How To Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders While Traveling in Australia

Over the last few years, big shifts in the tourism industry have led to a boom in Aboriginal-owned and operated businesses. One of the driving forces in this change is Discover Aboriginal Experiences (DAE), a Tourism Australia initiative that helps Indigenous tourism businesses get established and grow—and helps visitors find them.

DAE Executive Officer Nicole Mitchell says Indigenous tourism is growing and can be experienced in all corners of the country. “Today’s conscious traveler is increasingly looking for a real connection to the land and sea and a new way of experiencing it,” she explains. “Exactly the kind of life-changing and immersive experience that Aboriginal tourism can provide.”

Moreover, supporting Aboriginal-owned and operated tourism businesses has huge benefits for First Nations people. “Tourism as an industry allows the Indigenous community to stay ‘on country,’ delivering employment and economic benefits,” says Mitchell. “The benefits of a strong culture are all-encompassing for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people and communities.”

Here are some ways to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders while traveling in Australia.

For tens of thousands of years, Australia was home to many different cultural and language groups, each of which inhabited different parts of the country. Each of these groups has its own unique heritage and stories, most of which are still told within their communities to this day. One common theme that runs through all First Nations communities across the country, though, is the concept of Country.

To Aboriginal people, Country is a living ecosystem. It includes not just the land but also the ocean, rivers, plants, birds, animals, people, ancestors, and spirits—and even stories. The concept is part of a belief system that centers on the idea that everything was created from the same elements and is connected in one big symbiotic ecosystem.

Therefore, when you are “on Country,” you are not just in Australia. You are a part of something much bigger, older, and more connected. As visitors to Country, it's our responsibility to learn from and listen to the Traditional Custodians of the Country. This means that the best way to experience a region is to connect with a Traditional Custodian (or “Traditional Owner”), the official term for someone who is local to the region. This kind of guide can offer a much deeper experience for visitors.

• Traditional smoking ceremonies or a Welcome to Country: Two traditional ceremonies—smoking ceremonies and a Welcome to Country—offer ways to start your visit by acknowledging the region’s history and cultures. They're sometimes offered as part of tours, and you can also arrange them as standalone activities. They're a great way to learn about the land on which you stand and the Traditional Custodians.

• Walk on Country: A Walk on Country is usually led by a Traditional Custodian and can also include a Welcome to Country and a smoke ceremony. These guided hikes are a great way to learn more about the native landscapes and how they have supported human life for tens of thousands of years.

• Go local: Find a local Aboriginal-owned or -led experience specific to the area. This could be anything from a bush tucker walk to a night of stargazing and storytelling, an art tour, or a wilderness retreat.

• Visit local museums and galleries: Most museums and galleries around the country feature exhibitions about local First Nations history and culture. You'll also find outdoor rock art galleries across the country. Some of the most famous are in Kakadu National Park and on the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk in Sydney.

These days, there are many ways you can learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture. But while books and museums offer insight into Indigenous heritage and stories, there is nothing like learning on Country from First Nations people themselves.

Tourism Australia’s managing director, Philippa Harrison, explains that “through the stories of its people and their unique connection to the land, Aboriginal tourism offers visitors an amazing opportunity to connect with the oldest living culture on Earth.”

Nicole Mitchell of DAE also reminds us that it’s important to go into any Aboriginal tourism experience with an open mind. “We encourage travelers to be open to new learning and new ways of thinking, especially about the land—Country—and the sense of family and community,” she says.

There is an incredible depth and breadth of Indigenous tourism experiences available to visitors. According to Mitchell, modern Indigenous tourism experiences are innovative and extraordinary, and can range from exquisite dining experiences to action-packed outings, luxury lodges, and beautiful wilderness journeys. They are experiences you won't find anywhere else in the world.

• Bush tucker, native food, and plant medicine tours: Aboriginal people are believed to have been the first people in the world to grind seeds to make bread. Native food tours offer a unique insight into Indigenous people, their connection to the land, and the ways they survived in this often harsh climate.

• Astronomy tours and talks: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were the world’s first astrologers. They used the night skies for navigating, tracking time, storytelling, and more. Today, geologists are able to track down ancient asteroids thanks to Indigenous stories that have been passed down for thousands of years. An Aboriginal astronomy tour is a great way to unlock the secrets of the stars.

• Art, music, and storytelling experiences: A wealth of knowledge has been passed down through songlines, “Dreamtime stories,” music, and art. Workshops and activities centered around these traditions can be great opportunities to learn, ask questions, engage with Aboriginal culture, and have fun. (That said, it is worth noting that these experiences do not give you permission to reproduce these stories or artwork—especially for profit.)

• Immersive journeys: Some Aboriginal- and Torres Strait Islander–led tourism experiences include multi-day guided walks, tours, and wilderness experiences. You may also be able to visit restricted areas, like Arnhem Land, where you can stay on Country with the community.

One of the best ways to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is to engage in Indigenous tourism experiences. This way you not only get to have a memorable and fulfilling vacation, but you’ll also have the chance to learn from the oldest living culture on the planet.

“Ideally travelers should look for Indigenous-owned operators or non-Indigenous businesses who have formed strong partnerships with Indigenous peoples,” says Nicole Mitchell of DAE. “The primary focus is ensuring an Indigenous person—ideally a local Traditional Owner—is conducting the tour or experience.”

Local visitor centers often have directories of Aboriginal tour operators they will share with you. You can also check out Discover Aboriginal Experiences, a catalog of Aboriginal tourism operators around Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have long used art as a way to share their heritage, stories, and culture with future generations. You can support local Indigenous communities by purchasing Aboriginal art and souvenirs. However, it's important to ensure that any souvenirs or pieces of Aboriginal artwork or souvenirs you buy are authentic. (Souvenirs that are not made in Australia do not benefit Indigenous artists and don’t tell their stories appropriately.)

Indigenous artwork and souvenirs should come with a certificate of authenticity or a “code certificate” that identifies the artist, the time and place the work was created, and other relevant details. Mitchell suggests that if you don’t know where to purchase authentic works, you should go through Supply Nation, “an organization which accredits businesses which are a minimum of 51 percent Indigenous-owned."