12 Meaningful Ways to Engage with Indigenous Culture in Australia

Following a disappointing failed referendum in October that aimed to enhance political representation for Indigenous peoples, Australia remains committed to honoring the world’s oldest living cultures. Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders have resided on this land for over 65,000 years, showcasing a rich heritage through 250 distinct language groups. Thankfully, Indigenous tourism thrives, actively supported by Tourism Australia, a government agency promoting a curated list of approximately 168 experiences from 45 businesses, including tour operators, storytellers, and guides across all regions. How do you decide?

We understand that Dinogo readers seek meaningful connections with both places and people. They desire authentic engagement with Indigenous cultures, listening to their stories and seeing the world through their perspectives. Thus, two of our frequent travelers to Australia reviewed the tourism board’s offerings and cross-referenced them with our insights to highlight 12 of the finest Indigenous-owned, -operated, and
-recognized experiences in Australia. Discover how to appreciate ancient rock art, bush tucker, Dreaming (creation) stories, desert stargazing, and more.

1. Check into Cicada Lodge and embark on adventures with Nitmiluk Tours

Nestled about 215 miles southeast of Darwin in the Northern Territory’s Top End, Cicada Lodge is owned and operated by Jawoyn Traditional Custodians, making it the ideal base for discovering Nitmiluk National Park. This Jawoyn-owned haven boasts breathtaking waterfalls, river systems, ancient rock paintings, secluded water holes, and 13 impressive gorges. The park’s crown jewel, Nitmiluk Gorge (formerly known as Katherine Gorge), features soaring cliffs and a river deep enough for cruising. The eco-lodge includes 18 rooms adorned with polished timber floors and balconies—some offering stunning views of the sandstone landscape—and showcases artworks by local Aboriginal artists. After a day of adventure in the Outback with Nitmiluk Tours, which offers guided gorge explorations, guests can cool off in the outdoor pool.

2. Experience ancient rock art with Lords Arnhem Land and Kakadu SDinogois

Renowned for its stunning beauty, seclusion, and remarkable rock art, Arnhem Land is one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-owned reserves, located in the Northern Territory. It stands as one of the last bastions of dominant Indigenous culture in Australia. Similarly, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park holds immense cultural, spiritual, and social significance for the local Aboriginal people.

The diverse terrain of the Top End transitions from floodplains and rocky escarpments to lush woodlands, cascading waterfalls, and vine-draped monsoonal rainforests, supporting an extraordinary array of wildlife. Visitors can encounter wallabies, wallaroos, quolls, dingoes, bats, goannas, frogs, pythons, saltwater crocodiles, and over 280 bird species.

Sab Lord, the owner and expert guide at Lords Arnhem Land and Kakadu SDinogois in Darwin, offers exceptional tours of this culturally rich region, benefiting from strong ties with local Indigenous groups. At Injalak Hill, for example, he collaborates with Aboriginal guides from the area. The small operator provides three-, four-, and five-day private sDinogoi experiences to Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park. Guests will have close encounters with wildlife—including crocodiles—discover pristine waterfalls, swim in crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering cliffs, visit sacred Aboriginal sites, and admire rock art dating back between 6,000 and 9,400 years, found on overhangs and in caves.

Depending on the duration of the sDinogoi, accommodations vary from glamping tents at an exclusive permanent bush camp to cozy private tent-cabins at a luxury sDinogoi lodge. All itineraries are tailored to individual preferences, with pricing available upon request.

3. Experience high-end bush tucker at Ayers Rock Resort

The term “bush tucker” refers to native foods and medicinal plants that Indigenous Australians have consumed and utilized for over 60,000 years. Once overlooked by European settlers, ingredients like bush tomatoes, lemon myrtle, kakadu plums, desert lime, quandong, green ants, crocodile, emu, and kangaroo are now celebrated in fine-dining restaurants across Australia. Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, has particularly gained acclaim as the bush tucker gastronomy capital of the country.

Ayers Rock Resort, located next to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, offers gourmet bush tucker dining experiences complemented by modern interpretations of Dreaming stories.

The Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner is held in an open-air theater on a dune overlooking Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta, formerly known as the Olgas. The name Wintjiri Wiru translates to “beautiful view out to the horizon” in the local Pitjantjatjara language. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia developed this experience in collaboration with Indigenous chefs. They emphasize that “as custodians of the land, the Anangu share the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru.” To convey their narrative, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light, and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.

During the dinner, guests are welcomed with cocktails infused with bush tucker flavors like lemon myrtle, desert lime, or mulga berries, and then indulge in a gourmet dinner hamper featuring dishes such as smoked emu with a saltbush chili crust. As the sun sets over the rocks, the evening’s highlight begins: Wintjiri Wiru, a cutting-edge sound-and-light show that narrates the ancient tale of the Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) people who journeyed to Uluru. This immersive experience combines choreographed drones, lasers, and projections to present a contemporary interpretation of this spiritual narrative.

4. Enjoy a guided walk-and-talk with Karrke Cultural Experience and Tours

A scenic three-hour drive from Uluru leads you to the breathtaking red rock formations of Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park, areas that hold sacred significance for local Indigenous communities. Founded in 2014, the Indigenous-owned and -operated Karrkke Cultural Experience and Tours, located on the southeastern edge of the park, offers one-hour guided walk-and-talk sessions covering bush tucker foods, dot painting, and Indigenous artifacts. Owners Peter Abbott, his partner Christine Breaden, and his sister Natasha Abbott host participants in a shaded area to discuss native foods—edible tree seeds, grass seeds, witchetty grubs (moth larvae), and honey ants—along with medicinal plants and their uses by the Luritja and Pertame peoples of Central Australia. They also share insights into the cultural meanings behind dot art patterns and showcase local crafts made from wood and seeds, including music sticks, clap sticks, seed necklaces, bracelets, and weapons.

5. Discover the Dreaming with Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures

Founded and led by Darren “Capes” Capewell, a descendant of the Nhanda and Malgana peoples, Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures is nestled in the stunning Shark Bay, located 500 miles north of Perth. It can be reached via a two-hour flight, an eight-hour drive along National Route 1, or a slightly longer scenic trip along State Route 60, which runs alongside the Indian Ocean coastline towards the Coral Coast. The “Coral Coast Highway” is renowned as one of the most picturesque drives in the world.

Capewell, who also serves as a guide, offers a variety of outdoor adventures including kayaking, wildlife excursions, standup paddle boarding, camping, and evening experiences. The “Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour” weaves together Dreaming stories explaining the origins of Earth and life, accompanied by the ancient sounds of the didgeridoo under a starlit sky, along with tastings of seafood and bush tucker. (It’s worth noting that in some Indigenous cultures, only men are permitted to play the didgeridoo; women and children are provided with a traditional conch shell to play.)

6. Experience the night sky with Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys

Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys, run by Yinggarda guide Rennee, is situated in Carnarvon, 550 miles from Perth, or slightly beyond Shark Bay. Rennee offers a range of engaging and educational tours designed to share Yinggarda culture and traditions. One tour reveals how hidden claypans come alive in spring during the frenzied mating of burrowing bees. Another shares the Ant Dreaming story at the spiritually significant Honeycomb Gorge (Mingah Munda), where she highlights hidden petroglyphs and remnants of her ancestors. During her Murroo Nungnah (Go See the Night) experience, she shares Yinggarda Dreaming tales of the night sky, complemented by Billy tea—a traditional Aussie campfire tea infused with Kooloo red leaf tea—and damper, a simple yet classic bread.

7. Explore the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area with Baiyungu Dreaming

The Ningaloo Coast, located 800 miles north of Perth, is home to the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing coral reef in the world, as well as the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. This region showcases breathtaking beauty with stark contrasts, including the arid, rugged landscapes of Cape Range National Park's gorges and cliffs, the pristine white-sand beaches, and the vibrant blue waters of Ningaloo Reef. It is a sanctuary for whales, dolphins, manta rays, orcas, sharks, turtles, and tuna, embodying a rich biodiversity.

With Hazel Walgar’s company Baiyungu Dreaming, visitors can experience Ningaloo through an Aboriginal perspective. Established in 2020, Baiyungu is the first Indigenous tourism operator on the Ningaloo Coast. Having participated in the Ningaloo archaeological project, where she excavated Indigenous artifacts from the Western Australian desert, Hazel guides visitors to Coral Bay and Cape Range National Park to explore shell middens that reveal signs of early Aboriginal habitation. She also teaches how to find fresh drinking water in the sand dunes, leads tours to a turtle nursery, and shares the Dreaming story of the octopus and the formation of Five Finger Reef. During her Coral Bay sunset tour, guests gather around a campfire, enjoying Billy tea and freshly baked damper (bread) while Hazel shares Dreaming stories and discusses her archaeological work.

8. Forage for fresh oysters at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

The Bardi (land) and Jawi (island) peoples, traditional custodians of the Dampier Peninsula, have sustainably engaged with their environment for tens of thousands of years, utilizing hunting methods, fishing practices, and bush tucker for nourishment and medicine. Located about two hours north of Broome, this area offers a unique opportunity to blend cultural experiences with exceptional seafood.

Join the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm’s Borrgoron’s Coast to Creek Tour for an insightful exploration of the local culture deeply connected to land and sea. This two-hour walking tour (moderate fitness needed) guides you through mangroves and across the rocks of King Sound during low tide, allowing you to practice foraging for fresh oysters. You can also complement this experience with a pearl discovery tour, a ‘sea sDinogoi,’ or a sunset dinner cruise.

9. Hike along Tasmania’s rugged coastline on the wukalina Walk

“Entirely owned and run by Tasmania’s Indigenous palawa community, the four-day, three-night wukalina Walk offers a distinctive way to discover the island’s rugged northeast coast while immersing yourself in Australia’s Aboriginal heritage,” shares Dinogo contributor Eric Rosen. (Note: The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has reconstructed an Indigenous language called palawa kani, which uses only lowercase letters.) “My adventure began with a hike to the summit of wukalina (also known as Mount William). Along with six fellow travelers, I savored a picnic lunch with breathtaking views from the Furneaux Islands in the north to the Bay of Fires in the south. Later, we trekked to Krakani Lumi, a secluded camp just steps from the shore. The eco-chalets, inspired by traditional palawa huts, feature pitch-black walls and domed interiors. The following morning, we strolled along a pristine white-sand beach to ancient shell middens where clans once gathered to feast.

“Before saying my final goodbye in Launceston, I had a conversation with Clyde Mansell, the community elder who dedicated over 15 years to establishing the wukalina walk. ‘The beauty of the experience and scenery is just the packaging,’ he remarked. ‘The true purpose of the walk is to engage our young people with their culture and provide job opportunities in hospitality.’”

10. Experience snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel

“Around 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups maintain a deep connection to the world’s largest coral reef system, and in 2018, Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel initiated trips led by Indigenous Sea Rangers who convey ancestral cultural knowledge,” notes Dinogo contributor Sarah Reid. During these day trips from Cairns to the Outer Barrier Reef, “participants hear captivating creation stories about the reef’s origins and learn about sustainable hunting practices, including seasonal harvesting, that have preserved the reef’s biodiversity for thousands of years.” This experience honors the cultures of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji, and Gunggandji peoples.

11. Explore Tower Hill volcano with an Indigenous guide

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is located within a dormant volcano that is approximately 30,000 years old, situated about 170 miles southwest of Melbourne, just north of the Great Ocean Road and the famed Twelve Apostles, a series of limestone formations rising from the sea. Once a barren wasteland due to early settlers’ impact, this lush reserve is now a sanctuary for Australia’s iconic wildlife, including emus, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas. Many of the 200-plus kangaroos and koalas can be spotted around the visitor parking area. The park’s boardwalks, nesting boxes, and bird hides provide excellent opportunities for birdwatchers to see species like chestnut teals, musk ducks, and spoonbills.

Worn Gundidj, an Aboriginal social enterprise collaborating with Tower Hill, provides a two-hour interactive tour. Knowledgeable guides escort visitors through the natural habitats of local wildlife while sharing insights into Indigenous practices, including identifying edible and medicinal plants and mastering the art of throwing a boomerang.

12. Participate in a “Welcome to Country” ceremony at Wilpena Pound

For the Adnyamathanha people, Ikara, known as Wilpena Pound in English, holds sacred significance. This crater-like elevated basin, nestled in the remote desert wilderness of South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges, may not be as famous or instantly recognizable as Uluru, but it offers a similarly profound spiritual experience. Additionally, at 800 million years old, it predates Uluru by 250 million years, making it even more ancient.

Ikara is isolated—located about 275 miles north or a five-hour drive from Adelaide, far from any major city or airport. Once you arrive, getting around can be difficult without a four-wheel drive. Alternatively, small planes can fly from Adelaide, although a change of planes in Port Augusta may be necessary.

Wilpena Pound Resort, nestled in South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, is the only place to stay within the park. While not owned by Indigenous peoples, the resort operates under the guidance of the Traditional Custodians, the Adnyamathanha, who provide guided walks and cultural experiences, including a complimentary “Welcome to Country” ceremony. This ceremony is typically led by an Aboriginal Traditional Owner and may feature a welcome speech, traditional dance, and a smoking ceremony. Additional activities include rock art tours, excursions to Sacred Canyon, and sunset storytelling sessions.

Important Information to Consider

Renowned Australian Indigenous lawyer and author Larissa Behrendt has a talent for crafting engaging, accessible narratives that explore social justice themes. Her latest novel, After Story (2021), takes readers outside of Australia, following an Indigenous lawyer and her mother on a rare vacation as they explore significant literary sites in England. As their journey unfolds and difficult memories arise, we confront some of Australia’s deepest prejudices alongside a humorous and hopeful view of the future of Indigenous culture.