As saltwater people, the Aboriginal people of Coastal Sydney used canoes to travel across bodies of water. There are different types of canoes, but they are commonly referred to as mudjari (something that goes across the water). In addition to travel purposes, canoes where used by both men and women practising traditional fishing techniques. Men would stand up and spear fish using their garrara (fishing spears), whereas women would fish with hooks and lines while sitting on seaweed and/or fern in the canoe. Children of all ages would accompany Aboriginal men and women in canoes while fishing or travelling. The Aboriginal people of Coastal Sydney would also maintain a small fire in their canoes, which was built on a bed of clay to prevent the canoe from burning. The fires allowed them to cook the fish fresh and keep themselves warm.

The canoes were made of bark taken from a large tree. The bark sheets were prepared by roasting them over fire. They were then lashed together at either end using strong vines. Spreaders were then fixed inside the canoe to maintain the required shape. These canoes ranged between 2.5 to 5 metres in length and could navigate rough surf with ease. They used two wooden paddles that were roughly 2 to 3 feet long, with two hands working in a sweeping backwards motion.

If a canoe took on water, it was bailed out using a flat stone. Any holes in the canoe were repaired using materials such as gum and glues with leaves and other materials to make a putty-like material. These canoes were lightweight so could be dragged onto shore when not in use. Coastal Sydney Aboriginal people often used a stone attached to a line as an anchor to prevent the canoe from drifting.

Courtesy the Gujaga Foundation, images courtesy the Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London