The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has recently added two new Indigenous experiences to its Aboriginal Heritage Tours.

Discover how to incorporate native Australian bush foods with everyday ingredients on the Aboriginal Bush Food experience. Use a traditional coolamon to gather seasonal fruits, seeds, berries, native vegetables and plants from around the garden before learning about traditional food preparation methods and tasting your very own bush food infused recipes.

Alternatively, join an Aboriginal Guide for an Aboriginal Art Class. Using materials provided – including echidna quills, sticks, ochre and bark as well as paints and brushes create a unique piece of art to take home with you.

For more information phone (02) 9231 8134 or email Aboriginal.Programs@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Tri State Safaris has developed a new three day budget-friendly Outback Exposure itinerary incorporating a visit to Warrawong on the Darling, White Cliffs and Mutawintji and a cruise across the Menindee Lakes. The new itinerary was recently filmed on Sydney Weekender and will air on Channel 7 on 26 February. To view a preview, click here.

Tri State has also moved to new premises incorporating the new Tri State Safaris headquarters and Out of the Ordinary Cafe.

For more information phone 08 8088 2389 or email tours@tristate.com.au.

Baillie Lodges has recently announced a two-year partnership between Longitude 131° and the remote Indigenous artists’ community of Ernabella with a $100,000 donation over the next two years.

The donated funds will offer improved operational support, enable the community to employ a dedicated ceramics technician to supply ceramics for the artists and contribute to further education and training for community members of all ages.

Guests staying at Longitude 131° can visit the community to meet the artists on a full day private tour.

For more information phone 02 9918 4355 or email reserve@baillielodges.com.au.

Bangarra is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation and one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies renowned for melding contemporary dance with ancient stories and traditions.

In October 2017, Bangarra will embark on their 25th international tour to Germany performing their successful triple bill 'OUR land people stories' as part of Australia now, the celebration of Australia in Germany in 2017. The performances will be part of a one-week residency, accompanied by dance workshops, film screenings and talks. A second European stop on the tour will be announced in August next year.

For more information phone 0417 043 205 or email bangarra@bangarra.com.au.

Waradah Aboriginal Centre has redesigned its Aboriginal Live Performance Show to incorporate state of the art audio visual illustration combined with dramatic story telling and dance. Visitors to the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains can catch one of the regular daily performances at the centre.

For further information phone 02 4782 1979 or email louize@australianattractions.com.au.

The following Champions were recognised for their excellence at their respective State Tourism awards:

Qantas 2016 Australian Tourism Finalists – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Worn Gundidj @ Tower Hill
Sand Dune Adventures
Mossman Gorge Centre
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
Aboriginal Cultural Tours - South Australia
Uptuyu Adventures (Silver)
Nitmiluk Tours (highly commended)

Cultural Tourism
Venture North

Unique Accommodation
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (Kakadu Tourism)

Luxury Accommodation
Cicada Lodge (Nitmiluk Tours)

Tri State Safaris - Silver (Ecotourism) and Silver (Adventure Tourism)

George Dunne Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry
Tony Clementson (GM of Nitmiluk Tours)

New format for Aboriginal Tourism News
Please note that the next edition of Aboriginal Tourism News will be in a new template and will come from a different email address. Please check your junk email folder if you do not receive the March 2017 edition.

Yabun Festival 26 January 2017, Sydney, New South Wales
Yabun is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures held on Gadigal country in Sydney, Australia. The festival will feature live music, a corroborree ground, arts and stalls and programs for the youth and elderly.

Yurlmun Exhibition at the Museum of the Great Southern, 2 November – 9 April 2017, Albany, Western Australia
Yurlmun: Mokare Mia Boodja, which means ‘Returning to Mokare’s Home Country’ features 14 rare significant objects that originated from the Menang Noongar people, the traditional inhabitants of the Albany area. These objects have been carefully stored within the British Museum’s collections since the 1830s.

Deadly Funny Comedy Festival, 24 February – 24 March 2017, Locations around Australia
Deadly Funny is a comedy festival showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 and over with a talent for making people laugh.