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
:-)

Bookabee checks the floods in the Flinders Ranges

A recent deluge in the Flinders Ranges @ Wilpena Pound saw a river of water flood past and into my bedroom... The down pour happened so quick I didn't get a chance to cover the door before it came flooding in.

The patch outside this window was bone dry a few minutes earlier...

This was a local creek that was a raging torrent less than 1/2hr after the downpour.
cheers
Haydyn :-)

Flinders Ranges

Sacred Canyon

Brachina Gorge

Brachina Gorge

If you are keen, check out our Facebook and become a Facebook Fan. Search for Bookabee to find us.
cheers
Haydyn

Rain clouds in the Flinders Ranges

Just a couple of shots of the Flinders Ranges with clouds covering the walls of Wilpena Pound.
cheers
Haydyn
www.bookabee.com.au

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 Tours takes you to Nepabunna Aboriginal Village - Flinders Ranges SA

Nepabunna Aboriginal Village
This is one of the four welcome signs that greet travellers as they enter our village.

Three children under the Aboriginal Flag at the March Consent Determination gathering on Nepabunna Land.

Some kangaroos will sleep anywhere...

These lizards are a common sight when bushwalking around the Flinders Ranges.

On this tour, we took both Bookabee Tour vehicles...

Hi All, been really busy of late. Just a quick post to say that we are still going strong. the other week (end or May actually) we were listed in the 2009 Top 20 Aussie Tours by Australian Traveller Magazine. Things are looking bright...
Check out our website... we've recently had a refresh as well. Bookabee Website
Cheers
Haydyn Bromley
Cultural Director: Bookabee Australia