REVIEW: The Earth Above, Adelaide Fringe 2025 ★★★★★

You know those events so powerful it shifts your entire present—one that reminds you that the ground beneath your feet is more than just earth, but a witness to history? You start imagining all those that came before you, what stories have these tree witnessed? What bodies have these Oceans held? What children have played in the soil that my feet currently walk upon? The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History is exactly that. A masterfully woven glimpse into the worlds longest living culture – Australia’s First Nations People – A storytelling of 140,000 years. A testament to survival, knowledge, and belonging. An unmissable Welcome To Country. 

Sinking into our bean bags, completely unaware of the sensory masterpiece we are about to witness. Gazing up at the Dome, this Planetarium experience was incredibly apt. Tracing the migration lines of First Nations people. Their stories come alive, woven into the land, the sky, the very fabric of this place. It’s more than history; it’s connection, resilience, and a kind of magic.

The Earth Above explores four ancient stories from around Australia, created in deep collaboration between Deakin MotionLab and First Nations communities. Through breathtaking videography and CGI, these stories aren’t just told—they are felt. With a powerful focus on Ancestors, spirits, and the deep connection between all living things, we are guided through a world where past and present intertwine. The animation is nothing short of ethereal—scenes shifting seamlessly, connected by glowing dots that echo stars, constellations, and the wisdom they carry. Historical moments are reenacted by figures bathed in a soft, otherworldly glow—symbolising their departure from this world, yet never truly gone. Still here, watching over us, walking with us, speaking through their communities, their lineage, and the very footprints fossilised in this land.

We are introduced to The Girraween Lagoon, resting on Larrakia and Wulna Country. Girraween Lagoon holds stories deeper than its waters. A studied sample reveals a simple truth—descend further, and time stretches back, revealing histories held in sediment and memory. Landscapes long gone are reconstructed, stories told, and through it all, resilience remains. Like the First Nations People, the land has adapted, endured, and carried knowledge in its veins. The Elements were listened to.  The water is more than a mirror to the sky—it is wisdom itself. It speaks through the bloom of flowers, whispering of clear skies and when the birds will lay their eggs. Moving with fire and season, teaching how to control the burn so that life may continue. The people of this land have always understood it, because they are of it. They understand this land, because it is their land.

We follow along to Cloggs Cave on GunaiKurnai Country, Victoria. Where the air is thick with something ancient—something powerful. Here, we witness magic. Not the kind found in stories, but the kind woven into the land itself. Stones, crystals, and sticks weren’t just tools; they were conduits for ceremony, for medicine healing, for survival. Traces of 13,000-year-old medicine rituals linger in the earth, whispering of a time when the elements and the people moved as one. 

But the magic of the First Nations People wasn’t only in their hands—it lived in the shadows, in the stories, in the spirits that still watch over the land. Deep within the cave, the Nargun waits—a being of both flesh and stone, untouchable by weapons, warded off only by magic. The glowing stalactites shimmer in the dim light, not just as decoration, but as guardians, holding power and protection. These were not just people; they were keepers of something vast, something sacred.

And then, a powerful call echoes through the speakers. “A call to our Ancestors, their spirits are still here, so we gotta let them know.” Because connection doesn’t end with death. Acknowledgment, remembrance, and conversation stretch far beyond the limits of time. There is something profound in knowing that when you walk these Lands, you never truly walk alone. And so, we arrive at Lake Mungo, on the sacred lands of the Barkandji, Paakantyi, Ngiyampaa, and Mutthi Mutthi people. A lake that has only known dry earth for over 10,000 years. Where the relentless winds, peeled back the sands to reveal footsteps fossilized in the ground. A piece of history speaking to us now, refusing to be forgotten.

And finally, Jiigurru, beneath the vast expanse of the Great Barrier Reef—a place of deep significance to many, but especially to the Dingaal community. Here, animals built from stone stand as teachers, their forms shaping lessons passed down through generations. Because knowledge is not just power; it is respect. On this Land, nothing is just surface. In the rich and enduring cultures of First Nations, Aboriginal people – Country is woven with connection, responsibility, and care. “It is about family. We take care of our family, and our family takes care of us. They have fed us and nurtured us.”

“Now you know some of our stories, we would like to welcome you.” Country always was, and always will be much more than a place. It is culture. It is identity. It is how they grow. Alive and carrying the past, present, and future in its soil, its waters, its sky. Country – always was, and always will be Aboriginal Land. And while you will always be welcomed, true welcome begins with but respect, with knowledge, and with connection. So please, sink into the cozy bean bags, open your hearts and be ready for a trip of a lifetime through the magic of The Earth Above.

Recommended Drink: Lemon Myrtle Tea, used by Aboriginal people for centuries for medicinal purposes, get cozy, take a sip and enjoy the show. 

Catch The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History at The Grand Hall @ The Dom Polski Centre Fri, 21 Feb – Sun, 23 Mar, times vary. Tickets are available on the Adelaide Fringe website.