NAIDOC Week 2025: Must-see cultural events across Australia

Celebrate, connect and reflect with these NAIDOC Week events across Australia.

Known nationwide as one of July’s biggest events, NAIDOC Week recognises all First Nations communities, cultures and histories across Australia. Starting on the first Sunday of the month, it’s a prime opportunity for everyone to learn about one of the oldest living cultures on Earth.

NAIDOC Week 2025 marks 50 years of this important annual celebration, taking place from 6 to 13 July. This year’s theme – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy – honours the enduring resilience of First Nations Elders while empowering the young leaders of today. Here’s how you can get involved.

NSW | Vic | Qld | Tas | WA | SA | NT | ACT

NAIDOC Week events in NSW

NAIDOC in the City
Gadigal (Sydney)
10 July

Isaac Compton for NAIDOC In The City, Sydney — Musician Isaac Compton will host the concert alongside Kaylene Langford.

Sydney Town Hall will again host NAIDOC in the City , a full day of market stalls followed by an epic evening of live music. Wander the Gadigal Markets from 2:30 pm, where you can browse and buy authentic arts and crafts directly from First Nations-run businesses.

Come nightfall, Town Hall turns into a huge concert boasting an incredible line-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander acts. Once doors open at 6:30 pm, guests can expect performances by Becca Hatch, Jem Casser-Daley, Mi-kaisha, Yung Brother and more. Admission is free for all ages across both events.

Family Fun Day
Kamilaroi (Tamworth)
11 July

To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025, this regional NSW town is hosting a range of fantastic community events . Start your day at 9:30 am with the NAIDOC March, which sees the community come together and unite as one through the streets of Tamworth.

When the NAIDOC March ends, the rest of the day’s activities begin. The annual Family Fun Day is a stalwart on the town’s calendar, where you can enjoy live entertainment, food stalls, markets, cultural activities and more.

Bush Food Planting Day
Gadigal (St Peters)
12 July

An arrangement of Indigenous bush food — Plant and sample traditional bush foods. (Image: Xavier Arnau)

Attend a free guided tour of Sydney City Farm with educators from Koori Kinnections for Bush Food Planting Day this NAIDOC Week. Held at Sydney City Farm, an urban agriculture and sustainable food production hub, it’s a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sun.

Attendees will not only develop an understanding of connection to Country, but also gain insight into bush foods suitable for growing in the area. You’ll also plant bush foods at the farm and even try a few yourself. Tours are available across three time slots: 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm.

Photography Exhibition
Darkinjung (Copacabana)
4–13 July

The Ripple Narratives artist group in Copacabana, on NSW’s Central Coast, presents a powerful photography exhibition this NAIDOC Week. Held at Heart Space Copa, it explores identity and culture through a striking portrait collection.

The art-driven program invites visitors to reflect on the resilience and diversity of all First Nations communities and identities. Featuring interactive elements and deeply personal stories, it is a thoughtful space to connect, listen and honour this year’s NAIDOC theme.

NAIDOC Movie Night
Awabakal (Port Macquarie)
7 & 10 July

The Buttery rehabilitation centre in Port Macquarie is hosting two free screenings of Emu Runner in Port Macquarie and Lismore throughout NAIDOC Week. The 2018 independent film is a poignant pick, following a young girl’s bond with an emu as she deals with loss and grief.

Each session will begin with a Welcome to Country ceremony, and light refreshments and popcorn will be provided for all guests. The first screening is scheduled for 5:45 pm at Majestic Cinema in Port Macquarie, with a 6 pm viewing at Star Court Cinema in Lismore a few days later.

National Indigenous Art Fair
Gadigal (Sydney)
5–6 July

National Indigenous Art Fair in Sydney, NSW — The program extends beyond art into music, dance and talks. (Image: Paul McMillan)

A stalwart of Australia’s annual calendar, the National Indigenous Art Fair is again returning to Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal this July. Spanning just one weekend, it’s all showcasing incredible works from over 100 First Nations artists, designers and makers from across the country.

Alongside the ethical art market, a series of immersive panel talks, immersive workshops and intimate performances will be featured – all led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives. Guests can also expect live music, bushfood, fashion and a communal weaving circle.

NAIDOC Week events in Victoria

South East NOW
Gunaikurnai (Gippsland)
From 20 June

The East Gippsland Art Gallery is again hosting South East NOW as part of NAIDOC Week 2025, a free exhibition showcasing First Nations artists and works. This year, the program features a variety of talents including Bradley Brown, Dr Aunty Eileen Harrison, Alice Ann Pepper and more. As well as admiring art, visitors can participate in a variety of workshops and tours across two venues.

Colour Run
Wemba Wemba (Swan Hill)
8 July

Kids at the Colour Run — Mess is all part of the Colour Run fun. (Image: Getty Images/Pom In Oz)

Celebrate NAIDOC Week in Swan Hill by getting covered in swathes of rainbow-hued powder at the Colour Run . Beginning at 2 pm, participants are encouraged to wear all white and fully embrace the burst of colours.

The colourful event is part of Family Fun Day, with food stalls, crafts, games and cultural experiences for all to enjoy. The regional Victorian town’s broader NAIDOC Week program also features live sport events, morning teas, an Elders lunch and the NAIDOC Youth Ball & Disco.

The Little Long Walk
Wurundjeri (Essendon)
10 July

Essendon Fields invites the community to join the fourth annual Little Long Walk in collaboration with The Long Walk Foundation. The active event is all about promoting awareness and support for Indigenous education programs across Australia.

Arrive early for a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at 10:30 am, followed by a 1.6-kilometre walk around Essendon Fields. Afterwards, refuel with complimentary morning tea from LaManna. Don’t forget to grab your free event merch either!

Native Botanical Painting
Naarm (Melbourne)
9 July

General image of people taking a painting class — Let your creativity run wild with a watercolour workshop. (Image: Getty Images/Recep-BG)

Embrace your creativity this NAIDOC Week with Palawa artist Josh Deane at his Native Botanical Painting workshop . Hosted at Melbourne’s iconic narrm ngarru Library, the three-hour class focuses on using watercolours and ink to produce vibrant Aussie artwork.

Whether you’re a budding artist or simply love to paint, all are welcome to join Josh as he guides you through the process, sharing his passion for storytelling, art and Australian botanicals along the way. All supplies are provided, and artists can take their creations home!

Wadawurrung Guided Tour
Wadawurrung (Ballarat)
10 July

Join Wadawurrung Traditional Owners for a guided walking tour through Ballarat’s CBD to celebrate NAIDOC 2025. The immersive experience is a great way to learn about the city’s Indigenous history and deepen their understanding of Wadawurrung culture.

Guests will be treated to a Welcome Ceremony, live storytelling and a meet-and-greet with a local Wadawurrung artist. There are two sessions available, a morning walk at 9:30 am and an evening walk at 1 pm – both are free to all.

NAIDOC Week events in Queensland

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Gimuy (Cairns)
10–13 July

Dancers performing at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair — Witness incredible cultural performances at CIAF.

Although it falls outside official NAIDOC Week dates, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is definitely still worth a visit, being one of the biggest celebrations of Indigenous art in Australia. The curated space is an ethical marketplace showcasing original artwork from well-known and up-and-coming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

This year’s theme, ‘Pay Attention!’, is a call to action following the 2023 Voice Referendum. As well as an amazing collection of Indigenous artwork, visitors can expect a fashion show, family activities, live performances and a variety of artistic workshops, including weaving and dancing.

Brisbane NAIDOC Ball
Meeanjin (Brisbane)
27 July

Brisbane’s Royal Convention Centre will fill with guests for the annual Brisbane NAIDOC Ball this year. Expect dancing, live performances and a range of awards recognising the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of south-east Queensland.

It’s a night of celebration, recognition and entertainment, bringing people together from across the state. Tickets are priced at $233 per person and include a three-course meal, five-hour drinks package and a night full of live entertainment and fun.

Ngari-bah Aboriginal Culture Show
Bundjalung (Gold Coast)
Ongoing

Aboriginal Culture Show at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast, Queensland — The Aboriginal Culture Show is a great way to celebrate NAIDOC Week. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

At the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast, you can attend an Aboriginal Culture Show at any time of the year. However, make it a special occasion in 2025 by visiting during NAIDOC Week.

The Yugambeh Aboriginal Dance Group will give you an insight into local First Nations culture by sharing ancient knowledge through traditional songs, stories and dance. Clapsticks, didgeridoo and melodic vocals will fill your ears as stories and dancing aim to educate all.

From the sea, the land & the mountains
Kabi Kabi (Sunshine Coast)
13 June – 3 August

Caloundra Regional Gallery presents From the Sea, the land and the mountains this NAIDOC Week, an exhibition celebrating the artistic works of Kabi Kabi and Jinibara artists. The showcase features works by a range of local artists, including Kabi Kabi/Gunggari man Kane Brunjes and Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi woman Zartisha Davis.

Alongside the exhibition, artworks from Jinibara artists Uncle Noel Blair, Jennifer Kent, Enid Morris and Jason Murphy will make up the Scene Through the Screen series. The stunning pieces have all been printed on tea towels and depict local plants and wildlife.

NAIDOC Community Day
Kombumerri (Gold Coast)
9 July

Celebrate at the Gold Coast Sports Precinct in Carrara at the 2025 NAIDOC Community Day , hosted by the First Nations-run Kalwun Development Corporation. Running from 10 am to 1 pm, the family-friendly event features cultural performances, live music, food trucks and over 40 market stalls. Keep your eye out for special appearances from both the Gold Coast Titans and Gold Coast Suns players!

NAIDOC Week events in Tasmania

kipli takara tour
Nipaluna (Hobart)
Ongoing

Native bush food for a palawa kipli tour in Tasmania — Learn about traditional native plant uses in food. (Image: Samuel Shelley)

Celebrate NAIDOC Week by joining a kipli takara piyura kitina-ta (bush foods walk at Risdon Cove) hosted by palawa kipli, a sustainable Aboriginal food company just outside of Hobart. The tour shows guests how Indigenous communities use traditional native plants in food.

It’s also a great opportunity to hear from Palawa directly about their connection to Country, as well as how food resources play important roles in culture. After the 90-minute experience, guests can indulge in a tasting of native flavours and ingredients.

Introduction to The Orb
Nipaluna (Hobart)
8 July

Led by Palawa woman and Rosny Library’s Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Kylie Dickson, Living Cultures – Introduction to The Orb is a special NAIDOC Week session. Explore The Orb , a digital education resource that celebrates the deep connection between Country, identity and community.

Originally designed for teachers and schools, The Orb helps people deepen their understanding of First Nations history through firsthand stories from interviews with local Palawa. The sessions begin at 10 am and run for an hour.

Yarning & Making
Kanamaluka (Launceston)
6 July

Indigenous weaving workshop — QVMAG will host a series of weaving workshops. (Image: Chameleons Eye)

Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk (QVMAG) will host a series of interactive Yarning & Making workshops for free this year. The hands-on sessions invite participants to create traditional bracelets and discuss the importance of cultural practices and the significance of NAIDOC Week.

There are two bracelet-making workshops to choose from – one using woven string and the other using beads. QVMAG is also running Possum Skin Cloak workshops as part of its comprehensive NAIDOC Week program.

NAIDOC Week events in Western Australia

National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony
Boorloo (Perth)
5 July

The 2019 National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony. (Image: National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony) — Celebrate winners across 10 categories. (Image: National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony)

To kick off NAIDOC Week 2025, the National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The ceremony is all about recognising the outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the year.

This year, celebrate the winners of 10 amazing award categories, including the National NAIDOC Youth Award and the National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award. Those in attendance can also look forward to a stellar line-up of First Nations live performances, plus a three-course dinner.

Galup VR Experience
Whadjuk Noongar (Joondalup)
7–8 July

Step into an immersive, 360-degree virtual reality film with Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery’s Galup VR Experience this NAIDOC Week. The film uncovers the hidden history of Lake Monger (Galup) – a place of deep cultural significance for local Noongar people.

The immersive work was created by Ian Wilkes and Poppy van Oorde-Grainger, with an oral history from Elder Doolann-Leisha Eatts. Each of the six sessions, running daily between 10 am and 4 pm, is guided by a team of supportive Noongar Elders.

Mowanjum Festival
Nyikina (Derby)
11 July

Indigenous dancers performing at the Mowanjum Festival in Derby, WA — Be immersed in rich cultural performances. (Image: Rebecca Mansell)

Embrace the rich culture of the Ngarinyin, Worrorra and Wunambal peoples during the Mowanjum Festival this July. The event is held in Derby, a small town located along the Gibb River Road, an icon among Australia’s best road trips.

The full day event sees festival-goers can participate in workshops, witness live performances and learn through First Nations storytelling. Come evening, be sure to catch the Junba, a traditional song and dance that ensures Indigenous knowledge is passed on to future generations.

Kullarri NAIDOC Festival
Rubibi (Broome)
27 June – 17 July

If you’re around Broome during NAIDOC Week, put the Kullarri NAIDOC Festival on your to-do list. The festival’s program is positively jam-packed with things to do to celebrate The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.

Attendees can look forward to everything from art exhibitions and live entertainment to sporting events and music nights, plus so much more. Don’t miss the Kullarri NAIDOC Awards on 12 July, which recognises significant contributions made by local community members.

NAIDOC Week @ The Quay
Boorloo (Perth)
6–13 July

Elizabeth Quay in Perth, WA — Watch Elizabeth Quay light up this NAIDOC Week. (Image: Kokkai Ng)

As the sun sets, Elizabeth Quay will transform into a glowing tribute to Boorloo culture with NAIDOC Week @ The Quay . Witness vibrant light projections dance across the precinct and illuminate the waterfront with powerful works by Whadjuk, Ballardong and Yuat artist, Jarni McGuire. The creation honours the artist’s deep connection to Country, which she shares through colour and movement.

NAIDOC Week events in South Australia

Tjukuḻa Tjuṯa: Artists of Iwiri Arts
Kaurna (Port Adelaide)
27 June – 6 July

Immerse yourself in the vibrant works presented by artists of Iwiri Arts, an organisation that represents Aṉangu artists from the APY Lands of South Australia. The group collection, titled Tjukuḻa Tjuṯa , was created around kapingka maḻangka tjukuḻa tjuṯa pulaparipai, which translates to ‘waterholes filling up after rain’. Tjukuḻa Tjuṯa will be hosted by The Gallery at St Peters in Adelaide and is a free public exhibition.

Yura Malka Guided Tour
Ikara (Flinders Ranges)
8 July

a 4wd driving along Wilpena Pound — Take a scenic drive along the magnificent Wilpena Pound. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Experience the Flinders Ranges through the eyes of the Adnyamathanha people on a special Yura Malka tour , led by Bookabee’s Haydyn Bromley. Beginning at Wilpena Pound, the tour combines driving and walking across Country as Haydyn shares stories passed down by generations.

The exclusive experience also includes a brief tour of the 2025 NAIDOC Art Exhibition, which features works by Adnyamathanha artists. It’s the perfect blend of culture, art, nature and history, making it one of the best ways to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025.

Discover & Create
Kaurna (Adelaide)
9 July

Little ones can learn about NAIDOC Week at Discover & Create , held at Walkerville Town Hall in the Adelaide suburb of Gilberton. Hosted by Aboriginal artist Rebekah Nyalkba, the hands-on art session will guide children through the creative process of painting using Indigenous symbols.

Originally from the Northern Territory and now based in Adelaide, Rebekah will also share stories about art and culture along the way. The workshop, which runs from 11 am to 12:30 pm, is suitable for children aged six and over (must be supervised).

NAIDOC Week events in the Northern Territory

Deadly Cup Carnival
Garramilla (Darwin)
6 July

Deadly Cup in Darwin — Enjoy a variety of cultural performances before the games begin.

This year, the ever-exciting Deadly Cup Rugby League Carnival will again be held at TRL Stadium in Darwin. The free event celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, promotes health and wellbeing, and showcases Rugby League talent from across the state. The carnival is a family-friendly, smoke, drug and alcohol-free event that is all about connection and community.

Palmerston Youth Festival
Garramilla (Darwin)
5–11 July

The Palmerston Youth Festival is back for its third year of amazing NAIDOC Week celebrations just outside of Darwin. The festival is all about empowering young people and engaging them in immersive and interactive activities.

Over seven jam-packed days, youth from across the Northern Territory can relish in a variety of unforgettable events. From the NAIDOC Pool Party to Palmy’s Got Talent and Sportsfest, the event is an inclusive and accessible place for kids to celebrate.

NAIDOC Celebrations
Kakadu National Park
11 July

Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory — Kakadu is on the Traditional Lands of the Bininj/Mungguy people. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

Kakadu National Park holds thousands of years of history for the Bininj/Mungguy people, the Traditional Owners of the land. Learn all about this stunning part of the Northern Territory at the 2025 NAIDOC Week Celebrations, held at the Bowali Visitor Centre. It’s a jam-packed day of free activities, from movie screenings and outdoor games to weaving workshops and painting classes.

NAIDOC Week events in the ACT

Spotlight conversations: Keeping Country Strong
Canberra
10 July

Join the National Museum of Australia for a special NAIDOC Week edition of its Spotlight Conversations series – Keeping Country Strong . Guests will be immersed in a new documentary that highlights the work of Indigenous Rangers managing Indigenous Protected Areas across Australia.

Following the screening, a live discussion will delve deeper into the subject with Traditional Owners. The panel will feature Gunditjmara Elder Dr Denis Rose, Ewamian woman Sharon Prior, Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaraay man Nathan Brennan and Wiradyuri woman Rae Johnston.

First Nations Experience of Democracy Tour
Canberra
6–13 July

Old Parliament House in Canberra, ACT — The Museum of Australian Democracy is within Old Parliament House. (Image: Wallis Yu)

The First Nations Experience of Democracy Tour at Canberra’s Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a great way to celebrate NAIDOC Week in the nation’s capital. The guided experience allows participants to consider the experiences of Indigenous Australians within our democracy.

Throughout the free 45-minute tour, guests will hear immersive stories about how First Nations communities brought about change in Australia. Tours run daily throughout NAIDOC Week and can only be booked in groups.

Reconciliation Place Guided Tour
Canberra
7–11 July

Reconciliation Place in Canberra, ACT — Take a tour of Reconciliation Place this NAIDOC Week. (Image: Chameleons Eye)

Join a guided walk through Reconciliation Place this NAIDOC Week to explore the rich histories, cultures and contributions of First Nations people to the nation’s capital. Beginning at the iconic Fire and Water Sculpture, the free tours will run daily through the week from 10 am to 11 am, with bookings essential.

Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Just 15 years ago, Federal Mills was a very different place. Once among the most significant industrial sites in Victoria, the historic woollen mill was one of a dozen that operated in Geelong at the industry’s peak in the mid-20th century, helping the city earn its title as ‘wool centre of the world’. But by the 1960s global competition and the rise of synthetic fabrics led to the slow decline of the industry, and Federal Mills finally shuttered its doors in 2001. Within a few years, the abandoned North Geelong grounds had become makeshift pastoral land, with cows and goats grazing among the overgrown grass between the empty red-brick warehouses. It was a forgotten pocket of the city, all but two klicks from the bustle of the CBD.

Geelong cellar door wine bar — Geelong has shed its industrial identity to become an innovative urban hub with reimagined heritage spaces. (Image: Ash Hughes)

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Today, the century-old complex stands reborn. The distinctive sawtooth-roof buildings have been sensitively restored. An old silo is splashed with a bright floral mural, landscapers have transformed the grounds, and the precinct is once again alive with activity. More than 1000 people work across 50-plus businesses here. It’s so busy, in fact, that on a sunny Thursday morning in the thick of winter, it’s hard to find a car park. The high ceilings, open-plan design, and large multi-paned windows – revolutionary features for factories of their time – have again become a drawcard.

Paddock Bakery andPatisserie — Paddock Bakery and Patisserie is housed within the historic wool factory. (Image: Gallant Lee)

At Paddock , one of the precinct’s newer tenants, weaving looms and dye vats have been replaced by a wood-fired brick oven and heavy-duty mixers. Open since April 2024, the bakery looks right at home here; the building’s industrial shell is softened by ivy climbing its steel frames, and sunlight streams through the tall windows. Outside, among the white cedar trees, families at picnic benches linger over dippy eggs and bagels, while white-collar workers pass in and out, single-origin coffee and crème brûlée doughnuts in hand.

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

Paddock Bakery can be found at Federal Mills. (Image: Gallant Lee)

“A lot of people are now seeing the merit of investing in Geelong,” says Paul Traynor, the head of Hamilton Hospitality Group, which redeveloped Federal Mills. A city once shunned as Sleepy Hollow, and spurned for its industrial, working-class roots and ‘rust belt’ image, Geelong has long since reclaimed its ‘Pivot City’ title, having reinvented itself as an affordable, lifestyle-driven satellite city, and a post-COVID migration hotspot.

And the numbers stand testament to the change. In March 2025, and for the first time in its history, Greater Geelong became Australia’s most popular regional town for internal migration, overtaking Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Current forecasts suggest Geelong will continue to outpace many other Australian cities and towns, with jobs growing at double the rate of the population.

Tourism is booming, too. The 2023-24 financial year was Geelong and The Bellarine region’s busiest on record, with 6.4 million visitors making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country. It’s not hard to see why: beyond the city’s prime positioning at the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s tenacity and cultural ambition stands out.

As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, Geelong is swiftly shaking off its industrial past to become a model for urban renewal, innovation, sustainability and creative communities. The signs are everywhere, from the revitalisation of the city’s waterfront, and the landmark design of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre, to the growing network of local designers, architects and artists, and the burgeoning roster of festivals and events. That’s not even mentioning the adaptive reuse of storied old industrial buildings – from Federal Mills, to Little Creatures’ brewery ‘village’ housed within a 1920s textile mill – or the city’s flourishing food and wine scene.

The rise of a food and wine destination

Restaurant 1915 is housed within a restored former boiler house. (Image: Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Traynor credits now-closed local restaurant Igni, which opened in 2016, as the turning point for Geelong’s hospo industry. “[Aaron Turner, Igni’s chef-patron] was probably the first guy, with all due respect, to raise the bar food-wise for Geelong,” he says. “People now treat it really seriously, and there’s clearly a market for it.” While Igni is gone, Turner now helms a string of other notable Geelong venues, including The Hot Chicken Project and Tacos y Liquor, all within the buzzy, street art-speckled laneways of the CBD’s Little Malop Street Precinct. Many others have also popped up in Igni’s wake, including Federal Mills’ own restaurant, 1915 . Housed within the cavernous boiler house, 1915’s interior is dramatic: soaring, vaulted ceilings with timber beams, exposed brick, a huge arched window. The share plates echo the space’s bold character, playing with contrast and texture, with dishes such as a compressed watermelon tataki, the sweet, juicy squares tempered by salty strands of fried leeks, and charred, smoky snow peas dusted with saganaki on a nutty bed of romesco.

The Woolstore , one of The Hamilton Group’s most recent hospo projects, opened in February. It occupies a century-old riverside warehouse and exudes a more sultry, fine dining ambience. Much like Federal Mills, the blueprint was to preserve the original brickwork, tallowwood flooring and nods to the building’s former life. That same careful consideration extends to the well-versed, affable waitstaff as well as the kitchen. Head chef Eli Grubb is turning out an eclectic mix of ambitious and indulgent mod Oz dishes that deliver: strikingly tender skewers of chicken tsukune, infused with hints of smoke from the parrilla grill, and glazed with a moreish, sweet gochujang ‘jam’; nduja arancini fragrant with hints of aniseed and the earthy lick of sunny saffron aioli; and golden squares of potato pavé, adorned with tiny turrets of crème fraîche, crisp-fried saltbush leaves, and Avruga caviar, to name but a few stand-out dishes.

Woolstore menu — Woolstore’s menu is designed for sharing.

Breathing new life into historic spaces

On the city’s fringe, hidden down a winding side road with little fanfare, lies a long-dormant site that’s being gently revived. Built from locally quarried bluestone and brick, and dating back to the 1870s, the complex of original tin-roofed mill buildings is lush with greenery and backs onto the Barwon River and Buckley Falls; the audible rush of water provides a soothing soundtrack. Fyansford Paper Mill is one of few complexes of its time to survive intact. It feels steeped in history and spellbindingly rustic.

“We were looking for an old industrial place that had some charm and romance to it,” explains Sam Vogel, the owner, director and winemaker at Provenance Wines which moved here in 2018. When he first viewed the building with his former co-owner, it was in such a state of disrepair that the tradie tenant occupying the space had built a shed within it to escape the leaking roof and freezing winter temperatures. “To say it was run down would be an understatement,” he notes. “There was ivy growing through the place; the windows were all smashed. It was a classic Grand Designs project.”

Provenance Wines moved to Fyansford Paper Mill in 2018. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

The team has since invested more than a million dollars into their new home. Where paper processing machinery once sat, wine barrels are now stacked. Vaulted cathedral ceilings are strung with festoon lights, and hidden in plain sight lies a shadowy mural by local street artist de rigueur Rone – one of only three permanent works by the artist.

While the award-winning, cool-climate pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay naturally remain a key draw at Provenance, the winery’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Impressed already by whipsmart service, I devour one of the most cleverly curated and faultlessly executed degustations I’ve had in some time. It’s all prepared in a kitchen that is proudly zero-waste, and committed to providing seasonal, ethical and locally sourced meat and produce under head chef Nate McIver. Think free-range venison served rare with a syrupy red wine jus and a half-moon of neon-orange kosho, shokupan with a deeply savoury duck fat jus (a modern Japanese take on bread and drippings), and a golden potato cake adorned with a colourful confetti of dehydrated nasturtiums and tomato powder, and planted atop a sea urchin emulsion.

handcrafted pieces — Bell’s handcrafted functional pieces on display.

The complex is home to a coterie of independent businesses, including a gallery, a jeweller, and its latest tenant, ceramicist Elizabeth Bell, drawn here by the building’s “soul”. “There’s so much potential for these buildings to have new life breathed into them,” says Bell, whose studio is housed within the old pump room. “Even people in Geelong don’t know we’re here,” she says. “It’s definitely a destination, but I like that. It has a really calming atmosphere.”

A Melbourne transplant, Bell now feels at home in Geelong, which offers something Melbourne didn’t. “If this business was in Melbourne I don’t think it would’ve been as successful,” she notes. “It’s very collaborative in Geelong, and I don’t think you get that as much in Melbourne; you’re a bit more in it for yourself. Here it’s about community over competition.”

Celebrate, connect and reflect with these NAIDOC Week events across Australia.

NAIDOC Week events in NSW

NAIDOC in the City Gadigal (Sydney) 10 July

Family Fun Day Kamilaroi (Tamworth) 11 July

Bush Food Planting Day Gadigal (St Peters) 12 July

Photography Exhibition Darkinjung (Copacabana) 4–13 July

NAIDOC Movie Night Awabakal (Port Macquarie) 7 & 10 July

National Indigenous Art Fair Gadigal (Sydney) 5–6 July

NAIDOC Week events in Victoria

South East NOW Gunaikurnai (Gippsland) From 20 June

Colour Run Wemba Wemba (Swan Hill) 8 July

The Little Long Walk Wurundjeri (Essendon) 10 July

Native Botanical Painting Naarm (Melbourne) 9 July

Wadawurrung Guided Tour Wadawurrung (Ballarat) 10 July

NAIDOC Week events in Queensland

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Gimuy (Cairns) 10–13 July

Brisbane NAIDOC Ball Meeanjin (Brisbane) 27 July

Ngari-bah Aboriginal Culture Show Bundjalung (Gold Coast) Ongoing

From the sea, the land & the mountains Kabi Kabi (Sunshine Coast) 13 June – 3 August

NAIDOC Community Day Kombumerri (Gold Coast) 9 July

NAIDOC Week events in Tasmania

kipli takara tour Nipaluna (Hobart) Ongoing

Introduction to The Orb Nipaluna (Hobart) 8 July

Yarning & Making Kanamaluka (Launceston) 6 July