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.

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 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

Soaking up the Sun

Hi All
Here is a female Painted Dragon caught soaking up the sun on a rock in the Flinders Ranges. Note her tail is missing its end.
For more info check out www.bookabee.com.au
Cheers
Haydyn

Echidna in the Flinders Ranges

Hi all
On a recent Bookabee Adventure to the Central Flinders Ranges, we we treated to a rare sight when we happened across an Echidna wandering over the track.
We were able to get a few photos and even some really bad video footage of this strange mammal before it burrowed in under a fallen tree for safety.
The Echidna is a monotreme (egg laying mammal). Like the platypus, they share the honor of being the only mammals who lay eggs.
As shown in the picture, this one was light brown as is the custom for those found in warmer climates. As you head south, they get darker with the ones found in Tasmania being almost black.
Join me on a Bookabee Adventure. for more go to www.bookabee.com.au
cheers
Haydyn

Andu the Yellow footed rock Wallaby

Hi All
this is Andu the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. He;s pretty special and you can find him in the Flinders Ranges. On a Bookabee Tours Australia tour, we visit places where you can see this special wallaby in its home environment. A few years ago the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby was threatened and almost found itself on the endangered species list. With some commitment from a lot of people the species is fighting back..
cheers
Haydyn

You never know where we'll go on a Bookabee Tour

One of the greatest features of a Bookabee Tours Australia tour is that we could end up anywhere. From Open plains to mountain ranges, ochre pits to outback waterholes. It all happens on a Bookabee Tour. Come join us and we'll make your next outback vacation a real holiday experience to remember. For more check out www.bookabee.com.au bye now...
Haydyn.

True art in unlikely places...

Hi Again...
Another fascinating etching is this one of a Urtlu (Kangaroo). Along side of t is an etching of hand prints, a snake, some paw pints and an Waartyi (emu) foot print.
'It's all good' hope to see you on tour one day.
Cheers
Haydyn...

My little friends...

On a Bookabee Tours Australia tour you never know who you'll meet when you travel the roads in the outback... This little friend was spared a nasty end when I saved him from being squashed. Despite him not being too pleased (about being moved off the road) he did prove to be a great photo opportunity for the guests. They also got to feel his back and tiny feet.
I placed him back on the side of the road and the last time we saw him he was moving in the right direction... For more, go to 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...

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 :-)

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 :-)

Sun Rise to Sun Set... It's an experience!!!

One of the Things I love about the Flinders Ranges is the great sunrises and sun sets. On tour, there are plenty of opportunities to take fantastic photos of either when you are out. Sometime we head out before sunrise and go to some of the best locations for photos. I boil the billy and we wait for that perfect moment.
Come along some time and I'll show you what i mean...
For more great photos visit the website www.bookabee.com.au
More later...
cheers
Haydyn

Come on a holiday vacation with us for a genuine outback experience

BOOKABEE TOURS AUSTRALIA
www.bookabee.com.au

Travel in Australia on your Holiday or vacation with us to experience a real authentic Australian Aboriginal Outback Adventure. We not only give what the others offer, we do it with style.
Bookabee Tours Australia has been around since the start of 2005. We offer quality outback experiences departing from Adelaide in South Australia.
We've run tours all over South Australia as well as through the Northern Territory and Queensland. Anyway enough about us, you'll pick up who we are and what we're on about soon enough.
I'd really like to share my experiences and some of the great photos I capture whilst travelling through the bush in the great Australian outdoors.
We take visitors to some great places... Check out our website to see a comprehensive image gallery. we can be found at www.bookabee.com.au

Photo courtesy South Australian Tourism Commission