New South Wales Aboriginal Tourism Toolkit Minister’sMinister’s Introduction Introduction ABOUTABOUT THE THE NEW NEW SOUTH SOUTH WALES WALES ABORIGINAL ABORIGINAL TOURISM TOURISM TOOLKIT TOOLKIT NewNew South South Wales Wales is home is home to Australia's to Australia's largest largest culturalcultural tourism tourism offering offering in New in New South South Wales Wales AboriginalAboriginal population population represented represented by more by more than than 80 80 – up– 50 up per 50 centper cent on the on previousthe previous year. year. differentdifferent Tribal Tribal Groups Groups each each with with a unique a unique story story to to tell. tell.With With such such cultural cultural diversity diversity on offer, on offer, New New South South FeaturingFeaturing more more than than 50 Aboriginal 50 Aboriginal products products, , WalesWales can canoffer offer visitors visitors some some of the of mostthe most the Ntheew N Sewouth South Wales Wales Aboriginal Aboriginal Tourism Tourism Toolkit Toolkit accessibleaccessible and andvibrant vibrant Aboriginal Aboriginal cultural cultural tourism tourism is a valuableis a valuable resource resource which which enables enables the tourismthe tourism experiencesexperiences in the in country.the country. industryindustry to connect to connect with with New New South South Wales Wales AboriginalAboriginal tourism tourism operators operators, who, who are bestare best placed placed FromFrom ancient ancient Songlines Songlines and andDream Dreaming storiesing stories to to to provideto provide cultural cultural information information and anddeliver deliver authentic authentic nativenative bush bush medicines medicines and andbush bush tucker, tucker, New N Sewouth South culturalcultural experiences. experiences. WalesWales Aboriginal Aboriginal tourism tourism operators operators offer offer visitors visitors deepdeep and anddiverse diverse experiences experiences with with the pottheential potential The Thetoolkit toolkit is one is oneof the of ongoingthe ongoing actions actions under under the the to createto create life- lifechanging-changing memories. memories. 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AboriginalAboriginal tourism tourism businesses businesses are anare important an important featurefeature of New of New South South Wales Wales’ diverse’ diverse tourism tourism I encourageI encourage the tourismthe tourism industry industry to embrace to embrace this this offeringoffering, becoming, becoming increasingly increasingly popular popular with with both both toolkittoolkit and andto work to work with with New New South South Wales Wales Aboriginal Aboriginal domesticdomestic and andinternational international visitors visitors of all of ages all ages. In the. In the tourismtourism operators operators and andDestination Destination NSW NSW to to yearyear ending ending September September 2016, 2016, 394,000 394,000 domestic domestic and and contributecontribute to the to continuedthe continued success success and andlong long-term-term internatiointernational visitorsnal visitors participated participated in an in Aboriginal an Aboriginal viabilityviability of Aboriginal of Aboriginal tourism tourism in the in Statethe State. Adam Adam Marshall Marshall MP MP Minister Minister for for Tourism Tourism and and Major Events Major Events Table of Contents PAGE NO. 02 Minister’s Introduction 04 Introduction to Aboriginal Tourism in New South Wales 05 Cultural Considerations in Tourism 06-07 Destination Map Showcasing Export Ready Tour Product 08-25 Aboriginal Export Ready Tour Product Fact Sheets 26 Aboriginal Festivals and Events 27 Sydney Galleries and Exhibitions 28 Regional Galleries and Exhibitions 29 Aboriginal Performance Groups 30 Aboriginal Bush Tucker and Corporate Gifts 31 Contacts and Links Disclaimer In many areas of Australia it is considered culturally inappropriate and offensive to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people to publish images of people who have passed away. We respectfully advise and warn audiences that this publication may inadvertently contain images or names of deceased Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people which may cause sadness or distress. 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In referring to Aboriginal and /or Indigenous people, this publication refers inclusively to all Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people. Some information contained in this publication has been provided by third parties, attractions, venues and tour/experience operators and may be subject to change, conditions and availability. Please ask the third party, attractions, venues and tour/experience operators for any additional information (including current terms and conditions) when contacting them. Inclusion of this third party information is not an endorsement of the information or of the supplier nor of its accuracy. Cover photograph by Dee Kramer - Gundabooka National Park Aboriginal Tourism in New South Wales While Aboriginal people in New South Wales insights into this fascinating culture as a means to generally live in a contemporary environment, they ensuring its survival. hold strong links to the traditions associated with custodianship of their ‘Country’ or tribal boundaries There are many opportunities for visitors to be and connection to their saltwater (coastal) or immersed in Aboriginal culture through tours, freshwater (inland) Dreaming. attractions, performances and events. In Sydney, this dynamic living culture can be experienced with a The Dreaming (or Dreamtime) incorporates the performance by Bangarra Dance Theatre at the past, present and future. A vast network of Sydney Opera House or on a Rocks Dreaming Tour Dreamings or Songlines exist like a giant cobweb with a walkabout tour that reveals the city’s history across the continent, linking neighbouring groups in through Aboriginal eyes. An Aboriginal guide at sharing aspects of specific stories and totems that Barangaroo Headland Reserve will explain how native are celebrated in large ceremonial gatherings. A plants are used for bush foods and medicine while totem can be a bird, animal, plant or rock symbolising the Nura Diya Aboriginal Discovery Tour at Taronga the group’s sacred emblem. These sacred symbols Zoo investigates the strong link between Aboriginal never change and are said to have been chosen by people and Australia's native wildlife. ancestral spirits. Authentic cultural experiences can also be found Each Aboriginal person is intricately connected to further afield in Regional New South Wales. The two- Country through one or more of these ancestral night Ngaran Ngaran - Gulaga Creation Tour on the Dreaming cycles. These incorporate both the law and South Coast is a fascinating journey into Gulaga the person’s spirituality. Just as Aboriginal people Mountain and the Creation Dreaming, of sacred care for their family, they are obliged to care for their significance for the local Yuin Aboriginal people for ancestral spirits who are alive in their Country. A key thousands of years. Harry Nanya Outback Tours and part of Aboriginal life is to learn the Dreaming stories Tri State Safaris will unlock Aboriginal cultural through travel, song, ritual, story and art. heritage amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of remote New South Wales’ Outback national parks. Ceremony is also an integral part of Aboriginal life and can take many different forms such as From a tourism industry perspective, the best way for Corroborree. These can entail dramatic visitors to ensure authenticity, is to use products that representations of Dreaming stories using song, are Aboriginal-owned and-guided or have substantial dance, mime, clapsticks and the didgeridoo. Aboriginal control and involvement. This toolkit provides a platform for the tourism