wawa Nagambie
Minimum guests
6
Maximum guests
15
Price
$190 AUD per adult, $
You are invited to say wawa (hello) to Taungurung biik (Country) and our passionate Taungurung guides as we reveal the rich layers of living culture embodied in the land and waterways of Nagambie in Central Victoria.
For tens of thousands of years pre-colonisation, the waterways of the waring (Goulburn River) and its lush tributaries have sustained seasonal food sources and a nourishing cultural life for the Taungurung people, and in return, the Taungurung people have cared for and sustained this place. Biik has been profoundly changed by colonisation, yet our cultural relationship and responsibilities to biik remain. Journey with us to understand our cultural values and our story of biik – past, present, and future, specifically relating to the story of baan (water) – the lifeblood of biik.
We take you to a special place that holds deep cultural value. It is here that you can learn about the ingenuity and way of life of our Ancestors who survived by reading and adapting to the changing conditions of these floodplains. Understand what our People are doing today to protect our cultural heritage and biik for future generations. Take part in a traditional Welcome Smoking Ceremony, spend time yarning with two Taungurung leaders, connect with our beautiful waterways onboard a cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes), enjoy a morning tea while yarning with our guides and take time to reflect and give thanks to the resilience of biik.
Inclusions
This 4-hour cultural experience departs and ends at Tahbilk Winery - Wetlands View Restaurant, includes travel by wawa biik 4WD vehicle to a cultural site, provides quality time with two Taungurung guides, a traditional Welcome Smoking Ceremony, morning tea using delicious bush foods, a cruise on the Tahbilk wetlands, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions about our culture and what you can do to support Taungurung Country and community aspirations.
Optional Add-on
A two-course lunch with glass of wine at Tahbilk Winery and Restaurant.
Experience details
Departs from Tahbilk Restaurant carpark at 9.00am and concludes at this location by 1.00pm.
Requires a short bus journey and boat journey. The bus can be boarded by a small step up or via a wheelchair lift. The boat is accessed via a ramp.
Roughly 1 km of flat walking on uneven ground is required
We will have one and a half hours without access to a toilet.
A morning tea is provided – dietary requirements can be met upon request
Parking is available at the Tahbilk Wetlands View Restaurant carpark
For detailed accessibility information see here
Please bring
A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
A raincoat
Comfortable enclosed walking shoes (no open toed shoes allowed)
Reusable water bottle
Insect repellent
Personal medications if required
Getting there
Tahbilk Winery and Wetlands is located just outside of Nagambie in the wetlands of Taungurung Country at
142 Mulberry Dr, Tabilk VIC 3608.
Via car, Tahbilk is 90 minutes from Melbourne along the Hume Highway. Follow the signs for the Tahbilk Wetlands View Restaurant once through the front entrance.
Via public transport, Nagambie can be accessed via train and bus. For details see www.vline.com.au Tahbilk Winery is approximately 30min via bicycle from Nagambie town. There are bicycle racks available
in front of the Cellar Door.
wawa biik features in a range of publications, websites and across news outlets as we highlight the Taungurung story alongside the experiences offered.
Please click here to read the latest edition
Just like the pride and purpose our Elders feel when wrapped in their possum skin cloak, we want wawa biik to be a warm and inspiring space that brings people together to celebrate and learn about our traditional and contemporary aspects of Culture.
Cultural heritage – “It’s still here and so are we” – a yarn with Jonah
Jonah Honeysett is a proud Taungurung /Wiradjuri man of the Nira-balluk clan who considers himself lucky to have grown up knowing about his culture, immersed in his culture, and learning about his culture from his Aboriginal parents and grandparents.
“It’s not Aboriginal heritage, it’s Australia’s Heritage” – a yarn with Ashley.
Ashley Wilkinson is a proud Taungurung man of the Yeerum-Illiam-Balluk clan, which is below Benalla and Mansfield area.
Cultural Heritage – an Elder’s perspective (Uncle Shane)
As a Taungurung Elder who has worked for his mob for two decades doing cultural surveys, Uncle Shane could probably write a book about what he’s seen and experienced out there in the field. Protecting cultural heritage is core to the work of any Custodians of Country and is a responsibility that is directly overseen by Elders.
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We acknowledge and pay respects to Taungurung Ancestors and Elders, past present and emerging. We continue to remain strong in culture, traditions and memories of those who have paved the way for Taungurung People and Country. We move forward proudly and thank our Ancestors for their guidance and protection throughout our journey.
