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/>

A floral fanfare welcomes visitors to Swan Valley, where ancient vines and delicate wildflowers are sustained by the region’s rich fertile soil. This two-day, 105-kilometre road trip, best experienced from September to November, is your chance to unplug, unwind and savour life’s simple pleasures.<br/><br/>Head out from Perth, along a magic carpet of wildflowers. Shimmering rainbows dance above Bells Rapids as sunlight catches the delicate spray rising from the tumbling river and white-tipped waterfalls. Beyond the water, an equally dazzling kaleidoscope of colour is found in flower-filled pastures. <br/><br/>Immerse yourself in F.R. Berry Reserve, where the call of the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo echoes amid untouched wandoo woodland. Grasstree fronds and crimson bottlebrush tickle your legs on walking trails leading to cooling cascades and magnificent granite outcrops. A fairywren flitters past in a flash of electric blue, while vanilla orchids bask in the golden light. <br/><br/>From here, it’s a short drive to Karakamia Sanctuary, where you might spot shy tammar wallabies and ringtail possums on a torch-lit dusk walk. A warm welcome awaits in the rural town of Gidgegannup and, the following day, a picture-perfect picnic breakfast is best eaten among the jarrah, marri and blackbutt trees surrounding Nobel Falls.<br/><br/>Having satisfied your appetite for wildlife-spotting and wildflower wanderings, Perth’s pantry – as the Swan Valley is affectionately known – rewards hungry nature-lovers with plenty of opportunities for an alfresco feast. Pack a picnic hamper with local produce, prise open a bottle of Mediterranean-style wine for which the region is renowned, or pull up a chair at a riverside restaurant to enjoy a memorable meal.

Follow the path of the mystical Warlu sea serpent on this immersive journey. You’ll discover Aboriginal dreamtime legends against a backdrop of pristine coastlines and iconic outback landscapes. Witness the sheer beauty of World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, Karijini National Park, and be blown away by the experiences on offer. From swimming with whale sharks to winding down at Broome spa resort, this itinerary is the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. Highlight destinations include Tom Price, Karratha, Onslow, Port Hedland and Broome.

Experience 24 hours of art, history, culture and entertainment in Perth.<br/><br/>Take your mind and eyes on a wander through Western Australia’s history, art and culture, from the Perth Cultural Centre to the Northbridge Piazza. Discover the ancient art and culture of the local Nyoongar people in Kings Park. Go street art spotting in Perth’s laneways, then hit the theatres in the evening.