Melbourne Museum & Yarra Cruise Tour

OVERVIEW

Browse museum exhibits that reveal how the lives of the local indigenous people changed dramatically after Europeans arrived and view downtown Melbourne from a unique perspective while cruising the Yarra River. As you meander through the Bunjilaka Cultural Center within the Melbourne Museum, you will gain an understanding of the Aboriginal people that first settled in what became the state of Victoria. You may hear moving stories of resilience handed down from generation to generation, see artifacts that chronicle the ancient history of the area and view portrayals of early encounters between whalers and the Aboriginal people. A virtual guide will add even more insight. Later, you will cruise the lower reaches of the Yarra River, which cuts through the heart of Melbourne. Sights along the way include the Royal Botanic Gardens, the city’s modern sports and entertainment district, and Herring Island, a former basalt quarry that was filled with silt dredged from the river.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Become immersed in Aboriginal life while browsing the Melbourne Museum.
• Understand the dramatic impact that early Europeans had on the Aboriginal people.
• See some of Melbourne’s most iconic attractions while cruising the Yarra River.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.