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What's new
Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective welcomes seven new members
The Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio continues to grow, with seven extraordinary new members welcomed into the collective in 2025, taking the total to 55 members.
Best ways to discover Aboriginal seafood experiences
Think of fishing and chances are you’ll picture a rod, line and hook. But spend some time with a Traditional Custodian and soon you’ll be seeing pronged spears gliding through the air to land with a crack in the carapace of a mud crab. You’ll discover toxins in native plants that can be used to stun fish in the water. And you’ll learn about ancient stone fish traps laid across waterways, sharp hooks made from shells, and even fishing lines spun from vegetable “hair”.
Cruise into Aboriginal Cultures
From the coast to lakes and rivers, Australia’s Aboriginal communities have the same affinity with waterways as they do with land. Cruising with an Indigenous guide is the ultimate way to take a deep dive into the significance of these landscapes, and the ancient Dreamtime stories they hold.
Issue eight of Connect to Country out now
In this edition, we invite Sab Lord, a seasoned expert, to settle a hypothetical contest between an Australian "saltie" and a US alligator—his surprising answer will intrigue you. Adventurers will find thrilling experiences like snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef with Indigenous guides and quad biking across vast sand dunes. Highlights also include a feature on tourism operators that are helping ensure that First Nations cultures remain strong for future generations, a journey into the Red Centre, and a feature on Tasmania’s award-winning wukalina Walk.
Discover Aboriginal Experiences spotlights Indigenous wellness ahead of World Mental Health Day
It's World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2024. And it’s evident that more than ever, we’re globally seeking experiences that soothe our soul, make us switch off, help us become more mindful and connect us to Country – and reconnect with ourselves in the process.
The answer to managing Australia's bushfire risk could lie in traditional Aboriginal practices
Indigenous communities across Australia have managed the threat of bushfires in a sustainable way for millennia. And their knowledge of the land, and how to avoid disaster, is being preserved and put to use across the country.
Aboriginal Dining Experiences that Elevate Native Produce
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia, the bush is a veritable supermarket – if you know where to look.
Traditional Aboriginal Healing: The Ancient Art of Wellness
Think wellness is protein shakes, superfoods, day spas and mindfulness? Aboriginal cultures put another spin on what we perceive as a modern trend.
Step into Nature's Pharmacy on an Aboriginal Tour
Being amid nature makes you feel good – we’ve known it for centuries, and today science proves it. But for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, it heals in more ways in one, with many native Australian plants packed with medicinal qualities that will cure what ails you.
In the footsteps of the palawa on Tasmania/lutruwita's wukalina Walk
Tasmania’s/lutruwita’s Indigenous-owned tourism offering, wukalina Walk takes trekkers around a postcard-perfect patch of the state’s northeast. And if you needed extra incentive to try the experience, it has just been listed on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places List for 2024. Here’s what to expect.
Starry Nights: Aboriginal tours that offer overnight immersion
Daytime visits to Australia’s most culturally significant sites inspire when you’re in the company of an Aboriginal guide, but multi-day trips can take your experience to the next level. Here are just some of the Discover Aboriginal Experiences’ that take you on an overnight adventure. By Natasha Dragun
Exclusive places you can only visit with an Aboriginal guide
As vast and open as Australia is, pockets of the country are inaccessible because their sacred status requires they be visited only with an Aboriginal guide. This not only offers exclusivity, but also takes you on an immersive journey into Indigenous histories and cultures, with insights that reveal just how wide, wonderful and ancient Australia really is. By Natasha Dragun
5 uniquely Australian experiences for culture-loving couples
Date night in Australia isn’t limited to dinner and a movie. If you’re looking to spice things up, grab your partner and try one of these experiences spotlighting Indigenous cultures. By Natasha Dragun
How to explore Queensland in, on and beside the water – with Indigenous guides
From the Great Barrier Reef to Mossman Gorge, much of life in Queensland revolves around the water. The state’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities reveal their strong connections to the state’s rivers, waterfalls, oceans and inlets.
3 unexpected Aboriginal experiences in Queensland
Spanning immense distances and ecosystems – from the Torres Strait Islands at the top of the state to the outback, rainforest and reef – Queensland’s Indigenous cultures are diverse. Needless to say, the experiences you can have on Country are eye-opening, and often unexpected. By Natasha Dragun
Discover Australia’s newest World Heritage Site
Australia’s newest World Heritage Site reveals the 6,600-year-old ingenuity of the Gunditjmara people. By Natasha Dragun
Issue seven of Connect to Country out now
In this edition we feature a new luxury Tiwi Islands Escape and highlight some of the incredible Aboriginal-led experiences available in Broome. We highlight movie locations where you can learn some older, epic tales from the Traditional Owners of the land and then take the plunge into some special swimming spots, where culture and heritage collide.
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.
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.
Understanding Aboriginal etiquette
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?
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.
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.
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.
Seeing Uluru in a new light
We were there when Wintjiri Wiru launched in May this year, and enjoyed a fascinating panel discussion about the show.
Meet our newest member: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours
From Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Indigenous rangers take guests on an immersive ride to explore this country through Aboriginal eyes.
5 globally sought-after travel experiences elevated by Aboriginal guides
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.
Uncover the deep cultural significance of Aboriginal place names
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.
4 surprising facts about Aboriginal travel experiences
Australia is home to some of the world’s most outstanding Indigenous tourism experiences, but many are still relatively unknown to travellers, at home and abroad.
Discover Sydney/Warrane with an Aboriginal guide
Sydney/Warrane may be famous for its sparkling harbour and beautiful beaches, but it’s also home to vibrant Aboriginal cultures that can shed a fascinating new light on the city and surrounds.
Be immersed in Aboriginal cultures around Uluru & Alice Springs
It’s an authentic journey of discovery when you travel to the heart of Australia’s Red Centre with the land’s Traditional Custodians.
Learn the Aboriginal stories of Melbourne/Narrm
In a city as cosmopolitan and industrialised as Melbourne/Narrm, it may surprise you to learn that you don’t have to travel far to experience Aboriginal cultures.
Cultural insights
Understanding Aboriginal etiquette
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?
Our guides
Steven Jacobs - In Culture Tours
“I am not afraid to tell people Indigenous stories and truths that they have never heard before."
Gary Creek - Flames of the Forest
“It’s very addictive to see how enlightened people become after watching a Flames performance.”
Corey Turner – Southern Cultural Immersion
“It’s been a fantastic and emotional journey to go from a sole trader to a thriving Aboriginal owned company.”
Bart Pigram – Narlijia Experiences
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 - Dale Tilbrook Experiences
Dale Tilbrook needs little prompting to discuss her favourite topic, the native foodstuffs Australians call ‘bush tucker’.
Rob Hyatt — Koorie Heritage Trust
“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.
Margret Campbell — Dreamtime Southern X
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.
Juan Walker — Walkabout Cultural Adventures
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.
On tour
4 Days Cairns/Gimuy - Premium
Immerse yourself in Creation stories on a Great Barrier Reef cruise, explore the Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide, encounter diverse wildlife in the Atherton Tablelands, and enjoy a helicopter tour to a 20,000-year-old rock art site on this private and small group touring itinerary. Extend your adventure with three extra nights at Mt Mulligan, a luxurious outback lodge just a few hours' drive from Cairns.
6 Days Sydney / Warrane, Port Stephens, and Hunter Valley
Discover Sydney / Warrane's rich cultural tapestry and iconic landmarks before venturing to the thrills of Port Stephens' sand dunes. Then, immerse yourself in the heritage of the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region, for unforgettable winery experiences.
8 Days Adelaide/Tarntanya & Ikara-Flinders Ranges Road Trip
Experience Adelaide/Tarntanya’s vibrant culture, savour world-class wines in the Barossa Valley, and delve into Adnyamathanha culture at Wilpena Pound amidst the rugged beauty of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park where ancient landscapes tell timeless stories.
5 Days in Central Australia
From the desert town of Alice Springs to the towering undulations of Uluru, one of Australia’s most iconic outback routes, the Red Centre Way, is a road trip that takes in Aboriginal cultures from galleries to forested canyons. Devote at least five days to it.
5 Days Broome/Rubibi & Kimberley region
Broome/Rubibi and the Dampier Peninsula, on the Kimberley coastline of Western Australia, combine stunning natural beauty and fascinating Aboriginal history.
6 Day Kakadu and Katherine Road Trip
Immerse yourself in Indigenous cultures on a road trip through the Top End. Cruise to tropical islands, go croc watching and indulge in bush tucker in Australia’s Northern Territory. Set aside six days to delve deeper into the Top End’s Aboriginal cultures, as well as this region’s Creation stories and its spiritual links to the landscape.
7 Days Tropical North Queensland
Connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in World-Heritage listed reef and rainforest settings.
Drift back to the Dreamtime on a Great Barrier Reef cruise with a difference
The natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef is perhaps seen most memorably through the snorkel mask of an Indigenous Sea Ranger guide.
Seeing Sydney in a new light on a bridge climb with a difference
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an Indigenous storyteller guide puts Aboriginal cultures into perspective.
Cultural connection on an Aboriginal Kakadu cruise
On the Northern Territory’s East Alligator River, a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise offers a different perspective on an ancient landscape.
Look, listen, smell: How to really explore World Heritage-listed Shark Bay
Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell loves to show the world his Country – Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) on Western Australia’s magnificent Coral Coast.
Cultural flavours of Australia's Red Centre
Taste a witchetty grub and discover Aboriginal cultures near Kings Canyon, in Australia’s Red Centre.
Free magazine
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 8
In this edition, we invite Sab Lord, a seasoned expert, to settle a hypothetical contest between an Australian "saltie" and a US alligator—his surprising answer will intrigue you. Adventurers will find thrilling experiences like snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and quad biking across vast sand dunes with Indigenous guides. Highlights also include a feature on tourism operators that are helping ensure that First Nations cultures remain strong for future generations, a journey into the Red Centre, and a feature on Tasmania’s award-winning wukalina Walk.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 7
In this edition we feature a new luxury Tiwi Islands Escape and highlight some of the incredible Aboriginal-led experiences available in Broome. In South Australia, visitors can explore the sprawling and culturally significant wetlands surrounding the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre whilst, in the heart of Melbourne, the newly renovated Koorie Heritage Trust provides a central hub of Aboriginal art and knowledge. We highlight movie locations where you can learn some older, epic tales from the Traditional Owners of the land and then take the plunge into some special swimming spots, where culture and heritage collide.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 6
Read all about the experiences you can have after dark with Discover Aboriginal Experiences members; take a deep dive into the offerings of Tiwi by Design in the Northern Territory; discover the activities that not only inform but get your heart pumping; and better understand the Aboriginal cultural stories that mark some of our biggest cities.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 5
Read about a bucket list of experiences in areas so incredible that they have been recognised by UNESCO for their Outstanding Universal Value to Humanity, Indigenous food experiences that combine a love of fine dining with an interest in Aboriginal cultures, survival skills developed by Aboriginal peoples over thousands of years and more.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 4
Read about sleeping off-grid and under the stars, how Aboriginal communities have embraced conservation practices for millennia, and the significance of Tourism Australia’s dual naming initiatives, among many other features.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 3
Get a taste of Aboriginal cultures in Kakadu National Park, a volcano crater near Melbourne/Narrm, the rainforests of Queensland and other culture-packed destinations.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 2
Walk with an Aboriginal guide in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, take a cultural stand-up paddleboarding tour on the New South Wales Coffs Coast and more.
Connect to Country digital magazine issue 1
Use every sense to immerse yourself in Aboriginal cultures, from Australia’s spectacular Red Centre to the alleyways of The Rocks in Sydney Harbour and beyond.
Brochure
Discover Aboriginal Experiences brochure
Looking for an extraordinary travel experience? View our brochure for detailed information on each of the experiences in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective.
Traveller newsletter
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Want to know more about Aboriginal cultures?
Perhaps you are looking for inspiration for your next Aboriginal experience?
Here’s your free digital magazine.
Presented by Tourism Australia and Discover Aboriginal Experiences, Connect to Country takes you on a journey across Aboriginal Australia, exploring the special relationship that Aboriginal peoples have with the land and sea, from our dazzling coasts to our vibrant cities and beyond.
Whether you’re a purveyor of nature and wildlife, an adventure seeker, an aficionado of the arts or a foodie, there’s something for everyone when it comes to experiencing this connection for yourself. Find out more in the latest issue of Connect to Country.
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.
