Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission

Kaurna man Corey Turner began his life in Aboriginal tourism at an early age, when he worked on tours of South Australia’s postcard- perfect Fleurieu Peninsula with his mother. It sparked a passion that saw him take over the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre at Warriparinga, a nature reserve south of Adelaide/Tarntanya. He nurtured an art gallery and retail space on the culturally significant grounds, and began expanding operations – think cultural training, workshops, performances… and then mobs tours through his company Southern Cultural Immersion.

Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission

I noticed that some of my staff were really interested in, and had amazing knowledge of, plants. So we sat down and worked out a way to explore Aboriginal knowledge of native plants at the Adelaide Botanic Garden,” Corey says. He and his staff today lead hands-on tours through the leafy expanse, decoding medicinal plants and bush tucker, as well as walking tours through Adelaide city centre. “There are lots of Aboriginal sacred sites around the gardens and the city,” says Corey. “Like scar trees [where bark was removed from trees to be used for various purposes, from creating canoes to baskets], and a site where Elders past would camp out.”

Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission

Corey’s reason for growing Southern Cultural Immersion comes down to a single point: demystifying Aboriginal culture. “People who don’t understand or know about our culture have this romance about what it is… they generally think we dance around in loin cloths and play the didgeridoo. Our tours are about telling the truth, and informing people so we can move forward. They’re also about showing people how absolutely incredible and beautiful this country is, and what a natural bounty we have offered to us. Aboriginal people have been conserving it for millennia. And we want to share our knowledge on how to do this for future generations,” Corey says.

Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission

“For example, plants need slow burns, to ensure that there are no out of control bushfires. We have been doing this for thousands of years. And Aboriginal communities leave middens [piles of shells and bones], to tell other what has been eaten in an area recently, and what should be protected. It’s incredible to think this has been our knowledge for so long.”