Bookabee at goes to National Aboriginal Tourism Conference

Bookabee Tours Australia invests time in a range of broader tourism related issues such as participation in National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Conferences. These conferences are held annually and in 2006 it took place in Cairns Qld. Here, Lele Sanderson (Bookabee Australia Director) and Uncle Brenton (Sharpie) are found standing in front of the Expo stand with the Bookabee table to the right of picture.
These are great opportunities for Bookabee to meet up and network with other like tourism operations from across the country.
Check out more at www.bookabee.com.au
Cheers
Haydyn

Bookabee Achieves National Tourism Accreditation Status

Hi, One of the other things that Bookabee Tours Australia is involved in is that provides a benefit to our tour guests is Aboriginal Tourism Australia. Aboriginal Tourism Australia is a national association with a distinct tourism focus that has established protocols for conducting business (essentially tourism) within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. This regime is call Respecting Our Culture (ROC) and many Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Tourism based organisations are becoming accredited and adopting this culturally appropriate manner of conducting their businesses. At the beginning of July 2007, Bookabee Tours Australia had our ROC accreditation endorsed. Along with this accreditation, completing it also got our tour company the National yellow tick accreditation for Tourism Australia Accreditation Limited (TAAL).
Its All Good...
Oh Yeah!!!
Cheers
Haydyn...

Water Sports on the Birdsville Track

On a charter tour to Birdsville in May we came across a lot of water and "Road Closed" signs on our way back along the Birdsville Track.
This photo was taken from another vehicle and shows the headlights on the Tour Vehicle which were submerged moments before, and popped up as the photo was taken.
The tour guests loved it.
Check out the full story at www.bookabee.com.au
cheers
Haydyn

Bookabee Tours Australia: Aboriginal Scar Tree

This tree, like many others could be located anywhere in the bush, but unlike most other trees, it serves as a reminder of one of the common practices associated with Traditional Aboriginal life. In this photo you can see me pointing out the scar that was left when the bark was removed to make a traditional implement. The implement was most likely either a shield or a some form of implement used to assist in food gathering.
This tree and many like it remind us of a time when Aboriginal people roamed the country going about their traditional practices and life styles.
For more info feel free to drop me an email or check out the website: www.bookabee.com.au
Cheers
Haydyn
tours@bookabee.com.au

Bookabee Bush Food Tastings...

One of the nice touches that tour guests receive when on a Bookabee Tour is the opportunity of enjoy a range of bush foods. As part of every outback extended tour, each morning tea features a Bush Food theme.
The first generally is organic Scones with a selection of bush jams and fresh cream, the morning teas include bush delights like smoked kangaroo and emu, a selection of bush food chutneys and relishes and a choice of two bush food dukkahs (dipping spices).
It's all good...
On our local tours, we offer a spread where guests can taste the range of what we offer (see the photo above). If you are interested in trying any of the bush foods we offer, drop us a line and we can organize a tour for you.
For more info or to browse our website go to www.bookabee.com.au
cheers...
more later...
Haydyn :-)

The clouds did it...

Some of the places are simply breath-taking... Take this spot here on the Birdsville track... Just across the way was a couple of Brolga, but It was the reflection of the clouds on the river that captured my eye. Feel free to send me your thoughts, to check out more go to www.bookabee.com.au
Bye for now...
Haydyn

Bookabee Online Article

Hey All
Things are getting better all the time...
I opened up my email yesterday morning to find a compliment from another tour operator. The compliment was for a great writeup in Selling Down Under (which has now also gone online).
The writeup was terrific and I really want to thank Selling Down Under http://www.sellingdownunder.com.au/ for this great article.
If you get the time, check out the article online at the address above.
You can even go direct if you follow this link... http://edition2a.intellimag.com/?id=sdujuly07
Bye for now...
Cheers
Haydyn
Photo courtesy South Australian Tourism Commission.

Aboriginal Art, Etchings and Engravings.

There are some sites in the Flinders Ranges that are so special, you have to see them to appreciate their significance. On my tours, we visit many of these special sites and see places that are extremely powerful, both spitirually and culturally to my people, the Adnyamathanha. Adnyamathanha means "Rock - People" and as it is with most Aboriginal groups across the world, we share a special affiliation with the land. which, in most cases can't be quantified in dollar terms.
On the tours, I speak of this important connection to the land and also why it is so important that there is and will always be custodians who are charged with the duty of protecting and looking after the land.
I'd love to share my stories with you all, take the time to check my website and if you like the feel, send me an email.
cheers for now...
Haydyn...
www.bookabee.com.au

The Friends You Meet...

You never know who you might meet on a tour. In February, we were traveling along and met this little lizard. He was sitting in the middle of the road sunning himself.
Given that it was a reasonably busy track, i moved him to the side and placed him on a rock. He thanked us by showing us his teethy smile.
Then he shot off into the bush.
For more go to www.bookabee.com.au
bye...
Haydyn :-)