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Right in your own backyard
Issue 30 - 30 Apr 2003
Right in your own backyard
By Tamara Giles
With unrest throughout the Middle East, terrorism threats and the SARS virus, overseas travel is a dangerous proposition for Australian tourists.
So why not take a look at your own backyard and explore Australia’s Indigenous heritage? The Indigenous tourism industry is booming and every State has something to offer. Tamara Giles takes a look at what’s available...
In North Queensland the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park promises something for every family member.
Situated on 25 acres of land owned by the Tjapukai people at Caravonica, north of Cairns, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a stunning theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal culture from the beginning of time into the future.
With seven separate arenas it allows visitors to experience the rainforest people’s culture - from the provocative History Theatre to the inspiring Creation Theatre, and the original Dance Theatre and the interactive Camp Village, where visitors can learn didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing.
Their latest show is Tjapukai by night - a powerful and personal experience that is winning hearts and minds. Gadja and Quinkan spirits introduce the Dreamtime, where guests become an interactive part of an ancient corroboree ritual climaxing in the ceremonial making of a fire.
Then, the Tjapukai guide the guests along a flamelit pathway to a dinner banquet of the region's best food and wines. The final performance occurs afterwards as the Tjapukai claim the stage, presenting Indigenous culture with their inimitable blend of Broadway-style theatre and black humour.
The show starts at 7.30pm every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with transfers departing Cairns accommodation at 6.40pm.
There are many packages that are on offer for this wonderful experience, but for park entry only it’s adults $28 and children $14. For more information contact the park on 07 4042 9900 or go to the website www.tjapukai.com.au.
Gringai Aboriginal Cultural Tours operates from Singleton in the Hunter Valley, two and half-hours north of Sydney and one and half-hours from Newcastle. The region is famous for being Australia's largest coal mining area and one of the largest wine producing regions.
The company commenced operations in 1994 to provide Aboriginal education in the Hunter Valley. It was the first Aussie Host Aboriginal business in Australia. The owner of Gringai, Laurie Perry, is a well-known Aboriginal sporting and business identity.
Gringai Aboriginal Cultural Tours will take you on a journey that will not only excite you, but also teach you how the first Australians lived. The tour guides from Gringai are descendants of the Wonnaruah people, who traditionally lived in the Hunter Valley for many millennia before non-Indigenous people came to these shores.
Rock paintings, some over 4,000 years old, tell stories of the Dreamtime which Aboriginal guides explain, so visitors learn about the richness of Aboriginal culture.
Gringai will show you the heart of the Hunter Valley and take you on a unique Aboriginal experience to significant rock art sites and Aboriginal history in the region. Gringai offer packages which include Aboriginal dance with international dance group Yidaki, Didj & Dance and the flavours of native Australia with food from the bushtucker lady.
On one tour you will visit Bulga Mountain to view the cave of the Aboriginal god 'Baiame'. In this cave the guides tell the story of Baiame and what he means to the Hunter Valley's original people.
From Bulga Mountain you will be able to view the panoramic splendour as you've never seen it before and catch glimpses of native wildlife.
Tour packages start at $35 and go up to $80 per person, which includes lunch and exploring a number of sites. If you have a school group, Gringai have a special education package available. For bookings contact Laurie Perry at Gringai Aboriginal Cultural Tours on 02 6572 4935.
If you’re visiting the centre of Australia and looking for an evening of great entertainment, you may want to venture over to the Red Centre Resort and check out the Red Centre Dreaming show.
This tour has become quite popular over the last few years, particularly being a night-time performance.
The Red Centre Dreaming Dinner performance is a contemporary Aboriginal performance which honours ancestors by creating an interactive evening of unique entertainment and dining that can be enjoyed and shared by everyone.
The evening of world class entertainment includes an excellent three-course meal prepared by the gourmet chefs from the Red Centre Resort. They prepare unique Australian dishes such as kangaroo and barramundi, depending upon the season. This is followed by a dance performance full of fun and infotainment. Audience participation is encouraged and many people enjoy the experience.
This fabulous evening of entertainment including dinner costs $85. Transfers are available from other hotels and bookings can be made by contacting the Red Centre Resort on 08 8950 5555.
Jahadi Indigenous Experiences conduct tours that operate out of Deloraine in Tasmania.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Hank Horton runs the full and half day tours which include walks through the Tassie wilderness to unique Aboriginal sites, caves, shelters and middens.
The Full Day Tour is from 9am- 4pm. The tour visits Meander Valley area, taking a unique look at the Tassie wilderness. Visiting Kooparoona Niara (the great western tiers) the tour sees rivers and streams, mountains and wildlife. Have a restful day or take a short walk amongst the trees and giant man ferns in the area. Jahadi staff provides both morning and afternoon tea and a full BBQ lunch in the bush, along with traditional Aboriginal bush tuckers.
The half day tours are from 9.30am–1pm. This tour visits Liffey Falls reserves where you can see Aboriginal rock shelters and sites, take a walk through old growth rainforest and finish with Billy tea, damper and bush tucker. Jahadi also has specially tailored tours for those who are looking for something a little more adventurous like a 4WD tour. Cultural tours for school groups are also available. Full day tours cost $110 pp and half-day tours are $85pp. If you’re in Tasmania take some time to look at Indigenous culture by contacting Jahadi Tours on 03 6363 6172 or visiting their website at www.jahadi.com.au.
Darngku Heritage Cruises are located at Fitzroy Crossing in the northern part of Western Australia.
Their tours provide the opportunity to see the magnificent features of Darngku, Geikie Gorge National Park in the West Kimberley through the eyes of its traditional Aboriginal owners.
With your Bunuba guides you will cruise the placid waters of Geikie Gorge, climb Bunbura Lookout on the top of the Napier Range, hear the story of Mangunambi and look for bush foods on the Larrawan Walk.
Fresh water crocodiles and birdlife abounds. The waters of the Fitzroy River in Darngku are the home of barramundi, fresh water sharks, bream and other species.
Charter fishing tours are offered on application. Lunch beside the Fitzroy River is included on some departures.
Client comfort and safety are important. The guides carry two way radios with them for communication. Clients must wear covered footwear and have appropriate protection against the sun.
Bunuba people have operated Darngku Heritage Cruises since 1997. The directors and staff are part of the Traditional Owner group.
Pride in heritage and culture shows in the conduct of the tours. Part of the monies from the tours is returned to the community to assist with developing other enterprises and helping out with social needs. This is providing a social return to the community that is important from an ethical perspective and in terms of long term sustainability.
They provide a number of different tours, the most popular being the three hour and half day packages. A three-hour package costs $50 which covers a walk and a cruise, half-day tours are $110 including lunch and much more.
To book contact 08 91915552 or have a look at the detailed website www.darngku.com.au.
Harry Nanya Outback Tours is an Aboriginal owned and operated, accredited tour company which had been running tours to Mungo National Park and district for the past seven years.
Qualified Aboriginal tour guides interpret some of Australia's most beautiful and uniquely spectacular country, as only they can. The Aboriginal guides are Barkindji people. Mungo National Park is Barkindji tribal land dating back many thousands of years. So who better to tell the story of this ancient landscape than the traditional caretakers of the area?
Their knowledge has not come from books but has been passed down from person to person, from generation to generation. Hear the story firsthand about the Mungo National Park and the Barkindji people.
Harry Nanya Outback Tours have a large variety of tours available. You can explore the fascinating Wentworth area with half day and one day tours taking in the junction of Australia's two great river systems, the Murray and the Darling. This point was a very significant meeting place for tribes from the surrounding region for ceremonial and trading reasons. On these tours morning tea, lunch and afternoon teas (whichever is applicable) is provided.
They also have a guided canoe tour, which is a five-hour tour, paddling the Murray and Darling Rivers. These tours are unique and extensive and a full itinerary is available on request. You will experience the true beauty of the Murray/Darling systems with all provisions included.
When participating in Harry Nanya Outback Tours it is advisable to bring insect repellent, video camera, camera and plenty of film and spare batteries. They recommend you wear loose clothing, comfortable sneakers or walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen. This is to ensure you can indulge in the full experience.
Tours cost around $75 on average, depending on which one you do. For bookings contact Harry Nanya Tour on 03 5027 2076 go to www.harrynanyatours.com.au
Iga Warta is set amongst the mountains in the Northern Flinders Ranges in the north of South Australia.
Travel from Adelaide to Copley on a good sealed road then east from Copley towards Arkaroola on a good quality unsealed road. If you prefer, you can travel the sealed road to Wilpena and then the unsealed section via Balcanoona.
For most of the year either way is accessible using conventional vehicles. Tourists can obtain road condition information from the local police or National Parks staff.
To really experience the Northern Flinders many travellers arrive via Copley and leave via Balcanoona.
There are many other side trips you can make and you can contact Wadlata at Port Augusta for more information about the other exciting things that the Flinders has to offer.
Iga Warta offers a number of different experiences, which include cultural tours, campfire evenings, environmental walks and overnight stays.
The cultural tours are a definite highlight of a holiday in Adnyamathanha country.
Experience Adnyamath-anha interpretation of the environment by touring the painting and story sites and learning of their significance.
Learn about the importance of the local flora and fauna and let your tastebuds tingle with magnificent bushtucker.
Tours range from $44 to $115 depending on what you wish to experience.
Campfire evenings are unique. Experience a traditional campfire, listening to stories and learning about Adnyamathanha culture through music and the wonderful aroma of fresh damper. You will feel a part of the environment for around $25 which includes the supper.
The overnight tours can either be camping or motel accommodation with costs varying. You can even bring your own tent and camp on the land for $12 a night.
If you wish, experience the land with an Adnyamathanha guide, where you will learn to interpret traditional rock art, share cultural experiences, visit Adnyamathanha story sites, learn about contemporary Adnyamathanha society and sleep under the stars. The overnight camping experiences start at $115 per night.
Iga Warta Tours offer many other activities also. If you want to book a tour or make an inquiry then contact their friendly staff on 08 8648 3737.
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