondi Pavilion, you will be welcomed with a traditional smoking welcome before walking to one of Sydney's most significant Aboriginal engraving sites at Bondi Golf Diggers, perched above the Pacific, to watch the whales pass through Country.

This is not a guided tour. This is living culture.

What you will experience:

The experience begins at the beachside entrance of Bondi Pavilion, where Eric will welcome the group, introduce the day, and prepare guests for what lies ahead.

From there, you walk together to the engraving site at Bondi Golf Diggers, a clifftop location that has held cultural practice for generations. Eric opens with a traditional smoking welcome, a practice of cleansing and greeting that has been observed on this Country long before Bondi was a household name.

The Burri Burri experience follows. Through song, dance, and oral story, Eric shares the significance of the whale to his people and their relationship with this stretch of coastline. Then the group moves to the cliff edge, binoculars in hand, to watch for whales moving through the water below.

The experience closes with final words from Eric and time to reflect on what you have witnessed.

Practical details:

Running daily throughout July 2026; the guided walk starts at 10am from Bondi Pavilion

Self-Drive Meeting Point: Beachside Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach NSW 2026. Please arrive by 950am.

Sydney CBD Pickup: 915am sharp, outside Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney Central.

Duration: 2 hours

Suitable for adults and children aged 6 and over.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and your own binoculars if you have them. A limited number of binoculars are available to share on the day.

From your guide:

Eric Brown is a Traditional Custodian with ancestral connections to the Eora, Bidjigal, Dharawal, and Gundungurra peoples. He holds a rare authorisation from NSW National Parks to interpret sacred Aboriginal rock engravings, a recognition of the depth and responsibility of his cultural knowledge. Every experience Eric leads is grounded in living culture, not recreation.