Aboriginal tourism has become very popular in Australia’s states, and New South Wales is no exception. To become even more intimately acquainted with Aboriginal life, you may wish to consider joining a guided tour.
To learn more about the original inhabitants of the Sydney area, consider boarding the Deerubin, an Aboringal-owned-and operated vessel, for a cruise around Circular Quay. While on board, you’ll learn about Aboriginal fishing techniques, view old settlements and rock carvings, and enjoy Aboriginal stories. One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at Clark Island where passengers can watch traditional Aboriginal dancing.
In the north west of the province lies the spectacular Warrumbungle National Park. A fantastic way to explore the park is on one of the two Aboriginal Discovery tours led by the local Gamilaroi people. The first tour involves an easy walk through the forests to Tara Cave, an Aboriginal settlement used for over 4,000 years. The second involves a drive out to the Sandstone Caves with the park ranger and a local Aboriginal elder. This tour requires participants to have their own vehicle.
For the more adventurous, how about trying a walkabout? A walkabout is a traditional journey of self-discovery, a holistic way to develop a strong spiritual connection with the land. Evan Yanna Muru of Blue Mountains Walkabout leads participants on an eight kilometer hike through the wilderness where they explore Aboriginal ceremonial sites, learn about Dreamtime, and even try their hand at body painting with traditional ochre paint.
In the far west of the province is Mungo National Park, where visitors can enjoy accommodations in the Aboriginal-owned lodge or cabins. Tours explore Lake Victoria, where the oldest remains in Australia have been found, and also the dried up Lake Mungo and the sand and clay formations that flank it. The evening can be spent enjoying Aboriginal songs and stories around a campfire back at the lodge.
