Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel
From Uluru, the red beating heart of Central Australia, to the tropical shores of Far North Queensland, the vast landscapes and natural wonders of Australia hold incredible cultural significance to First Nations people.
AAT Kings recognises that a big part of what makes Australia so beautiful and unique are immersive First Nations tourism experiences, with more and more travellers from home and abroad now looking to connect with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Working closely with their Indigenous partners, sharing their stories and promoting their businesses, AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys can connect travel agents and their clients with the very best authentic experiences available.
Here are three of the highlight tours:
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel – Tropical North Queensland
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel invites guests to explore some of the best diving and snorkelling sites on the Great Barrier Reef with their experienced Marine Biologists and Indigenous Cultural Guides.
Their catamaran tours tell the story of the Great Barrier Reef through First Nations’ eyes. The company’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sea rangers regale guests with 65,000-year-old Dreamtime creation stories, while cruising to Moore Reef; here, guests slip into warm water to flipper among some of the 1,500 species of fish.
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji , Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji & Gunggandji people, Traditional Owners of the Sea Country on which their business operates.
Enjoy one of Cairns’ most unique and exclusive Great Barrier Reef adventures on AAT Kings’ Aboriginal Culture and Australian Highlights tour.
https://www.aatkings.com/tours/aboriginal-culture-and-australian-highlights/
Aboriginal Experience at Yanchep National Park, Yanchep
Yanchep National Park Cultural Experience – Western Australia
Derek Nannup has spent his life learning about the diversity of Indigenous cultures across Australia and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with guests.
The Yanchep National Park Cultural Experience educates guests about local Noongar culture, the significance of plants and animals to the original custodians of the area, and the history and relevance of the didgeridoo.
Explore the vast landscape of Yanchep National Park and discover its significance to the Noongar people.
Guests can enjoy the Yanchep National Park Cultural Experience on the AAT Kings 5-day Monkey Mia Dolphins & West Coast guided holiday.
https://www.aatkings.com/tours/monkey-mia-dolphins-and-west-coast/
Wilpena Pound Resort – Brachina Gorge Fossils
Wilpena Pound Resort – Ikara- Flinders Ranges – South Australia
Travelling to the heart of the Flinders Ranges, a visit to Wilpena Pound Resort is a special chance to experience a place where the Aboriginal Adnyamathanha people have lived for thousands of years.
For the Adnyamathanha people, the Dreamtime creation story of Wilpena Pound describes the mountain walls as the bodies of two interlocking giant serpents (Akurra).
A visit to the resort helps by contributing towards the sustainable economic future of the Adnyamathanha who in turn work with the resort to minimise the environmental footprint and participate in the conservation of the region.
Adnyamathanha (meaning “rock” or “hills people” in Yura Ngawarla) is a culture that has been passed down for generations in their spiritual connection to the sacred land.
Guests feel this connection as they are welcomed to Wilpena Pound Resort by an Aboriginal Elder or member of the local community and learn about the area in a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony – experiencing this stop on their tour with the locals.
Guests can experience this on AAT Kings the 15-day ‘Outback Adventure’ guided holiday.
https://www.aatkings.com/tours/outback-adventure/
After more than 100 years of operation, AAT Kings have been fortunate to forge strong relationships with First Nations communities throughout Australia.
They strive to continue to bring to life the rich culture and captivating stories of these cultures for years to come.
