Our walking tour took in some of each of Gavin’s advertised Warami Eora tours – from the colonial Sydney City Circuit to the historic fishing village of Watson Bay, nestled just inside the Heads of the magnificent Sydney Harbour. The walk included two ferry rides, coffee and later lunch.
The tour was like going for a walk with a friend as opposed to a formal historical tour. Gavin was able to bring alive many city buildings that we’d walked past a thousand times in our life without ‘seeing’ them. As we walked from the iconic Queen Victoria Building across the Pyrmont Bridge to catch a ferry to Watsons Bay, Gavin’s story telling skills and attention to detail transported us back to the times being described.
For many Australians the story of the colonial development of Sydney has been told with little or no reference to the clans of Aboriginal people who watched the first fleet arriving in 1788. What was unique about Gavin’s approach to telling the story of European settlement of Sydney Cove was the way he highlighted the more positive interactions between the settlers and the various clans of the Eora nations. One such story was about the ongoing fishing trade between locals and settlers during the mid 19th Century; the story of the fishing trade between the Gadigal clan and settlers around Double Bay and the developing Sydney Fish Markets. Another anecdote was showing us the fish traps/ tunnels/ pools just inside South Head.
Gavin opened our eyes to the local flora and shared stories of how the Aboriginal people loved and used the land wisely. We won’t ever forget the breathtaking sight of an ancient …?. Tree tucked away in a local park.
Gavin’s ease with story-telling, his local knowledge and research made for a special experience for these two locals and we’re certain it would be the same for international travellers visiting this uniquely beautiful harbour city.
Warm thanks Gavin
Sue Anne And Sheilagh
Warami Eora:Hello Sydney 