Aboriginal experiences

<p>See Western Australia through the eyes of the world’s oldest continuous living culture with an Aboriginal-led tour or guided experience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As a roaring fire crackles under a gem-studded night sky, settle in for an enchanting evening camping with the custodians of the land.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From outdoor rock art to contemporary exhibitions, there are countless opportunities to immerse yourself in the fascinating art and culture of the Aboriginal people.&nbsp;</p>

In one of the most spectacular places on earth, adventure awaits. The glittering Indian Ocean hugs rust-coloured cliffs in a land where ancient stories reveal themselves to all who care to listen. Welcome to Yawuru, Bardi and Nyul Nyul country, immersing you in age-old Aboriginal culture backed by the captivating coastline of the wild and wonderful Dampier Peninsula.<br/><br/>Fly into Broome / Rubibi between May and October, when day after glorious day Cable Beach lays out a perfect welcome mat of blinding white sand and gin-clear seas. Watch the sun set over the ocean on an unforgettable camel safari, before the iconic outdoor cinema screen flickers to life.<br/><br/>Arriving at Beagle Bay, join a Bardi-led tour to hear the town’s story. Dip into Mercedes Cove for engaging, up-close Nyul Nyul tours that paint a rich picture of these photogenic shores. <br/><br/>Pushing up to the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, discover why Western Australian pearls are some of the most revered in the world with a visit to a pearl farm, before cruising out to the Buccaneer Archipelago to discover pristine islands and snorkel over reefs teeming with fish. <br/><br/>Back on dry land, join the Bardi on the Dampier Peninsula for mudcrabbing, fishing, kayaking and, if you’re lucky, an encounter with a dugong.<br/><br/>Travel back to Broome and settle-in for one final sunset over Roebuck Bay – something the traditional owners here have been doing for 40,000 years.

Four days of leisurely exploration in Broome and along the Kimberley Coast shows how blissful a change of pace can be. <br/><br/>Life’s troubles tend to melt away on Cable Beach, 22 kilometres of bone-white sand and aquamarine water. Watch the sun paint the sky over the Indian Ocean on a camel ride along the shore. When the mud flats are exposed and the full moon rises over Roebuck Bay from March - November, Mother Nature plays tricks with the ‘staircase’ to the moon, a spellbinding optical illusion.<br/><br/>Broome’s Aboriginal and pearling history runs deep, shaping its food, buildings and culture. Get among it on a guided tour of a pearling farm, or join an Aboriginal-guided tour to learn more about the region. Charge your glass at a fusion, fine-dining or pub-grub restaurant experience. Or catch glimpses of Chinatown’s bawdy past as you peruse the gem boutiques. <br/><br/>More than 130 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, they left their mark among the fiery red cliffs at Gantheaume Point – retrace their steps at low tide.<br/><br/>Adventure awaits those willing to go further afield. Discover the surging tidal waters of Horizontal Falls. Catch mud crabs or forage for bush tucker with Aboriginal guides, all against a stunning backdrop of pearly white sands, iridescent blue-green waters and chilli-red rock.<br/><br/>Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungles, is also within striking distance of Broome. A labyrinth of black-and-orange limestone karsts, this 350-million-year-old landscape is remote, ancient and awe-inspiring.<br/><br/>A visit to Broome and the Kimberley Coast is best experienced from May to October. Time your visit with Shinju Matsuri, a unique cultural event that takes place from August to September each year.

The Gibb River Road is a classic bucket-list outback drive, cutting 660 kilometres through the remote heart of the Kimberley. Winding past vast cattle stations and striking red-dirt landscapes, this moderate four-wheel-drive route invites you to slow down, pull over often and explore a string of pristine freshwater gorges along the way. Traversing between Broome (Rubibi) and Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang), the broader 10 to 14 day, 1,134-kilometre journey is best tackled in the dry season, when the region's rugged beauty is at its most accessible.<br/><br/>Begin in Broome, where Cable Beach's white sands offer a luxe prelude before heading to Derby for sweeping jetty sunsets and, if time allows, a scenic flight over the Kimberley's dramatic tidal forces. From here, venture inland to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek National Park to uncover ancient limestone formations, expansive cave systems and nights beneath vast, star-filled skies. Continue deeper into the highlands to Bell Gorge and beyond, where waterfalls, clear waterholes and rich ochre landscapes reward every detour.<br/><br/>Further along, detour to Drysdale River Station and the Mitchell Plateau for rainforest and iconic waterfalls. Back on the Gibb, experience station life at Home Valley, then end at El Questro with its gorges, springs and walks. Finish in Kununurra: celebrate locally or take a final flight over Purnululu.<br/><br/>

If you were going to sum up an adventure along the Coral Coast Highway in one word it would be - unforgettable. Think uninterrupted stretches of white sand beaches and turquoise fringed coral reefs, breathtaking gorges and, from July to October, the dazzling display of wildflowers as you road-trip it from Perth to Exmouth return on a 8-11 day, 3,277 kilometre adventure.<br/><br/>On your way, check out the mysterious Pinnacles and the charismatic maritime town of Geraldton, taking the opportunity to glimpse the extraordinary pinkish hues of the Hutt Lagoon. <br/><br/>Next, head to the natural wonders of Kalbarri National Park. Traverse the Kalbarri National Park Skywalk and drink in the vast, untamed wilderness of Murchison Gorge. Go climbing or abseiling over dramatic 400 million year old rock formations, hike or kayak your way through spectacular scenery. <br/><br/>Make your way from the adventure playground of Kalbarri to Shark Bay, the first of the journey's World Heritage-listed sites. Monkey Mia is for those craving a slew of unforgettable experiences and you might be lucky enough to meet wild dolphins by the shore in this marine wonderland. <br/><br/>Stop in at Carnarvon to indulge in luscious tropical fruit and fresh seafood. From there, it's a 2.5 to 3-hour drive to Ningaloo Reef, the Coral Coast's second World Heritage listed site and one of the most diverse marine environments on the planet. Walk straight from the shore into calm clear waters and snorkel coral reefs exploding with colour. <br/><br/>Join a tour from Coral Bay or Exmouth for a once in a lifetime experience - swimming with gentle Whale sharks or glide alongside Humpback whales. You can catch glimpses of Manta rays, turtles and dolphins too among the diverse wildlife. <br/><br/>A Qantas flight from Exmouth to Perth (or retrace your steps by road) ends this unforgettable adventure.

Art and inspiration from one of the oldest surviving cultures and tallest forests on earth.<br/><br/>Journey into the Wheatbelt to discover the captivating story of how ancient Nyoongar culture has survived and evolved with contemporary country living. Then venture deep into tall karri tree country to explore the spectacular forest scenery that inspires the works of so many local craftspeople, painters, photographers and sculptors.<br/><br/>Although this itinerary can be enjoyed all year round the best time for this experience is from April to November to coincide with cooler months, wildflowers and various arts events in the region.<br/><br/>Please note: To help protect this pristine environment, please do not pick wildflowers – it’s illegal and will attract fines. As beautiful as they are, it’s also important to stay out of canola fields to prevent the spread of disease. Please also do not enter private property to access wildflowers.

This hyper-coloured adventure treks deep into Pilbara country over 10 glorious days and 5,000 magnificent kilometres. Traverse two billion year old gorges and magnificent coastal plains, and experience unspoiled shorelines and a remarkable moonlit spectacle – all accompanied by majestic floral displays from June to August.<br/><br/>Fly from Perth to the trailhead at Exmouth - from there, loop through red-sand and wildflower country on the road to Onslow. Don’t miss the Staircase to the Moon – a stunning full-moon phenomenon over Onslow’s Sunset Beach. Feeling nautical? Ferry or charter a boat out to the Mackerel Islands, 22 kilometres offshore – a diving, snorkelling and fishing paradise. <br/><br/>Farewell Onslow and head east – you’re outback-bound! Mining town Tom Price is your destination, your journey flanked by dazzling wildflowers, with Hamersley Range providing a dramatic backdrop.<br/><br/>Super-scenic Dales Gorge in Karijini National Park boasts spectacular, cliff-lined swimming pools and blissful waterfalls – postcard snapshots brought to life. Check out Weano Gorge waterfall, go canyoning to the "centre of the earth", hike trails bursting with wildflowers, and spy furry, feathery and scaly inhabitants. For a bird’s-eye view of Karijini’s gorgeous gorges, visit Oxer Lookout.<br/><br/>Leave gorge country behind and cruise across coastal plains, laced with wildflower blankets during spring, to reach impressive Port Hedland. From there, veer inland to the tiny town of Marble Bar – Australia’s hottest town. Cool your boots at Coongan River, Chinaman’s Pool Nature Reserve, or the Coppin’s Gap, Doolena and Carawine gorges – then backtrack to Port Hedland and trace the coastline east to Dampier. <br/><br/>To the south of Dampier, Millstream Chichester National Park brings together more breathtaking gorges, plus plunge pools and Van Gogh-like wildflower masterpieces. To the north, the Burrup Peninsula offers awe-inspiring Aboriginal rock engravings dating back 10,000 years. The trip back to Perth will have you buzzing with adventure.