OUR VESSELS
A VESSEL FOR EVERY OcCASION:
A floating classroom and cultural ambassador
Tribal Warrior's vessels, Wirawi, Mari Nawi, and Tribal Warrior, offer an unparalleled cultural experience, blending breath taking views of Sydney Harbour with the richness of the world’s oldest living culture.
Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise for a unique and profound connection with the land and waters of Sydney Harbour where you'll share the rich history, vibrant traditions, traditional practices, and compelling stories of the Eora people, with Australia's first Indigenous-run maritime organisation. This is an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from Aboriginal guides and gain an authentic and educational understanding of this significant cultural heritage.
The Lady Northcott, a historic Sydney ferry built in 1974, was retired from service in 2017. In 2021, it was generously donated to the Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation by the NSW Government, following a suggestion by Uncle Mark Champley, a Kamilaroi man and former Sydney Ferries worker, to repurpose the vessel for training Aboriginal youth.
After extensive refurbishments, the vessel was relaunched as Wirawi, meaning 'woman' in the Dharug language, on January 25, 2023. This transformation has revitalised the ferry, enabling it to serve as Australia's first Indigenous-run ferry, providing cultural tours and maritime training on Sydney Harbour.
The Wirawi has since participated in significant events, including Vivid Sydney 2024, where it was adorned with Aboriginal artwork and LED lighting, offering passengers immersive experiences that celebrate Aboriginal culture.
Additionally, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, a charity event featured Australian strongman Troy Conley-Magnusson pulling the 360-tonne ferry, highlighting its storied past and renewed purpose.
The revitalisation of the Wirawi not only preserves a piece of Sydney's maritime history but also provides employment and training opportunities for the Indigenous community, ensuring the vessel's legacy continues for years to come.
For more information about the Wirawi and upcoming events, please visit the What's On page.
The Mari Nawi
The Mari Nawi, meaning 'big canoe' in the Gadigal language, immediately connects the vessel to the traditional way of life and the deep relationship Aboriginal people have with the waterways. Acquired in 2010, the vessel was refurbished and repurposed to serve as a cultural cruise boat and charter vessel.
The choice of an Aboriginal name for the vessel underscores the authenticity and cultural focus of the cruise experience. It serves as a constant reminder of the Eora people's connection to the harbour.
Today, the Mari Nawi is a comfortable vessel offering immersive Sydney Harbour Cultural Cruises. It provides guests with an enriching sharing of knowledge and experiences that highlight Aboriginal culture and history in a respectful and engaging environment on the very waters that hold deep cultural significance for the Eora people. These cruises feature storytelling, cultural commentary, performances, and tours on National Park Harbour Islands, allowing participants to connect deeply with the stories and traditions of the Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal, and Wallumedegal people.
The vessel is also available for private charters, accommodating up to 150 guests for various events, with options for catering and entertainment.
By revitalising the Mari Nawi, Tribal Warrior continues its mission to empower the community through connection to culture and family, ensuring that the vessel's legacy endures for years to come.
For more information about the Mari Nawi and upcoming events, please visit the What's On page.
The Tribal Warrior
The Tribal Warrior is a historic 15.4-metre gaff-rigged ketch, originally built in 1899 by Japanese shipwright Tsugitaro Furuta at Port Kennedy on Thursday Island. Constructed as a pearling lugger named Mina, it features a narrow beam and shallow draft, characteristic of vessels designed for pearling operations in northern Australian waters.
Throughout its extensive history, the vessel underwent several transformations, including a period during World War II when it was utilised by the United States Army. In the 1980s, it was adopted by the Ganabarr Morning Star Clan of Arnhem Land and Gove Peninsula, who renamed it Wutuku, meaning "drifting wood".
In 1999, the vessel was acquired by the Tribal Warrior Association, an Aboriginal community group based in Redfern, Sydney, dedicated to providing maritime training and cultural tours. Renamed Tribal Warrior, the vessel became a symbol of Indigenous maritime heritage and empowerment.
Between 2001 and 2003, Tribal Warrior embarked on a historic 648-day circumnavigation of Australia, visiting over 120 Aboriginal communities and covering more than 26,000 kilometres. This voyage marked the first circumnavigation of Australia by an Indigenous-owned and crewed vessel, fostering unity and cultural exchange among coastal Aboriginal communities.
Today, the Tribal Warrior continues to serve as a training vessel, offering maritime qualification programs for disadvantaged Aboriginal Australians, and as a charter vessel for cultural cruises on Sydney Harbour. It stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring maritime traditions of Australia's Indigenous peoples.
