OUR VESSELS
A VESSEL FOR EVERY OCASSION
Tribal Warrior's vessels, Wirawi, Mari Nawi, and Tribal Warrior, offer an unparalleled cultural experience, blending breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour with the richness of the world’s oldest living culture.
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise where you'll connect with Aboriginal heritage through captivating stories, traditional practices, and the unique opportunity to sail with Australia’s first Indigenous-run maritime organisation.
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.
Mari Nawi
The Mari Nawi, meaning 'big canoe' in the Eora language, is a vessel operated by the Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation. Acquired in 2010, the vessel was refurbished and repurposed to serve as a cultural cruise boat and charter vessel.
Today, the Mari Nawi offers immersive Sydney Harbour Cultural Cruises, providing guests with enriching experiences that highlight Aboriginal culture and history. These cruises feature 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.
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.
