There is plenty of ethnic music here in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia featuring Polynesian, Micronesian, Maori and Aboriginal sounds. Or you could do some gallery hopping in Melbourne, visit Aboriginal cave art sites or follow the Australian bush poets on a literary trail.

  1. Highlands show, Papua New Guinea

    For a real insight into tribal dance and culture visit the colorful highlands shows of Goroka and Mt Hagan. Over 100 tribes can meet to gather and perform dressed in feathers, mud, skirts and piercings.

  2. Gallery hopping, Melbourne

    Collins Street is the place for a day browsing the galleries and antique stores of the inner city.

  3. Aboriginal art

    Tour the historic sights of Australia like Kakadu, Arnhem Land, Katherine Gorge Uluru or Carnarvon Gorge to get glimpses of famed cave art that dates back to time immemorial. Ochre paint was used to capture the animals, ceremonies and events of the time.

  4. Tamworth Country Music festival, Australia

    This annual event in the outback town of Tamworth boasts a superb line up of country western singers and a chance to wear an Akubra and shine your shoes.

  5. Corroboree, Australia

    A corroboree is a ceremonial meeting of Australian Aborigines where traditional dances are performed, didgeridoos played and drums beaten as Aborigines act out events from the Dreamtime through dance, music and costume. Corroborees are often held in indigenous communities, events and festivals today.

  6. Byron Bay Blues and Roots festival, Australia

    Australia’s most prestigious blues festival takes place around Easter each year in the coastal town of Byron Bay. Local and international acts belt out their jazz, blues or ethnic beats.

  7. Henry Lawson poetry, Australia

    Trace the life of the great Australian bush poet and short story writer Henry Lawson at various sites along the Wallaby Track including the old Eurunderee School, the Henry Lawson Memorial, the Budgee Budgee Inn, Sapling Gully and Golden Gully. Then head over to the Henry Lawson Centre in Gulgong for a large collection of material relating to Lawson. Items include a flour bin made by Lawson’s father, rare editions, writings and memorabilia. An annual heritage festival celebrating the writer is held in Gulgong on the June long weekend.

  8. Maori arts and crafts, New Zealand

    Visit the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute at Te Puia in Rotorua and see master wood carvers and weavers at work preparing traditional crafts. Or take in a Maori dance or song at the cultural performances.

  9. Music, Fiji

    Music is an integral part of the culture of Fiji and a big draw card for tourism to the islands. Fijian music represents its indigenous traditions along with those of India, China, Europe and other Pacific Islands. On some islands dancing and drumming is still practiced and Indian classical music, can be heard on main islands.

  10. The Man from Snowy River, Australia

    This poem about Australia’s most famous man of the mountains was written by famous poet Banjo Patterson. The poem tells of a valuable horse that escapes and the man that chases it down from the mob. Every year The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is held in April at Corryong in Snowy River country. It celebrates the heritage of the high country with bush poetry, a parade, a wine and food festival and much more.