wawa Euroa
Welcome to the Euroa Arboretum (‘the Arb’), a nurtured pocket of Taungurung Country, that best expresses the Taungurung story of healing, resilience and deep connection to Ancestral lands. The woodlands areas around Euroa were like a supermarket, providing diverse food sources that sustained Taungurung People for generations. Since colonisation, the woodlands have been severely impacted, as has Taungurung culture. Yet deep in the soil, seeds lay dormant. At the Arb, we tell the story of regeneration and resilience.
There is a profound beauty in watching native birds returning to the Euroa Arboretum as their habitats are restored; just like the passion and pride that is reignited amongst our community as we play an active role in healing Country and sharing cultural practices and stories with you.
On this wawa biik experience, Taungurung guides welcome you to Country with a smoking ceremony to begin your safe journey. We’ll meander along the daanak (traditional bark carrier) trail sharing our stories of important plant species used especially by women for food, medicine and other cultural practice. You will be immersed in the ever-changing seasonal delights of this special location, share personal stories that provide insight into our cultural practices and taste native foods in our morning tea. We’ll also connect you with the team at the Arboretum who are putting in the time to regenerate this precious part of Country.
Inclusions
This 4-hour cultural experience departs and ends at Tahbilk Quality time with a Taungurung guide, welcome smoking ceremony, guided one-hour cultural walk at the Euroa Arboretum, morning tea using delicious bush ingredients, learn about cultural practice, quality time with an Elder to ask questions about culture and what you can do to support Taungurung Country and community aspirations.
Experience details
3-hour cultural experience
Commences at the Euroa Arboretum at 9am and concludes there at 12.00pm
Toilets are available onsite
A morning tea is provided – dietary requirements can be met upon request
The daanak walk is approximately 1km of flat gravel paths
Carparking is available at the Euroa Arboretum entrance or at the picnic shelter, adjacent to the sculpture wall.
For detailed accessibility information please see here.
Please bring
A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
A raincoat
Comfortable walking shoes
Reusable water bottle
Insect repellent
Personal medications if required
Getting there
The Euroa Arboretum is located at 76 Euroa Main Road, Euroa, VIC 3666. If travelling by car, there is vehicle parking at the entrance. From the welcome sign, take the short board walk adjacent to the lake for 20m before turning right. From here, head for the picnic shelter 200m ahead. Toilet facilities are on your left. For a detailed map of the Euroa Arboretum, see here.
If you are travelling from Melbourne along the Hume Highway, after taking the Euroa exit, the Euroa Arboretum is on the right-hand side before reaching town.
Euroa is also serviced by public transport. For details see www.vline.com.au.
The train station is a 10-15minute bike ride from the Arboretum or a 45min walk.
There are multiple electric vehicle charging stations available in Euroa.
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.
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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.
