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Uluru & Alice Springs

Explore the spiritual heart of Australia with an Aboriginal guide.

SEIT Outback Australia tour guide with guests in Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia
Guests enjoying the Tali Wiru fine dining experience near Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia
Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours, Watarrka National Park, NT © Tourism Australia

Walk in the footsteps of Traditional Custodians in the Red Centre hubs of Uluru, Alice Springs and Kings Canyon.

SEIT Outback Australia tour guide with guests in Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia
Maruku Arts guide drawing in the red sand, NT © Tourism Australia

Understand the significance of Uluru

From an Aboriginal-guided tour of sacred traditional lands to a crash-course in Aboriginal astronomy as the stars twinkle above Uluru, uncover a rich array of ways to experience the Red Centre’s sacred monolith. 

Meet Aboriginal artists

Uluru is home to one of Australia’s best known Aboriginal art centres. Here you can meet artists, take a class, sign up for a cultural tour, and more.

A didgeridoo workshop with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
A bush tucker spread for a Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia tour, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Be surprised by the desert’s bounty

Australia’s Red Centre may seem like an unforgiving environment. But you’ll be amazed to discover the ingenious ways Aboriginal peoples have learned to live in harmony with this soul-stirring landscape for millennia.

Showing 14 experiences
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  • A Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia guide preparing bush tucker, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia/Ayers Rock Resort
  • A close-up of a Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia guide holding bush tucker, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
  • A bush tucker spread for a Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia tour, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

    25km from Uluru

    Bush Food Experience

    with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

    Learn about native Australian ingredients, ancient food preparation techniques and enjoy a demonstration of how these ingredients can be used in modern cooking.

    • Two people sitting in Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park on a Maruku Arts tour, NT © Tourism Australia
    • A Maruku Arts tour guide holding bush tucker, NT © Tourism Australia
    • A Maruku Arts guide smiling in front of Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia

      8km from Uluru

      Bush Medicine Workshop

      with Maruku Arts

      Senior Anangu ladies invite you to learn about the use of traditional bush medicine. Discover and sample native plants and their healing properties

      • A Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia guide sharing knowledge about the boomerang, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
      • A Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia guide sharing knowledge about the boomerang, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
      • A bush yarns tour with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT © Tourism Australia

        25km from Uluru

        Bush Yarns

        with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

        Listen to yarns told by Aboriginal storytellers about history, culture and traditional methods of foraging. You may even learn a word or two of Pitjantjatjara.

        • A didgeridoo workshop with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
        • A Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia tour guide playing the didgeridoo, NT © Tourism Australia
        • A didgeridoo workshop with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT © Tourism Australia

          25km from Uluru

          Didgeridoo Workshop

          with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

          Be enthralled by the enchanting sounds of the didgeridoo, and then try your hand at playing this traditional Aboriginal instrument. It’s not as easy as it looks.

          • Aerial shot of Maruku Arts dot painting workshop, NT © Tourism Australia
          • Maruku Arts, Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, NT © Tourism Australia
          • A close-up shot of Maruku Arts dot painting workshop, NT © Tourism Australia/NTCB

            8km from Uluru

            Dot-Painting Experience

            with Maruku Arts

            A fun and organic dot-painting workshop with a local Anangu artist. Learn about traditional art, symbols, tools and more to create your own artwork.

            • An Indigenous artist demonstrating traditional painting techniques at the Gallery of Central Australia, NT © Tourism Australia
            • A woman admiring Aboriginal art at the Gallery of Central Australia, NT © Tourism Australia
            • A man looking at Aboriginal art at the Gallery of Central Australia, NT © Tourism Australia

              25km from Uluru

              Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA) – Guided Tour

              with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

              This gallery is a platform for the Indigenous community to share their stories and cultures through art, whether sculptures and installations, print or paintings.

              • A guided garden walk with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
              • A guided garden walk with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
              • A Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia tour guide showing a little girl bush tucker on a guided garden walk, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

                25km from Uluru

                Guided Garden Walks

                with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

                Explore the flora of Ayers Rock Resort’s gardens with an Aboriginal guide, and discover how Traditional Owners lived using the bush for food and medicinal purposes.

                • Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tour, Watarrka National Park, NT © Tourism Australia
                • Bush tucker and medicine workshop with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours, NT © Tourism Australia
                • Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours, Watarrka National Park, NT © Tourism Australia

                  290km from Uluru

                  Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tour

                  with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours

                  Marvel at the intricacies of Aboriginal handicrafts, including traditional necklaces and clap sticks, and learn the secrets of bush medicines and native tucker.

                  • Two people walking through Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park on a Maruku Arts tour © Tourism Australia
                  • Two people walking through Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park on a Maruku Arts tour © Tourism Australia
                  • Maruku Arts guide drawing in the red sand, NT © Tourism Australia

                    8km from Uluru

                    Kuniya Walk – Cave Art Tour

                    with Maruku Arts

                    Gain insights into life at Uluru, hear Kuniya Tjukurpa (stories) and see Tjukuritja (stories set in stone). Explore three caves and bush foods with an Anangu guide.

                    • SEIT Outback Australia tour guide with guests in Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia
                    • SEIT Outback Australia tour guide explaining the use of a spear to a guest in Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia
                    • SEIT Outback Australia tour guide throwing a spear in Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia

                      25km from Uluru

                      SEIT Patji – A True Aboriginal Experience

                      with SEIT - Patji

                      This 4WD adventure through the Red Centre includes sunset enjoyed on a private sand dune overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa, with stories from Traditional Owners.

                      • Guests enjoying the Tali Wiru fine dining experience near Uluru, NT © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
                      • Guests enjoying the Tali Wiru fine dining experience near Uluru, NT © Tourism Australia
                      • An Indigenous chef preparing meals for the Tali Wiru fine dining experience, NT © Tourism Australia

                        25km from Uluru

                        Tali Wiru

                        with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

                        A four-course dinner highlighting native ingredients on a dune under the Southern Desert sky with views of Uluru. Creation stories and didj performances entertain.

                        • Wintjii Wiru Experience, Uluru © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT
                        • Wintjiri Wiru, Uluru, NT
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.
                        • Wintjiri Wiru, Uluru, NT
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.

                          25km from Uluru

                          Wintjiri Wiru After Dark

                          with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

                          Anangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS.

                          • Wintjii Wiru Experience, Uluru © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT
                          • Wintjiri Wiru, Uluru, NT
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.
                          • Wintjiri Wiru, Uluru, NT
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.

                            25km from Uluru

                            Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner

                            with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

                            Anangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS.

                            • Wintjii Wiru Experience, Uluru © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, NT
                            • Wintjiri Wiru, Uluru, NT
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.
                            • Wintjiri Wiru, Uluru, NT
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.

                              25km from Uluru

                              Wintjiri Wiru Twilight

                              with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Ayers Rock Resort

                              Enjoy Aussie wine and cheese while marvelling at the beauty of Uluru's silhouette at dusk. Drones, lights, traditional music and language bring this Mala story to life.

                              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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