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See South Australia with fresh eyes on an Aboriginal experience.

Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Tourism Australia
Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Tourism Australia
Southern Cultural Tour, Southern Cultural Immersion, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Strike out from Adelaide/Tarntanya for Aboriginal experiences in South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and beyond.

Wilpena-Pound-Resort-South-Australia
Warriparinga Cultural and Historical Tour, Southern Cultural Immersion, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Learn the stories behind Aboriginal plant names

Discover the significance of native flora and fauna, and how they have been used by Aboriginal communities for millennia.

Immerse yourself in nature

Explore the spectacular outback landscape of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, north of Adelaide/Tarntanya, on the traditional homelands of the Adnyamantha people.

Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Tourism Australia
Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Tourism Australia

Embrace Aboriginal touring options

Aboriginal cultural walks, 4WD tours, camping under the stars, bushwalking and spectacular scenic flights are just a few ways to experience South Australia’s surreal landscapes.

Showing 9 experiences
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  • Southern Cultural Tour ©Southern Cultural Immersion
  • Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission
  • Southern Cultural Immersion © South Australian Tourism Commission

    1km from Adelaide

    Adelaide CBD Cultural Tour

    with Southern Cultural Immersion

    Discover the wonderful and tragic colonial history of Adelaide while visiting several sites and seeing the heart of the city from a First Nations perspective.

    • A Wilpena Pound Resort tour guide welcoming guests, SA © Tourism Australia
    • A Wilpena Pound Resort tour guide welcoming guests, SA © Tourism Australia
    • Wallabies at Wilpena Pound Resort, SA © Tourism Australia

      50km from Wilpena Pound Airport

      Adnyamathanha Yarta – Welcome To Country

      with Wilpena Pound Resort

      Enjoy a traditional Welcome to Country by the Yura people, offering the chance to immerse yourself in Indigenous cultures and interact with the local Yura people.

      •  A couple with a Wilpena Pound tour guide in the bush, SA © Tourism Australia

        50km from Wilpena Pound Airport

        Akarroo Adnya Adnyamathanha Rock Art Tour

        with Wilpena Pound Resort

        Accompany an Adnyamathanha guide for a walk on Country to Akarroo Adnya (Rock), where your guide will share fascinating stories behind its ancient paintings.

        • botanic-gardens-tour
        • Guide on Botanic Gardens tour © Southern Cultural Immersion
        • Image of Botanic Garden Tour © Southern Cultural Immersion

          1km from Adelaide

          Cultural Tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

          with Southern Cultural Immersion

          Visit the Gardens with an Aboriginal guide, learn the First Nations history, discover native plants and uses, and explore the connection Aboriginal people hold with Country.

          • Guests on a Sacred Canyon Tour with Wilpena Pound Resort, SA © Tourism Australia
          • Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Marie Barbieri
          • Guests on a Sacred Canyon Tour with Wilpena Pound Resort, SA © South Australian Tourist Commission

            50km from Wilpena Pound Airport

            Sacred Canyon Yura Mulka Cultural Walk

            with Wilpena Pound Resort

            Join an Adnyamathanha guide into Sacred Canyon to discover the cultural significance and ancient rock engravings from the perspective of the Traditional Owners.

            • ©Southern Cultural Immersion
            • ©Southern Cultural Immersion
            • Tour participants, Southern Cultural Immersion, SA ©Southern Cultural Immersion

              74km from Adelaide

              Southern Cultural Tour

              with Southern Cultural Immersion

              A bus tour visiting significant Kaurna cultural sites, encouraging open and honest dialogue about developing pathways in working together for future generations.

              • Warriparinga-tour
              • Warriparinga Tour © Southern Cultural Immersion
              • Warriparinga-tour

                13km from Adelaide

                Warriparinga Cultural & Historical Tour

                with Southern Cultural Immersion

                Aboriginal guides lead you on this interactive tour of Warriparinga grounds and wetlands, where you’ll learn the history of the site and its traditional cultural significance.

                • A 4WD driving through Ikara-Flinders Rangers National Park, SA © Tourism Australia
                •  Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort at night, Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission
                • Wilpena Pound Resort pool facilities at night, SA © Wilpena Pound Resort

                  50km from Wilpena Pound Airport

                  Wilpena Pound and Ikara Safari Camp

                  with Wilpena Pound Resort

                  Check into resort rooms, glamping safari tents, powered campsites, unpowered bush campsites with access to a restaurant, bar, pool, store, petrol and more.

                  • A Wilpena Pound Resort guide pointing in the distance with guests, SA © Tourism Australia
                  • A Wilpena Pound Resort guide showing guests local plants on a tour, SA © Tourism Australia
                  • A Wilpena Pound Resort guide pointing to a wallaby in the bush, SA © Tourism Australia

                    50km from Wilpena Pound Airport

                    Yura Undyu – Our Culture, Your Culture

                    with Wilpena Pound Resort

                    This leisurely walk with an Aboriginal guide takes you to Old Wilpena Station, one of South Australia’s oldest and best preserved pastoral settlements.

                    An aerial of a woman swimming in Mount Mulligan Falls, QLD © Tourism Australia

                    What's New

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                    Quad bikes driving past water on a Sand Dune Adventures tour in Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia

                    Discover Aboriginal Experiences launches 4 member case studies on sustainable tourism for Earth Day 2024

                    A collective of quality, authentic, Aboriginal-guided tourism offerings, Discover Aboriginal Experiences (DAE) is delighted to launch four case studies on collective members going to extraordinary lengths when it comes to sustainable tourism, whether that relates to protecting the environment, community, culture – or all three.

                    Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism Australia

                    How to experience regenerative travel on an Aboriginal tour

                    More than ever, tourists are conscious of the impact their presence has on the landscapes they visit – particularly when they’re travelling to fragile, far-flung environments. Welcome to ‘regenerative travel’, the concept of leaving a place better than you found it and the next step in sustainable travel.

                    Dreamtime Southern X’s Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony at Blues Point Reserve, NSW © Destination NSW

                    Meet the women leading the Aboriginal tourism charge

                    Much of the growth in Aboriginal cultural tourism has happened in the years since Sydney/Warrane hosted the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, and many credit Aunty Margret Campbell with spearheading the movement. An Elder from New South Wales’ Dunghutti-Jerrinja Nation, Margret has seen a huge shift in awareness over the last two decades.

                    Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness Tourism Australia

                    Discover Aboriginal Experiences launches exciting trade and media offerings

                    Journalists and trade can take a deep dive into the DAE collective via the freshly launched 2024 Discover Aboriginal Experiences Media Kit, which contains a comprehensive portfolio of stories and ideas to inspire features and offer insights into Australia’s rich history and the world’s oldest living cultures.

                    budj-bim-cultural-landscape

                    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.

                    As custodians of the land, Anangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru. To share their story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.

                    Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

                    Seeing Uluru in a new light

                    by Natasha Dragun

                    We were there when Wintjiri Wiru launched in May this year, and enjoyed a fascinating panel discussion about the show.

                    mandingalabay-cruise

                    Meet our newest member: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours

                    by Natasha Dragun

                    From Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Indigenous rangers take guests on an immersive ride to explore this country through Aboriginal eyes.

                    Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, Ayers Rock Resort, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

                    Understanding Aboriginal etiquette

                    by Fleur Bainger

                    Did you know it’s impolite in Aboriginal cultures to look someone directly in the eye? Or that shaking hands isn’t always the done thing? How about that it’s taboo for women to play the didgeridoo?

                    Wukalina walk, Launceston, TAS © Rob Burnett

                    5 globally sought-after travel experiences elevated by Aboriginal guides

                    by Fleur Bainger

                    Australia lays claim to a world-renowned suite of tourism experiences. But it’s not as well known that many of these bucket-list activities can be experienced with an Aboriginal guide.

                    An aerial of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and ocean, WA © Tourism Australia

                    Uncover the deep cultural significance of Aboriginal place names

                    by Natasha Dragun

                    For more than 65,000 years, Aboriginal place names have carried knowledge passed down through generations. They’re symbolic of the Indigenous relationships to, and appreciation for, the land and water.

                    Frequently Asked Questions

                    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.

                    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.

                    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.

                    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 .

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