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How to experience Aboriginal cultures when staying at a Luxury Lodge of Australia

The Luxury Lodges of Australia portfolio includes some of the country’s most ravishing and remote properties – places that offer every comfort imaginable, but also a strong sense of place and culture. Check in to one, and you can also take a deep dive into the region’s strong Indigenous traditions on a Discover Aboriginal Experiences tour.

An aerial view of the El Questro Lodge in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia © Tourism Australia

An aerial view of the El Questro Lodge in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia © Tourism Australia

From the Northern Territory to Tasmania, Australia has its fair share of opulent lodges – places that are far from cookie-cutter, and that embrace the destination and culture of the communities that they call home. Part of the Signature Experiences of Australia suite of offerings, Luxury Lodges of Australia unites these exceptional properties as a collective – all are located in an extraordinary region of Australia, all come with the niceties you’d expect of five-star accommodations. But Luxury Lodges of Australia are much more than just a place to stay – their real point of difference is connecting you to place, and in many cases, that means connection with Indigenous heritage. Here’s how you can check into beautiful accommodation, and then take a deep dive into Aboriginal cultures and traditions. The lodge: Silky Oaks This eco-lodge sits pretty in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland, overlooking the serene Mossman River.

Woman floating in an idyllic pool at Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland © Luxury Lodges of Australia

Woman floating in an idyllic pool at Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland © Luxury Lodges of Australia

The experiences: Silky Oaks collaborates with a number of DAE members to offer insights into local Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal culture. Sign up to join Juan Walker on one of his Walkabout Cultural Adventures, exploring Cooya Beach (his ancestral home), visiting Mossman Gorge, hunting for mud crabs in mangroves and tasting bush tucker. You can also opt to visit the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, combining a smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits with a guided rainforest journey steeped in ancient culture. Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley operates Janbal Gallery in the area, the space dedicated to Aboriginal art. Silky Oaks can organise a visit that sees you get hands-on in a creative workshop decoding Kuku Yalanji symbols and painting techniques. And if you want a sky-high adventure, jump in a helicopter to an exclusive Cape York location to unravel the ancient stories of a 20,000-year-old outback museum with Jarramali Rock Art Tours.

Exploring Cooya Beach and learning how to catch mud crabs with Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Queensland © Tourism Australia

Exploring Cooya Beach and learning how to catch mud crabs with Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Queensland © Tourism Australia

The lodge: El Questro Set on more than 400,000 hectares in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, El Questro is as remote as it is ravishing. Choose from various accommodation options, including the luxe Homestead. The experience: The Traditional Owners of the land that El Questro sits on are the Ngarinyin people, and their stories are revealed on the property’s Injiid Marlabu Calls Us tour. With an Aboriginal guide, be welcomed to country, learn Ngarinyin language and wander through a vast landscape discovering bush tucker and medicines as well as ancient, and spiritual, sites.

A woman relaxing beside a bath tub at El Questro Lodge in the Kimberley region of Western Australia © Luxury Lodges of Australia

A woman relaxing beside a bath tub at El Questro Lodge in the Kimberley region of Western Australia © Luxury Lodges of Australia

The lodge: Bamurru Plains Bamurru unites style and sustainability in equal measure, providing a luxurious base for exploring the wild coastal floodplains of the Mary River delta on the edge of Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The experiences: When you stay at Bamurru Plains, you’re surrounded by rich Aboriginal history dating back more than 65,000 years. Join Kakadu Cultural Tours on a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise along Kakadu’s spectacular East Alligator River, taking in this World Heritage-listed landscape at a leisurely pace while learning about its Dreaming stories and abundant food chain from an Aboriginal guide. When you sign up for the Ultimate Luxury Safari Adventure with Lords Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris, you also have the chance to stay at Bamurru over your six days exploring the Top End’s most fascinating Aboriginal cultural sites.

A luxurious glamping tent at Bamurru Plains in the Northern Territory © Luxury Lodges of Australia

A luxurious glamping tent at Bamurru Plains in the Northern Territory © Luxury Lodges of Australia

The lodge: Longitude 131° Gaze upon Uluru from luxurious elevated tents on the edge of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Dotted among the red-rust dunes of the Central Desert, the 16 pavilions offer connection with the outback landscape and its heritage as well as a glamorous base from which to explore the incredible Red Centre. The experience: You may find it hard to tear yourself away from your Longitude base. But if you do, a immersive tour of the Gallery of Central Australia awaits. This introduction to Aboriginal art gives you the opportunity to learn about the symbols and painting styles used by local Anangu Aboriginal creatives in their artworks. Browse works, then purchase a piece to take home, knowing all profits go back to the artists that created them.

Sleeping under the stars beside a fire at luxury lodge Longitude 131 at Uluru in the Northern Territory © Luxury Lodges of Australia

Sleeping under the stars beside a fire at luxury lodge Longitude 131 at Uluru in the Northern Territory © Luxury Lodges of Australia

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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.

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