What makes an exceptional Aboriginal Cultural Experience "Exceptional"

An Exceptional Aboriginal Cultural Experience starts when the design and delivery are conducted by experienced and competent Aboriginal people.
A cultural experience can not be delivered by a non-Aboriginal person, not matter how experienced they may feel they are in interpreting and sharing Aboriginal knowledge.

The notion that a non-Aboriginal person can impart Aboriginal experiences and knowledge to the same degree and with the same level of respect and sensitivity is by its own definition culturally insensitive and culturally inappropriate.

When booking your next Aboriginal Cultural experience, ask yourself the following questions before you commit.

1. Is the organisation you are booking with Aboriginal owned and operated?
2. If not... What evidence have they provided that they are working in a genuine partnership with the Aboriginal community in which they are situated?
3. Does the organisation have Aboriginal people involved in the design of the product you are about to buy?
4. Does the organisation have Aboriginal people involved in the delivery of the product you are going to experience?
5. Will you be able to interact with an Aboriginal person as a result of buying this product?
6. Are Aboriginal people involved in the evaluation and review of the product you are about to buy?
7. Has the product you are about to buy been endorsed by the correct endorsing body within the Aboriginal community where it is being delivered?
8. Are local Aboriginal people benefiting from the existence of this organisation within their community?

If you can't answer these questions from the website you are browsing, you may have to email and seek answers directly from the organisation.

Too many non-Aboriginal organisations are cashing in on Aboriginal Culture at the expense of Aboriginal people and communities. Be a conscientious buyer and invest where Aboriginal Australians benefit.... Not non-Aboriginal businesses with little or no cultural respect and sensitivity.

If the person delivering the product you have payed for isn't Aboriginal. Chances are there is not Aboriginal involvement in the business. Shop wisely and help us rid ourselves of unscrupulous operators.

Please Consider... Too many non-Aboriginal operators are cashing in at our expense.

Water in the Flinders Ranges

One of the great things about traveling through the outback at the moment is the impact that almost 2 years of generous rainfall has had on the region. As I travel through the Flinders on my Chauffeured outback tours, I can identify easily how the region is recovering from the extended drought that has occurred over the past decade and a half.
The first notable impact is the bush (which has generally a brownish hue) is now proudly portraying a greenish tinge. The abundance of water has resulted in streams and creeks that have flowed (some are still flowing) longer and with more vigor. Waterholes have breathed a breath of new life into the scorched dry landscapes. They provide wonderful opportunities to take a break and enjoy the moment with families and the wildlife alike.

Bookabee Tours Australia - Reflections of sunset in the Flinders Ranges

Bush flowers and plant have blossomed including some which have not been evident for many years. The wildlife seems to have breathed a sigh of relief and emu and kangaroo alike are enjoying the rewards of a lush breeding season. As i travel across the land it just appears to have a healthier look about it.
Come see for yourself join me on my next Bookabee tour - www.bookabee.com.au/aboriginal-tours/
ww.bookabee.com.au/aboriginal-tours/

Bookabee Tours Australia - creek crossing in the Northern Flinders Ranges

Echidna on the track

I was driving along on tour the other day and came across this Echidna trying to cross the track.
We jumped out and took a few photos, but when i started to bury itself in front of the vehicle, i had to rescue it and move it to a safe place so we could continue on our way...

Karen was treated to a real privileged experience, it's not every day you come across and Echidna around these traps...

Check out our new-look website... cheers
Haydyn Bromley
:-)

Andu - The Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby

One of the most captivating characters of the Flinders Ranges is the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby or as us local Adnyamathanha know it by... the Andu.
This mum had a young joey in her pouch. Watching them for about 1/2 hr, you got a sense that life was pretty good for the joey. Not only was the joey safe in mum's pouch, but from time to time, the koey even got to have a nibble on the grasses as mum bent down for a feed.
What a life!!!

When you get the urge to see for yourself... drop me a line...
Enjoy, have a great day.
Cheers
Haydyn Bromley
Bookabee Australia

Now this is a pin cushion... Echidna at large!!!

Walking along in the Flinders Ranges, it's easy to get a little blase as you admire the rolling hills, the magnificent scenery and the spectacular wildlife. But, you can't help but count your lucky stars when you look down and spy an echidna ambling along the side of the walking track. This one caught the sharp eye of Iteka, one of the children who was on the bushwalk.

Gently picking up the echidna (having had extensive experience in doing this, definitely not something I would recommend to a novice, attempting to pick up an echidna could result in injury to the animal or yourself), I pointed out its unique features to my tour guests such as its back feet and the way the tail is hidden cleverly within the array of quils that protrude from its body.

Seeing echidnas isn't an every-day event especially here in the Flinders Ranges. Despite having lived in and around the Flinders Ranges for most of my life, i still get excited when my path convergeses with such special animals. Echidnas are monotremes (egg laying mammals), the only other being the Platypus. It is important that we do as much as we can to assist in preserving the environment of the Echidna. Eradication of predators that threaten them such as feral cats and dogs, and stopping the destruction of their natural environment are crucial to their existance. we all have a roll to play for these uniquely Australian animals, you are wither part of the solution or part of the cause. Be the former....
cheers to all :-)
Haydyn Bromley
Bookabee Australia

Bookabee makes Australian Top 20 Aussie Tours 2009

From the Australian Traveller website... read on...

To truly experience the Flinders Ranges, hook up with local Adnyamathanha tour guide Haydyn Bromley for this incredible four-day mission of discovery. The luxury 4WD journey visits the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, Brachina Gorge, Red Gorge petroglyphs, Bunyeroo Gorge, Italowie Gap, Malkaii Rock Art and the Ochre Pits in Bromley’s traditional homeland. He tells the Adnyamathanha Creation stories and traces the path of the Kingfisher Man, who came down from the north to Wilpena Pound followed by Akurra, the Rainbow Serpent, where their squabbles resulted in the formation of the current landscape.

Cockatoos, emus, red and grey kangaroos and, Haydyn’s personal totem, elusive yellow-footed rock wallabies will cross your path and after you nibble on native gooseberries, bush bananas and quandongs you’ll have to agree with Bromley that “no-one went hungry living in this land”. Whatever your bent, this tour fits the bill – and there’s a lot to be said for the air-conditioned comfort of a luxury vehicle on those days when the mercury climbs to more than 40ºC.

Brag Factor // Munch on sandwiches beneath thousands of ancient petroglyphs at a gorge in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

Details // Tour by Bookabee Tours Australia, $2025 per person twin-share, all-inclusive. (08) 8235 9954, www.bookabee.com.au

check it out online at Australian Traveller there are some great photos there too...

Bookabee tries winter in New York

Winter time in New York is really really cold.

Hi All
when we went to New York, i took lots of little video clips...
see.
Cheers

Haydyn

Bookabee Travels USA on G'Day USA Roadshow

Haydyn and Quentin in Time Square: New York.Grand Central Station: New York

Haydyn And Quentin at LAX.

Hi All
I had a great time on the G'Day USA roadshow in January 2009. The travel industry appointments were all top notch and Bookabee's products were received with much enthusiasm.
During the 14 Days, we traveled to Los Angeles, New York and Toronto in Canada. it was an experience for sure.
Thanks to my special friends at Tourism Australia and the South Australian Tourism Commission. I appreciate your assistance and all your help.
cheers
Haydyn Bromley
Bookabee Australia.

Bookabee joins 2009 USA and Canada Indigenous Roadshow

2009 G'Day USA Gala Dinner: LA

January 2009, Bookabee Tour Director Haydyn Bromley contributed to a very successful Trade delegation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tour Operators who visited North America to spread the work about the good work we have bee doing. The delegation of approximately 30 visited three destinations to meet with industry representatives. In Los Angeles, New York and Toronto (Canada) we met with Travel Industry reps.
It was great... so was the LA Gala Dinner...

L-R: Karyn Kent: South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), Haydyn Bromley: Bookabee, Maite Conway: SATC and John Daw: SATC

Haydyn with his G'Day USA Gala Dinner Ticket.

Warren drumming up some business in Beverly Hills

Haydyn drumming up some business with the Bookabee Banner on outside the Paley Centre in Beverly Hills.

The Bookabee Banner on display inside the Paley Centre: Beverly Hills.

more to come...

cheers

Haydyn....

Bookabee Tours Post Cards

Hi All
check out our range of great postcards...
All contain Adnyamathanha Traditional Language and translations.
cheers All
Haydyn...






Go to our website for more details. www.bookabee.com.au

Just another beautiful landscape on a bookabee tour

Hi
just another spectacular landscape in the Flinders Ranges...
cheers
Haydyn

Bookabee gains Eco-Tourism Accreditation

Great News... Bookabee Tours Australia achieves stage 1 Eco-Tourism Accreditation

Say no more!!!

cheers

Haydyn Bromley

Back to Back Best Indigenous Tour Operator Awards

Bookabees’ “Brilliant Blend” takes out back to back wins
What do you get when you take an in-depth knowledge of Indigenous culture, a passion for teaching and the courage to combine the two into a touring company?

The answer is an award-winning formula for Bookabee Tours Australia.

Bookabee has been named South Australia’s Top Indigenous Tour Company for the second year running at the prestigious South Australian Tourism Awards.

And the SA award comes hot on the heels of the fledgling company taking accolades as Travelling in Australia Magazine’s Best National Indigenous Experience 2008.

Haydyn Bromley says the award is a reward for the hard work that he and partner Lele have put into building the company, and confirmation that Bookabee Tours is on the right track.

“We started Bookabee three years ago, with two goals in mind,” Haydyn says.

“The first was to preserve Adnyamathanha culture by sharing the knowledge and teachings of our elders.”

“We want to give others an understanding of the value of caring for land and preserving our stories and practices.”

“The second reason was that as a former teacher this proved to be a natural progression where I could continue sharing knowledge.”

“The only difference is that my classroom is now our land and my pupils are the tour guests that come for the experience.”

Haydyn says the award win is a clear sign that they have hit the right market at the right time and that the passion they have for their job is acknowledged and appreciated.

Bookabee offers a range of two-day to seven-day tours highlighting the best of what’s on offer in the Flinders Ranges, Clare Valley and the Outback.

A new tour brings Coober Pedy and surrounds into the mix with a day along the famous Oodnadatta Track.

For those with time constraints there are also two-hour guided walking tours in and around the city and half-day and full day tours to near country locations.

So far this year, more than 400 guests have enjoyed the Bookabee experience.

That represents a 35 per cent increase on last years’ numbers.

“Our predominant target market, the international traveller is really coming on board,” Haydyn said.

“We have seen a significant growth during 2008-2009 season and have had a 60 per cent increase in international wholesale contracts to deliver Aboriginal and Outback experiences to international inbound experience seekers.”

Bookabee’s biggest markets are the UK, USA, Germany and Europe and the company has seen an increase in tours from countries like Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark.

They also cater for domestic travellers who are looking for quality, genuine Aboriginal culture and knowledge experiences.

“We highlight not only the big tourism points of interest, but the cultural knowledge that can only be shared by an Aboriginal person with local connections and knowledge of the area,” Haydyn says.

“Things like important local sites and those that are not accessible to the general public and mainstream tourism operators.

“This gives Bookabee a discernable point of difference from other operators that value adds to the tourism experience through anecdotes and local knowledge.”

Bookabee now goes into the running for the National Tourism Awards
Awards to be decided in Melbourne in February, 2009.
For more information, High Res Images or detailed tour itineraries contact:
Haydyn Bromley: Director Bookabee Australia Pty Ltd

Hope you enjoyed this blog as much as we enjoyed winning the award...

cheers

Haydyn Bromley :-)

Flinders Ranges and Outback signs

Nepabunna Aboriginal Village now has modest accommodation to suit the happy camper. Give them a call 8648 3764 for enquiries.

At Marree you can commence the legendary Birdsville Track... Read the sign first.

Make sure you are prepared for the outback, take plenty of water, emergency provisions and your common sense. Don't take unnecessary risks and make sure people know where you are going.

At the other side of town (Marree) you can commence the Oodnadatta Track. Same deal, take it easy and don't take silly risks... Enjoy your travels, better still travel with us.
Cheers
Haydyn Bromley

Bookabee Wins National Tourism Award

Bookabee Australia has just won Australia’s Best Indigenous Experience which was judged the Aussie Specialist program.
So much Australia so little time...
There comes a time, usually at about age 40, when it becomes all too evident that too few vacation days will accrue in the years that remain, and too many journeys remain untravelled. When the harsh reality hits, there are essentially two options; sell the house and the kids, or prioritise your holidays to include only the best of the best. For inbound travellers to Australia short-listing can be an impossible challenge, as Australia’s a big country with a lifetime of experiences to offer.
TIAM set about finding the best of the best and a panel of hard-core Australia-holics (international Premier Aussie Specialists) determined the following winners...
Click here to visit the Travelling in Australia Bookabee Award Page
For the full list of Travelling In Australia 20 Best Experiences Awards Nominees click here
Category: Best Indigenous ExperienceWinner: Bookabee Tours Australia (South Australia)
Bookabee Tours Australia takes you on a memorable journey of Indigenous discovery, immersing you in cultural experiences and visiting exclusive locations that few people have ever seen. Bookabee is based in Adelaide, South Australia and was established in early 2005. Owned and operated by Haydyn Bromley, an Indigenous man of Adnyamathanha, Narrunga and Yarluyandi origin, his people hail from the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula and Birdsville areas. Embark on an extended outback tour from two to five days, or a shorter local tour from two hours to a full day. For those with individual needs, Bookabee offers the choice to create your own, self-designed, personalised tour to locations like Birdsville and Coober Pedy. For those with a little more time, escape to the magnificent Flinders Ranges; travelling by luxury 4WD. Explore the outback’s wonders with visits to caves decorated with ancient Aboriginal paintings and engravings, indulge in gourmet bush tucker, and listen to creation stories of the Adnyamathanha people. For travellers with a restricted itinerary, local tours around Adelaide are also offered. Learn about the history of the area as you travel through the Flinders Rangers. Bookabee Tours has a strong focus on South Australia’s Indigenous history and guests are left with a deep understanding of and appreciation for the Adnyamathanha culture.
What makes Bookabee the best?
“My husband and I were fortunate enough to take a trip with Haydyn last September, pre-Corroboree. During my many travels to Australia I had never experienced the terrain and history of the Indigenous people as I did with Haydyn, our guide to the Outback. He was fluent in his story telling about the land and the people who occupied it. As an Aboriginal, his pride in the history - his history - was quite evident. Haydyn brought the history to life, was a wonderful host and created a memorable trip.”
Sharon Oberritter, Oberritter Travel, USA.
Come join us some time... email to find out more tours@bookabee.com.au
Cheers
Haydyn Bromley :-)

Bookabee Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE

Hi All
Been real busy over the past 12 weeks. lots of touring and heaps of great people to meet. Our latest tour vehicle pictured above is performing a treat. The tour guests love it and I'm wrapped... It's a Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE equiped with all the bells and whistles...
Come try us out some time...
Cheers
Haydyn Bromley

Aboriginal Rock Art: Flinders Ranges

One of the places we frequent on a regular basis is a local Flinders Ranges Adnyamathanha Rock Art site. At this site, there are a collection of traditional rock paintings depicting different facets of Adnyamathanha life. For more information go to http://www.bookabee.com.au/

This site is under threat from senseless vandalism by persons whom obviously have little regard value or respect for the preservation of the cultural icons and treasures that enrich the diversity of the "real Australian" past.

The Vandalism photographed below is a good example of the mindless destruction of culture. If the bright sparks knew the true origins and meanings of this symbol, they'd probably think twice about using it. just goes to show you can be as thick as two short planks but still somehow manage to work out how to scratch a symbol onto a rock. Pity this person wasn't smart enough to write their own name next to it so we could thank them personally. I guess it is easier for people with limited brain capacity to scratch a symbol than spell long words... (besides, his mum probably never told him how to spell his name anyway...)

Cheers.
Haydyn Bromley

Bookabee Tours Australia

A Kangaroo or three!!!

With most of South Australia enduring drought, a light shower brings out a Kangaroo or two. Here they have flocked to the road to drink the water as it runs over the painted lines. In the photo, there are about 40 Kangaroos.
Photo: Haydyn Bromley
For more info, go to www.bookabee.com.au
We'll make your next holiday an experience to remember.

Bookabee Australia Pty Ltd South Australia & Northern Territory Distributor

Hi All
Bookabee Australia Pty Ltd (parent company for Bookabee Tours Australia) has just taken on the Distribution of Outback Pride Bush Food Products for South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Check out our website for further details and ordering information...
Cheers
Haydyn

Kookaburra for lunch

Hi All
Seems you can't have a lunch in the park these days without uninvited guests. this one, a Kookaburra proved a big hit among the large group of tour guests i had eating our bush food lunch. It even cheekily stole a piece of cheese from the table when we had our backs turned... the resolution is not great, i snapped this photo with my phone camera... have a good day.
cheers
Haydyn