Australia at its best

Australia has always been known as the lucky country, and not without reason.

Considered one of the world’s most desirable locations, those of us fortunate enough to live here love it for the easy access it affords us to open spaces, the laidback lifestyle we can enjoy and the good humoured nature of our fellow countrymen and women.

And with so much beauty around us, travelling is one of our favourite pastimes.

Thanks in part to rising incomes and increased air capacity however, typically we are far more likely to book flights to New Zealand, Indonesia, the US, the UK or Thailand than we are to explore the abundance of offerings on our domestic doorsteps.

But with the global pandemic bringing international travel to a standstill, domestic travel has now become the focus of our plans.

What better way to get to know our country than by experiencing the beauty and splendour of the world's oldest continuous culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise only about 3% of Australia’s total population, meaning many non-Indigenous Australians can live their lives with little cultural interaction.

Fortunately, Australian Aboriginal tourism has come of age in recent years and is now proving a popular way for non-Indigenous Australians to hear about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences while learning from their cultures.

Aboriginal Cultural Tours SA

For 40,000 years the Adjahdura people have lived and died on Adjahdura Land. Even though heritage sites and cultural landscapes have been desecrated there is still significant evidence left to understand what a rich country this once was for the Adjahdura people. Archaeological sites, artefacts, stone tools, stone quarries, ochre quarries, camp sites, cultural sites, middens, burial grounds and fish traps can still be seen.

Aboriginal Cultural Tours (South Australia) offers authentic Aboriginal experiences led by knowledgeable Aboriginal guides from the Ngadjuri people, who live on their Country, know their Country and care about their Country.

A multi-award winning tourism offering through the Clare Valley, the historic town of Burra and Innes National Park, these tours invite guests to walk with local guides in the footsteps of their ancestors to visit ancient archaeological sites and spectacular coastal areas.

Offering a selection of half day, one-day, three-day and five-day outbush tours, coastal tour and combination tours, complementary services include Adjahdura performers and the option to have an accompanying archaeologist. Overnight tours offer the choice of camping (swag, mattress, sleeping bag and tent included) or hotel accomodation. All tours pick up and return to Adelaide.

Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery

Situated in a wonderful bush setting 7kms from Katherine and 22kms from Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), the Top Didj Cultural Experience and Art Gallery is a great way to experience authentic Aboriginal culture.

Lasting for just over two hours, the tour sees guests interact with Indigenous artist Manuel Pamkal who shares stories about the significance of his painting style, weapons used and how he lived off the land.

Guests are also afforded the chance to experience Aboriginal practices such as rarrk painting using a reed brush, fire lighting with two sticks and spear throwing with a woomera.

The experience concludes with a tour through the Top Didj Art Gallery which features a portfolio of artists from the region, reflecting the cultural diversity and influences from Jawoyn, Dalabon and Mali Aborigines who have lived in the area for thousands of years.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

When experiencing Aboriginal culture it doesn’t get bigger, better or more interactive than a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, located a 15 minute drive from Cairns and just 45 minutes from Port Douglas.

Offering both day and night time experiences, this park invites you to witness the ancient dreamtime story of the Tjapukai people's belief in the creation of the world through live performance, where performers offer an understanding into the impacts of the stolen generation. Guests are invited to learn about Indigenous heroes past and present through a unique walk while the Art of My People talk guides visitors through a variety of art styles, while learning about the differences between the Aboriginal clans throughout Australia.

Across the lake, join Tjapukai Aboriginal dancers in a corroboree celebration and fire making ceremony in the Cultural Village, which offers an insight into the gathering and cooking of bush foods, the medicinal values of native plants, traditional hunting methods and tribal law. The experience also includes the chance to throw a spear with the help of a traditional milay spear thrower and the opportunity to learn the art of throwing a returning boomerang.

You can even make your own souvenirs by creating natural rainforest style jewellery and intricate weaving.

Due to current health advice on social distancing, please contact the relevant business for the most up to date information regarding opening times and services.

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