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.

If you were going to sum up an adventure along the Coral Coast Highway in one word it would be - unforgettable. Think uninterrupted stretches of white sand beaches and turquoise fringed coral reefs, breathtaking gorges and, from July to October, the dazzling display of wildflowers as you road-trip it from Perth to Exmouth return on a 8-11 day, 3,277 kilometre adventure.<br/><br/>On your way, check out the mysterious Pinnacles and the charismatic maritime town of Geraldton, taking the opportunity to glimpse the extraordinary pinkish hues of the Hutt Lagoon. <br/><br/>Next, head to the natural wonders of Kalbarri National Park. Traverse the Kalbarri National Park Skywalk and drink in the vast, untamed wilderness of Murchison Gorge. Go climbing or abseiling over dramatic 400 million year old rock formations, hike or kayak your way through spectacular scenery. <br/><br/>Make your way from the adventure playground of Kalbarri to Shark Bay, the first of the journey's World Heritage-listed sites. Monkey Mia is for those craving a slew of unforgettable experiences and you might be lucky enough to meet wild dolphins by the shore in this marine wonderland. <br/><br/>Stop in at Carnarvon to indulge in luscious tropical fruit and fresh seafood. From there, it's a 2.5 to 3-hour drive to Ningaloo Reef, the Coral Coast's second World Heritage listed site and one of the most diverse marine environments on the planet. Walk straight from the shore into calm clear waters and snorkel coral reefs exploding with colour. <br/><br/>Join a tour from Coral Bay or Exmouth for a once in a lifetime experience - swimming with gentle Whale sharks or glide alongside Humpback whales. You can catch glimpses of Manta rays, turtles and dolphins too among the diverse wildlife. <br/><br/>A Qantas flight from Exmouth to Perth (or retrace your steps by road) ends this unforgettable adventure.

Art and inspiration from one of the oldest surviving cultures and tallest forests on earth.<br/><br/>Journey into the Wheatbelt to discover the captivating story of how ancient Nyoongar culture has survived and evolved with contemporary country living. Then venture deep into tall karri tree country to explore the spectacular forest scenery that inspires the works of so many local craftspeople, painters, photographers and sculptors.<br/><br/>Although this itinerary can be enjoyed all year round the best time for this experience is from April to November to coincide with cooler months, wildflowers and various arts events in the region.<br/><br/>Please note: To help protect this pristine environment, please do not pick wildflowers – it’s illegal and will attract fines. As beautiful as they are, it’s also important to stay out of canola fields to prevent the spread of disease. Please also do not enter private property to access wildflowers.

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.

Encompassing amazing desert moonscapes, ancient river gorges, rare marine-life encounters and exquisite coral gardens, this 11-day, 3,237-kilometre adventure starting from Perth rewards thrill-seekers and nature-lovers with a swag of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. <br/><br/>Get the adrenaline-pumping sand-boarding massive, 45-degree-angle dunes at Lancelin, indulge in rock lobster washed down with a cold brew at coastal Cervantes, and marvel at the moonscape backdrop of the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park’s limestone spires formed over millions of years. All in the same day.<br/><br/>A playground for water-sport buffs, Geraldton’s natural charms run deep with stunning ocean sunsets and coral-fringed atolls. <br/><br/>Kalbarri’s vibrant foreshore backs onto the wondrous Kalbarri National Park; choose your pursuit, thrill-seeking or scenic, in a 400-million-year-old red river gorge. <br/><br/>Swap pace for the magical worlds of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef. Shoreline meetings with inquisitive wild dolphins are Monkey Mia’s trademark, but the region is also one of the most richly biodiverse environments on our precious planet: witness a kaleidoscope of flora, like acacia, samphire and grevilleas and fauna, including sea turtles, manta rays, sharks and dugongs. <br/><br/>Chill on Coral Bay’s idyllic white-sand beaches before jumping into an experience like no other: swimming with whale sharks (between March and July), humpback whales (between July to October) or manta rays (year-round).<br/><br/>Before your return to Perth, venture to the exquisite turquoise waters of Exmouth for an unforgettable tour of the world’s largest fringing reef, Ningaloo Reef. Swim and snorkel flanked by whale sharks, fish and marine mammals in an underwater fantasyland, or let a menagerie of emus, kangaroos, lizards and birds escort you through the limestone range and arid coastal plain of Cape Range National Park.

In the largest expanse of Australian outback, you'll find the tallest wave, whitest beach and biggest outdoor gallery. <br/><br/>Following the tracks of gold rush pioneers reveals unique riches of the Goldfields – from the famous Wave Rock, Lucky Bay and Kalgoorlie’s Super Pit, to the world’s largest outdoor art gallery, longest golf course and biggest collection of spring wildflowers. All set against a backdrop of the most dramatic desert landscapes.<br/><br/>This itinerary is great all year round, however if you'd like to coincide with the wildflower season, they generally bloom in this region between September and November, and displays are more prolific after good winter rains.