Unforgettable Indigenous holiday experiences can deepen cultural understanding as well as sustain communities, generate employment and training opportunities and protect the environment. Here are ten tourism business making a positive difference.
Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours offers a Hands On Country Eco Tour that shows how Mandingalbay Yidinji have sustained the land and water south-east of Cairns for millennia. The Djunbunji Land and Sea Rangers are determined to reverse the damage from recent overuse and the introduction of foreign floral and fauna species and have spent years working with scientists to catalogue plants, animals and culturally significant sites. As a result, the rainforest region is once again thriving. Ranger guides hold encyclopaedic intel of the Trinity inlet and have an eagle eye to spot birds, fish and saltwater crocodiles.
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Reef Recovery Days combines ancient stories of the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef with eco-certified diving and snorkelling safaris. On-board expertise comes from marine biologist and Indigenous cultural guides, as guests come face-to-fin with some of Australia's most amazing marine life. The Indigenous cultural guides have been supported to become marine biologists, engineers and skippers of the vessel itself. The Dreamtime crew is drawn from across North Queensland as well as from the Indigenous education program, Shoreline. It creates employment pathways for young Indigenous Australians looking for a career in the tourism and hospitality industries.
Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours offers stand up paddle board tours, kayak and walking tours in Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast. Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man Clark Webb created the social enterprise ecotourism business to help fund not-for-profit Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC), which runs NSW's first and only bilingual school of an Aboriginal language, as well as language programs in 20 schools across the Coffs Harbour region. The tour business also offers employment options for graduates of the school, creating a circular economy.
Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures offers kayak and wildlife tours, stand up paddleboard tours, four-wheel drive, and a new multi-day walking tour with overnight camping at Dirk Hartog Island. UNESCO World Heritage site Shark Bay is where desert and ocean meet. Bordered by more than 1,000 kilometres of untouched beaches, it's Australia's largest bay and most westerly point. Owner and operator Darren 'Capes' Capewell regularly runs youth cultural camps in the pristine wilderness that includes bush survival skills, sharing knowledge, life skills and insights, and campfire stories that build resilience and confidence in young people.
Mabu Mabu's restaurant Big Esso in Melbourne's Federation Square is nourishing locals and tourists with lip-smacking food highlighting native ingredients. Torres Strait born chef and founder Nornie Bero has a dream to make native ingredients the hero of the Australian kitchen. What began with a stall at the South Melbourne Markets has expanded to retail, catering and dining empire that employs 80 people. The Indigenous owned, women-led and LGBTQIA+ business is working towards a sustainable and socially driven supply chain. Mabu Mabu means 'help yourself' and 'Big Esso' means 'the biggest thank you'.
Sand Dune Adventures leads quad bike tours on the largest coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, about 2.5 ours north of Sydney. The entire dune system moves inland an astonishing 4.5 metres per year. Zoom across some of the 4,200 hectares of sacred coastal land while learning why it's so special to the Worimi people. Profits are poured back into the local Indigenous community funding employment, housing, education, health and more. Owned and operated by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, the ultimate goal is to preserve stories, culture and heritage across this part of the state.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is more famously known as a stunning place to stay when visiting Uluru. The Northern Territory business has a dedicated staff training program at the Ayers Rock Resort that provides employment pathways and launches the careers of young Indigenous Australians in tourism, hospitality, horticulture and retail.
Mabu Buru Tours introduces guests to the richland ancient culture of the Yawuru and Karajarri people. Based in Broome, Mabu Buru also donates profits from some of their tours to an Aboriginal not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring the survival and preservation of Indigenous culture through continued practice and knowledge sharing.
Maruku Arts in Uluru runs an organic dot painting workshop taught by local Aṉangu artists. They sell art from its local community Mutitjulu, and since 1984, sends staff to remote communities in central Australia in the NT, SA and WA to purchase woodcarvings. In 2019 alone, Maruki Arts has invested $1.5 million dollars into 22 different communities across the central and western deserts, funding tour guides and environmental training, among other cultural facets.
Waringarri Arts Centre in Kununurra is one of Australia's oldest Aboriginal arts centres. Waringarri Arts facilitates programs that engage youth and community members in creative activities that help participants understanding their Indigenous culture as well as deal with issues such as grief and trauma.
Visit discoveraboriginaltourism.com.au or state tourism organisations to find out more about Indigenous travel experiences.
