Skip to content

Discover Aboriginal Experiences welcomes five new members

From Broome in Western Australia to a World Heritage-listed site in Victoria, the five newest members in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio offer a range of eye-opening experiences lasting from a few hours to a few days.

Experience the Budj Bim World Heritage-listed Cultural Landscape sites with a Gunditjmara guide.

Experience the Budj Bim World Heritage-listed Cultural Landscape sites with a Gunditjmara guide.

Mabu Buru Tours and Kimberley Cultural Adventures, both in Western Australia; Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism in Victoria; Southern Cultural Immersion in South Australia; and Jarramali Rock Art Tours in Queensland are the latest members to join the Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio.

Mabu Buru Tours hosts a number of immersive experiences around Broome, including a traditional Aboriginal dance performance, a cultural talk on Cable Beach and a special four-night journey staying in comfortable hotel accommodation. Guided by Johani, a proud Indigenous man, explore the landscapes around Broome, savour seasonal fruits, meet local wildlife, and delve into ancient lore and traditions. More than a tour, it’s an in-depth journey fostering understanding of Aboriginal life and history.

The Wakaj Experience, Mabu Buru Tours

The Wakaj Experience, Mabu Buru Tours

Also in the Broome region, guide Robert Dann’s passion and love of his Country and culture is the drive and inspiration behind Kimberley Cultural Adventures’ experiences. The tours allow Robert to share the full story of the region’s First Nations people as well as his cultural knowledge, family history and experiences. You’ll also hear stories of how Broome became the centre of the world’s pearling industry, explore forgotten roads and historic landmarks, and hear the local stories connected to them. Robert also offers a tour of the Beagle Bay Mission – visit the Sacred Heart Church and discover Aboriginal tales from the mission days.

Kimberley Cultural Adventures © Kimberley Cultural Adventures

Kimberley Cultural Adventures © Kimberley Cultural Adventures

In Adelaide, Southern Cultural Immersion is based at Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, from where you can partake in experiences led by an Aboriginal guide to explore native flora and bush tucker, and visit important cultural sites. Southern Cultural Immersion (SCI) is a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and -operated business, sharing culture on the Traditional Lands of the Kaurna People around the South Australian capital. Join a tour to discover First Nations history, significant Aboriginal sites, traditional practices, native plants and more. The goal is to create positive outcomes and a shared vision for a reconciled Australia. Cultural tours, community engagement, art and authentic experiences are all fundamental aspects of the broad portfolio of services offered by SCI.

Southern Cultural Tour ©Southern Cultural Immersion

Southern Cultural Tour ©Southern Cultural Immersion

Located on southwestern Victoria’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, the Gunditjmara-owned and -operated Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre stands on a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed solely for its Aboriginal cultural significance. This extraordinary region bears evidence of one of the world's oldest and most extensive aquaculture systems, dating back over 6,600 years. The Gunditjmara people ingeniously constructed an intricate network of channels, weirs and dams to capture and harvest kooyang (eels), showcasing their remarkable engineering prowess. From the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, visitors embark on cultural tours led by Gunditjmara guides, discovering ancient lava flows, fish traps, eel smoking trees and remnants of Aboriginal stone huts.

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism offer cultural tours led by Gunditjmara guides © Tourism Australia

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism offer cultural tours led by Gunditjmara guides © Tourism Australia

Finally in northern Queensland, Jarramali Rock Art Tours returns to the Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio, with guide Johnny Murison hosting full-day and overnight tours to a very special rock-art site that archaeologists describe as a 20,000-year-old outback museum. Through hidden Quinkan rock art, delve deeper and unravel the ancient stories of the Kuku Yalanji people to learn more about Australia’s Indigenous history. Tours depart from Laura in a 4WD or Cairns in a helicopter, and you can bed down in an exclusive camp site with unbroken views over the Queensland outback.

Jarramali Rock Art Tours, QLD © Tourism Australia

Jarramali Rock Art Tours, QLD © Tourism Australia

bush-tucker-voyages-indigenous-tourism-queensland

You might also like

Gary Creek, Flames of the Forest, Port Douglas Queensland Tourism Australia

Port Douglas

Gary Creek - Flames of the Forest

by Natasha Dragun

“It’s very addictive to see how enlightened people become after watching a Flames performance.”

Corey Turner, Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission

Adelaide/Tarntanya

Corey Turner – Southern Cultural Immersion

by Natasha Dragun

“It’s been a fantastic and emotional journey to go from a sole trader to a thriving Aboriginal owned company.”

Narlijia Experiences, Broome, WA © Tourism Australia

Broome

Bart Pigram – Narlijia Experiences

by Natasha Dragun

The Yawuru man from the Kimberley region of Western Australia tells a fascinating story of Country, community and culture on his daily Broome tours.

Dale Tilbrook Experiences, Swan Valley, WA © Tourism Australia

Dale Tilbrook - Dale Tilbrook Experiences

by Katrina Lobley

Dale Tilbrook needs little prompting to discuss her favourite topic, the native foodstuffs Australians call ‘bush tucker’.

Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne/Narrm, VIC © Visit Victoria

Rob Hyatt — Koorie Heritage Trust

by Katrina Lobley

“A lot of visitors to the Koorie Heritage Trust have no idea what Aboriginal cultures look like in an urban setting,” says Rob Hyatt, the organisation’s cultural education manager.

Dreamtime Southern X, Sydney/Warrane, NSW © Destination NSW

Margret Campbell — Dreamtime Southern X

by Katrina Lobley

Aunty Margret Campbell is the founder-owner and managing director of Dreamtime Southern X, which runs tours offering fascinating insights into the Aboriginal Dreamtime beginnings of Sydney/Warrane.

Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Mossman, QLD © Tourism Australia

Juan Walker — Walkabout Cultural Adventures

by Katrina Lobley

Juan Walker was a shy young man considering an electrician’s apprenticeship at a mine when relatives talked him into staying on Country in Tropical North Queensland.

Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery, Lansdowne, NT © Tourism Australia

Manuel Pamkal – Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery

by Katrina Lobley

Manuel Pamkal was born in a Northern Territory community so remote that the first time he saw a white person, he thought he was looking at a ghost.

Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Marie Barbieri

Mick McKenzie – Wilpena Pound Resort

by Katrina Lobley

Sharing culture is a passion that runs deep in Mick McKenzie’s family. “My late grandfather said to me back in the 1940s, ‘How can we teach our culture if we don’t share it?’,” Mick explains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Discover Aboriginal Experiences?

Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collective of quality, authentic Aboriginal guided tourism experiences showcasing the world’s oldest living cultures. 

This flagship suite of extraordinary Aboriginal experiences is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program that promotes outstanding and inspiring experiences that capture the very essence of Australia.

Why isn’t it called Discover Indigenous Experiences?

The name of the collective was informed by the strong international recognition of the term ‘Aboriginal’ and its association with Australia, though all references to Aboriginal peoples on the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website should be assumed to include Torres Strait Islander peoples where relevant.

If I’ve done an Aboriginal tour before, why book another?

Aboriginal Australia is made up of dozens of different 'Nations’, each with their own culture, customs, language and laws. This means that no two Aboriginal experiences are the same, so you’re guaranteed to learn something new on each and every tour, from ancient sustainability practices to cultural stories linked to the local landscape.  

There’s also an incredible diversity of Aboriginal experiences to choose from. Whether you prefer relaxed walking tours, or an exhilarating quad-biking adventure is more your style, Aboriginal tour options come in all shapes and sizes, and last from less than an hour to multiple days.

Do I need to go to the outback for an Aboriginal tour?

The Australian outback is well known for its Aboriginal experiences, but you don’t have to go bush, as we say in Australia, to get a taste of Aboriginal cultures. Aboriginal experiences are available all over the country, all year round, including in major cities.

Are Aboriginal experiences appropriate for kids?

Aboriginal experiences offer fantastic opportunities for families of all kinds to learn together and bond, with many experiences including hands-on activities young ones will love.  

Aboriginal guides are warm, welcoming and extremely generous of spirit. They are also incredible storytellers, with a knack for bringing landscapes to life through evocative tales bound to enthral kids big and small.

How can I be considerate of culture on an Aboriginal tour?

Cultural exchange is at the heart of Aboriginal experiences, with questions welcomed on all tours. Your guides may not always have the answers, but no questions are off-limits if posed respectfully.

Remember to ask permission before taking photographs of Aboriginal people or cultural sites.

How do I book an Aboriginal tour?

Simply search for tours on the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website, then click through to book directly with the operator.

Where can I find a travel agent to help me book an experience?

An Aussie Specialist has the knowledge and experience to help you plan and book an Aboriginal-guided tour as part of your trip to Australia. Search for a travel agent here .

I have restricted mobility or special needs. Can I still book a tour?

Many Aboriginal operators are equipped to cater to guests with restricted mobility and other special needs. Most companies also offer private tours that can be tailored to your needs; enquire directly with the operators.

Are all of the experiences listed on this website currently available?

Tours and experiences offered by Discover Aboriginal Experiences operators are continually evolving. Contact operators directly for more information about their current offerings.

What should I bring with me on a tour?

Check with your operator for specifics, but if your tour is outdoors, comfortable walking shoes, adequate drinking water and sun protection are essential. A willingness to listen, learn and have fun will serve you well on any Aboriginal tour.

Do I need to be vaccinated?

The Australian Government no longer requires international travellers to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia. Some Discover Aboriginal Experiences operators may have COVID-19 health requirements of their own; contact operators directly to check.

Burrawa-Indigenous-Climb-Sydney-New-South-Wales