Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours in Tropical North Queensland and Saltwater Eco Tours on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast have joined Discover Aboriginal Experiences – a collective of quality, authentic Aboriginal-guided tourism offerings.Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours hosts a number of memorable Traditional Owner-led experiences in the picturesque Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Protected Area, accessed by a scenic boat ride from Cairns/Gimuy. Based in Mooloolaba, Saltwater Eco Tours pairs Indigenous culture with gourmet bush tucker-inspired dining on river cruises hosted on a beautifully restored historic sailing boat.
The Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australiaprogram that promotes outstanding tourism experiences within a variety of special categories. This collection showcases a diversity of experiences delivered by the world’s oldest living cultures, creating memorable trips for adventure seekers, culture enthusiasts, foodies and nature lovers, ranging from exploring hidden rock art galleries to foraging for native delicacies, stand-up paddleboarding on culturally significant waterways to bedding down at wilderness lodges in serene natural settings.
These two new additions to the collective bring the membership to 46 businesses offering more than 160 Aboriginal-guided experiences. Aboriginal guides don’t just afford a unique means of bringing Australia’s landscapes to life. As the owners of the stories, they share with you, they provide a way to connect with Australian places and cultures quite unlike any other medium.
Each member of this collection is considered a world-class leader in Aboriginal tourism, representing local Aboriginal cultures with integrity and authenticity. Please see the following pages for further details on the two new additions to the collective.
Find out more about the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective at
www.australia.com/aboriginal. Find out more about the Signature Experiences of Australia program at www.tourism.australia.com/signature.
A collection of royalty-free Aboriginal tourism images and videos are available at www.images.australia.com and www.video.australia.com. Please see the dropdown menu for Discover Aboriginal Experiences.
Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours
Overview
The rich culture of the Mandingalbay Yidinji people comes into firm focus on Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours experiences, which provide a front-row seat to the natural drama of two World Heritage Sites: the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. There’s pride in protecting this beautiful pocket of the Cairns/Gimuy region, as you’ll discover on the company’s multi-sensory experiences. Stories passed down over millennia reveal the nuances of this land, from its Creation to its bush tucker. Expect to get hands-on, discovering tools and artefacts that continue to play a role in Mandingalbay Yidinji culture.
Details
Hosted in the Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Protected Area, all tours depart from Cairns Marlin Marina and begin with a short cruise across Trinity Inlet. The interactive Hands On Country Eco Tour (three hours) includes a bus tour and a bushwalk with the chance to taste bush tucker. On the Deadly After Dark – Sunset, Canapes and Culture evening experience, you’ll enjoy delicious bites showcasing native ingredients and a Welcome to Country and Smoking Cleansing Ceremony. The company also offers an overnight camping adventure with storytelling around a campfire, interactive activities, and more fascinating insights into Mandingalbay Yidinji culture.
Contact Marcus Brady
Phone +61 484 928 883
Email sales@mandingalbay.com.au
Website mandingalbay.com.au
Images www.images.australia.com
Saltwater Eco Tours
Overview
The peaceful waters of the Mooloolah River on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast brim with Aboriginal culture and maritime history. Indigenous owned and operated Saltwater Eco Tours weaves both into unique marine experiences hosted on a beautifully restored historic sailing boat. Tuck into a bush tucker-infused lunch as a Traditional Owner brings the waterways to life with evocative tales about its connections to local Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi people and culture, or join co-owner and captain Simon Thornalley for a relaxed gourmet dining experience and insights into his own connections to Queensland’s Sea Country.
Details
Departing from the Wharf Mooloolaba, the Traditional Owner-led Saltwater Cultural Tour lasts for two hours and runs on Saturday at 11.30am. Tours include a three-course lunch featuring native ingredients and a local beer, sparkling wine or signature cocktail, with additional drinks available for purchase from the onboard licenced bar. The Native Bushfood and Seafood Cruise also lasts for two hours and runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (11.30am) and at sunset on Thursday (6pm). Canapes, a drink and a five-course meal showcasing local produce is included; additional drinks are available for purchase.
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