First Nations cultural experiences

We’ve always had great respect for the heritage and traditions of the First Australians.

Back in 1998 we were the first tour company to advise our travellers against climbing Uluru on account of its sacred significance to numerous First Nations cultures. The close working partnerships we’ve established with First Nations' communities continue to inform our understanding of the land, as well as inspire in our travellers an appreciation for the world’s oldest living cultures. Below are some of the partners that we're proud to work with. 

Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Experience 

The Gumbaynggirr people hail from Australia's New South Wales Pacific coast - stretching from Nambucca River in the South to around the Clarence River in the North and the Great Dividing Range in the West. We visit them in in Nambucca Heads to share in a unique and immersive First Nations experience that will get you in touch with the traditional custodians of this land, lore and their ancient cultural knowledge. 

Bodaree National Park Botanic Gardens 

This First Nations food experience is a treat for the tastebuds, where you’ll try incredible dishes made with local native ingredients under the stars. You will also learn how, when the land is managed in the way it was for thousands of years, fire and traditional knowledge plays an important part in the management of the land. 

Janbal Art Workshop 

Join an Aboriginal painting class in the afternoon with local artist and gallery-owner, Binna. We’ll learn about the significance of traditional and contemporary art and storytelling to First Nations people and even leave with a small souvenir of our own creation. 

Launceston Elders Centre 

In Tasmania’s second-largest city we stop to enjoy afternoon tea at the Elder’s Centre in the country of the Tyerrernotepanner, the Panninher and the Leterremairrener people. Here travellers have the chance to chat with Aboriginal elders and learn how, despite everything their people have suffered on this island, Tasmania’s Aboriginal culture remains.  

Ngaro Nation Welcome to Country  

Stroll along the Queensland coastline to Airlie Beach, where we’ll be greeted by a local member of the Ngaro family. They will welcome us to country and provide us with an overview of the culture and history of the magnificent Whitsundays that we're exploring.

Kuyu Kuyu Cultural Walk 

Head to Kuyu Kuyu (Cooya Beach) for an educational experience with a member of the local Kuku Yalanji community. Learn to throw a spear, which plants are edible and how Kuku Yalanji people live in harmony with the ever-shifting landscape. 

Nitnit Dreaming Cultural Cruise 

Nitmiluk Gorge is an inspiring natural wonder comprising 13 different gorges, carved over a millennia by the Katherine River. On the Nitnit Dreaming Cultural Cruise, we explore two of these gorges, and discover the customs of the traditional land owners, the Jawoyn people. 

Karijini Visitors Centre

Engage with traditional owners at the Karijini Visitors Centre where you can learn more about Karijini National Park in the past, present and future.  

Ngilgi Cave Experience

Immerse yourself in Noongar knowledge on a short guided bushwalk before venturing into Ngilgi Cave where the good spirit Ngilgi dwells. Deep inside the Earth, you will hear Dreaming legends come alive and a mesmerising didgeridoo performance in the stillness of the cave.

Bunya Mountains First Nations Guided Walk

Hear about the nutritional benefits of the bunya seed, rich in oils and carbohydrates, and the ‘Bunya Gatherings’, where Aboriginal groups from all over southeast Queensland came together in the shadow of the trees to reap the bunya harvest and exchange information, songs and stories.

Ngaro First Nations Welcome to Country

Discover how much more there is to the Whitsunday Islands, one of Queensland’s most famous tourist spots, as you learn about Ngaro history and culture and participate in a Welcome to Country.

Parkes First Nations Ranger Walk

Hear from a local ranger as they describe the First Nations history of this area – the wildlife, nature, geography and cultural significance of this land. Take time to ask questions and understand the importance of this region to traditional owners.

Anangu Welcome to Country

Join with your leader and possibly a First Nations Anangu guide as they lead you on a Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country. This practice occurs across Australia to understand and recognise the land that you find yourself on – land of immense significance to First Nations communities.

Learn from Bawaka Traditional Owners

Make spears and Yidaki (Didgeridoos) or collect materials and dyes for basket making, or creating necklaces and other jewellery with the Bawaka traditional owners. You’ll also see the traditional hunting and gathering methods that have fed the Yolngu for generations, and to try some of the local foods. 

Karrke Walk and Talk

Enjoy a walk and talk to discover the bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and healing purposes by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people at Karrke on the south east edges of Watarrka National Park.

Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre

Visit the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre which presents artworks created by the Aboriginal groups in the area, with paintings, sculptures, wood crafts, and cross-hatching techniques on display. You can also see bark petitions which symbolise the beginning of the Indigenous Lands Rights movement. 

Yolngu Cultural Class

Be greeted with a traditional smoking ceremony Welcome to Country and general orientation to the Bawaka Homeland at the eastern edge of East Arnhem Land . A family elder will lead a Yolngu cultural class, sharing and telling the story of their homeland. 

Pudakul Cultural Experience

Travel to Wulna Country where your Limilngan-Wulna hosts – the land’s Traditional Owners – will greet you with a Cul Cul or Welcome to Country. Learn about their culture during bush tucker talks and didgeridoo and basket weaving demonstrations. 

Maruku Arts Cultural Activity

Walk to the cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole where you will be met by an Anangu guide. Your guide will provide insight into the ancient rock etchings and the stories they tell, as well as the traditions of the First Nations people of this land. 

First Nations Guided Walk

Begin your 17 kilometre walking day with an interpretive walk at Milanesia Beach with a First Nations guide who will enrich your understanding of the famous Great Ocean Road. 

Share Stories of the Yolngu People

Learn about bush medicine, the Yolngu kinship system and language, and how the Yolngu people lived on their traditional lands. At the end of the day, sit with the traditional owners around the fire to learn more about their culture, and hear the songs, music and stories of the land.

Janamarra Cave Tour 

Explore Tunnel Creek with our local Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Bunuba guide, who will share ancient rock art and reveal the legend of his ancestor, Jandamarra. He was an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800's. In this 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, we also discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. 

Guluyambi Cruise

Continue to the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land for a Guluyumbi cruise along the East Alligator River with a Bininj guide. Learn about the cultural importance of the East Alligator River to the Bininj people and take in the tranquillity and rugged beauty. Back on land, jump in a private vehicle and drive to Arnhem Land’s Mawurndaddja. This sacred complex (only recently opened to visitors) has spectacular rock art that research indicates is over 50,000 years old. Spend the afternoon exploring this atmospheric site and learning about its history from your guide.

Gubbi Gubbi Cultural Cruise

Connect with the First Nations people of the area, the Gubbi Gubbi people, on a memorable two-hour cultural cruise. As you sail along the picturesque Mooloolaba canals, your Indigenous guide will point out cultural sites, places for hunting and gatherings, and where the stories and songs of Dreamtime started.

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