23 Jul 2018
Australia’s Aboriginal people are one of the world’s most ancient living cultures with a history spanning 50,000 years. Heading to some of the more remote areas of Australia often provides the opportunity to connect with our country’s indigenous culture and heritage.
The Aboriginal people are often keen to share their story and are exceptional hosts with a welcoming spirit. If you are planning on staying at one of our parks, there are a number of nearby opportunities to connect with the land and learn more about our culture and history.
Pilbara, WA
The Pilbara region offers a number of rock art and spiritual sites with authentic guides and tour leaders. A day tour will extend your knowledge of bush tucker, medicine and spiritual beliefs and you’ll also get the opportunity to make traditional hunting spears and boomerangs.
How to see the region:
Ngurrangga Tours is a fully aboriginal owned and operated tourism company delivering tours to the coastal and inland areas around the Pilbara. (40km from Karratha)
Where to stay:
Discovery Parks - Balmoral, Karratha and Discovery Parks - Pilbara, Karratha are perfect places to stay and close to Karratha Village.
Kakadu, NT
Kakadu National Park is known for its stunning billabongs, swimming rock pools, and pink sunsets - but have you heard about the 20,000 year old rock art? Delve into the largest protected collection of rock art on Earth, you can spend hours looking at their ancient stories. Head to the Ubirr site where you'll happen upon a painting of the thylacine (the Tassie tiger), which became extinct on the mainland thousands of years ago.
How to see the region:
Ayal Aboriginal Tours and Injalak Rock Art Tours provide specialised tours with expert, local guides. Learn about the dreaming, customers, and importance of the rock art from the indigenous people of this country.
Where to stay:
Discovery Parks - Darwin is an hour and a half's drive from Kakadu National Park and nearby all of the best sites that the NT's capital has to offer.
Dubbo
Dubbo has long been proud of its Indigenous heritage and 2013 saw the launch of an Australian first Indigenous language and culture hub. The initiative was led by the New South Wales state government and brought together a number of stakeholders including local universities and TAFE to promote the Aboriginal culture and learning of the Wiradjuri language. If you’re heading to the region be sure to visit the museum and galleries of the Western Plains Cultural Centre or see the traditions of the region at the Terramungamine Reserve.
How to see the region:
First Lesson Cultural Tours offer experienced tours of traditional Aboriginal Dubbo. You will be able to hear stories from traditional land owners, eat bush tucker and walk the tracks of our ancestors from hundreds of years ago.
Where to stay:
Discovery Parks - Dubbo is the ideal place to stay, right in the heart of Dubbo (and a stone's throw away from the zoo!).
Bendigo
Long before Europeans arrived in Bendigo the region was known as Jaara Jaara country. The Jaara Jaara tribe consisted of sixteen clans each speaking different dialects of the Dja Dja Wurrung language. Today Bendigo is still the cultural centre of Dja Dja Wurrung territory and hosts the annual state wide Koori Football and Netball Carnival, an event that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and passion for sport and art.
How to see the region:
The Dja Dja Wurrung community can provide details of the heritage in the region and arrange private tours.
Where to stay:
Discovery Parks - Moama West and Discovery Parks - Maidens Inn, Moama are both just over an hour’s drive from Bendigo.
Inspired to learn more about the indigenous culture on holiday? Book your stay today at Discovery Parks.
