Walk On Country
Tyronne Bell (Ngunawal)
15 November 2026
Day + Time | Sunday | 10am – noon
Location | Black Mountain, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Entry | General Public $85 | Craft + Design Canberra Members $68 | Become a member here | Booking required
Access | Degree of difficulty: Easy-moderate. The track has some uneven ground with some steep sections.
In this Walk On Country tour with Dhawura Tours you will follow the tracks and service trails of Black Mountain with your guide, Tyronne Bell (Ngunawal), who will interpret the mountain's changing landscape since ancient times. The tour features Aboriginal interpretation of the landscape, bush foods, artefacts, stone tools and their traditional uses, alongside the beautiful bushland of Black Mountain and panoramic views of Canberra. This tour reads the landscape through Ngunawal knowledge held and carried forward since long before Canberra was planned, offering the 2026 Festival theme of Dissent as continuity of culture on Country.
SCHEDULE/TIMING
Participants arrive at Black Mountain – see meeting location below
10:00am: Welcome, introduction & risk assessment
10:15am: Commence walk, stopping at various points of interest along the track/trail
11:50am: Return to starting point. If time allows, opportunity for further discussion
Noon: Conclude/depart
WHAT TO EXPECT
Cultural Heritage Walk | Following the tracks and service trails of Black Mountain, tour guide and Ngunawal Traditional Custodian, Tyronne Bell will interpret the mountain’s changing landscape since ancient times. Discussion will focus on Aboriginal cultural sites and pathways, bush tucker and other plants and the freshwater gullies that drain the mountain’s slopes to Sullivan’s Creek.
Duration of walk: 1.5 hours approx.
Degree of difficulty: Easy-moderate. The track has some uneven ground with some steep sections.
What to wear/bring: Comfortable, protective clothing (a light waterproof jacket in case of rain); sturdy enclosed walking shoes; hat & sunscreen; bottled water; a snack; camera.
Location: Tyronne will meet you at the top of Telstra Tower/Black Mountain to commence the tour (there is ample car/bus parking here). The tour start and finish location is marked with a red pointer in link here.
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Tyronne Bell is a Ngunawal descendant who grew up in Yass, learning traditional culture from his father Don Bell (senior). Challenging early experiences shaped his lifelong passion for the advancement of Aboriginal issues. Tyronne is a strong advocate for the recognition of Aboriginal culture and language, in particular the culture and language of the Ngunawal people. Since 1986 he has been involved in many Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys to protect and conserve Aboriginal culture and heritage. Tyronne's passion for his culture and heritage, and his desire to share this knowledge with others, led to the establishment of Thunderstone in July 2013 to promote awareness of the rich Aboriginal culture and history of the local region. Seeing an opportunity for expansion, Thunderstone developed the first ever Aboriginal tourism product in the Australian Capital Territory, Dhawura Aboriginal Cultural Tours. Dhawura Tours shares Aboriginal cultural knowledge with local, domestic and international markets. Tyronne also has strong connections with the non-Indigenous community and has been deeply involved in many community-based activities and projects over the years.
SEE WEBSITE HERE
Images | Walk on Country Black Mountain | Photos courtesy of Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural Services