A smoking ceremony is an ancient and enduring custom among some Aboriginal Australians, involving the smouldering of native plants to produce smoke. This herbal smoke is believed to offer profound spiritual and physical cleansing, protecting against bad spirits and promoting well-being. Traditionally, these ceremonies marked significant life milestones such as childbirth, where they welcome newborns and ensure health, and initiation rites for boys, where the smoke also sterilised instruments and cleansed the spirit.

Research highlights a practical benefit, with plants like Eremophila longifolia (berrigan emu bush) producing smoke with significant antimicrobial effects, aiding in infection prevention. These ceremonies also play a crucial role at death, helping a deceased person's spirit transition and purifying their former living spaces. Today, elements of smoking ceremonies are widely incorporated into public "Welcome to Country" events and other spiritual gatherings.