Experience some of Western Australia’s most amazing natural attractions, with the custodians who’ve cared for them for more than 50,000 years.
Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences, Elizabeth Quay
1. Learn about Perth's ancient cultural heritage
Perth has been home to the Nyoongar people since the Dreamtime, and sacred sites still exist amid the hustle and bustle and glistening skyscrapers of the city.
Join Nyoongar elder Walter McGuire on a Go Cultural Aboriginal tour of Elizabeth Quay (Goomup) and beyond to hear Nyoongar hunting and celebratory songs, learn about the six seasons and the Nyoongar’s spiritual connection to this land, and try out ochre paints and traditional tools.
Take the time to explore the new $400 million WA Museum Boola Bardip, meaning ‘many stories’ in Whadjuk Nyoongar language. The Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn, meaning ‘Our heart, Country, Spirit’ exhibition shares the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Western Australia, with other stories weaved throughout the museum.
2. Catch a feed at Cape Leveque
Up in the far north-west of Australia you’ll find the Dampier Peninsula, home to saltwater country and a fantastic range of Aboriginal experiences, including accommodation and tours. At its tip, Cape Leveque, a pristine environment of blue ocean, white sands and red rocks.
You can also join a range of Aboriginal tours, including a tagalong tour with charismatic local Brian Lee or connect with Bolo Angus on his Coastal Walk, in which you’ll learn about the Bardi Jawi traditional ecological knowledge and ways to live off the bush and the ocean as you walk through mangroves, salted mudflats, and freshwater creeks.
If you’re heading to Broome, don’t forget to join Bart from Narlijia Experiences Broome to tour Yawuru country, from the historic Roebuck Bay to the pristine waters of Cable Beach.
Heading further out into the Kimberley? Check out the range of Camping with Custodians campgrounds - a uniquely Western Australian initiative where travellers enjoy a cultural experience with local people while staying in their country.
Brian Lee Hunters Creek Tagalong Tours, Cape Leveque
3. Explore an oasis in the Pilbara
In the heart of the Pilbara, Millstream Chichester National Park is an oasis of deep gorges and rock pools amid the surrounding rugged landscape. It’s a significant place for the Yindjibarndi people, and can be explored as part of the 2480-kilometre self-drive Warlu Way, or on a daytrip with Ngurrangga Tours.
The tour led by local Clinton Walker, includes visits to sacred sites such as Nhanggangunha, or Deep Reach, a pool that’s said to be home to the Warlu, or creation serpent, which created Millstream during Ngurra-nyunjunggamu (“when the world was soft”).
4. Listen to a cave concert with Koomal Dreaming
The Wadandi and Bibbulman culture is very much alive in the Margaret River region thanks to people like Wadandi man Josh “Koomal” Whiteland, who runs Koomal Dreaming.
Join Josh on a full-day cultural tour around Dunsborough and Yallingup to hear Dreaming stories and a spine-tingling live didgeridoo performance amplified by the walls of Ngilgi Cave. You’ll also eat some seriously good traditional food, which might include anything from kangaroo to quandong (a native fruit).
Koomal Dreaming, Ngilgi Cave
5. Kayak the sacred waters of Shark Bay
Gutharraguda, otherwise known as Shark Bay, is a site of great spiritual importance to the Nhanda and Malgana people. It’s also one of the world’s great marine wildernesses, so hop aboard a kayak with Darren “Capes” Capewell of Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures and experience this ancient culture and World Heritage-listed location all in one go.
“Wula Gura Nyinda” means “you come this way”; and Capes invites you to share traditional wisdom while spotting dolphins and dugongs, having a snorkel, and even finishing with a soak in a hot tub.
Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Looking for more inspiration?
Feel free to read this great article on The Urban List to find out more about the different experiences on offer across Western Australia.
Published May 2021.