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

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 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....

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

Travelling with Pierre from France

Pierre on the scenic flight around Wilpena Pound

looking down into Bunyeroo Valley along the Bunyeroo Gorge Trail

Pierre and Haydyn after the scenic flight at Wilpena Pound

a different view down the Bunyeroo Gorge Trail, Flinders Ranges

Haydyn introducing a Bearded Dragon to Pierre along the track
Enjoy the photos,
cheers all
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

On top of the hump...

Gee we had a great ride... I tagged along on a recent camel ride at Pichi Richi Camel Tours with two of my tour guests from the USA. We walked through picturesque bush land and soaked up a tour with a difference. Bookabee Tours Australia can incorporate camel rides, mountain bike rides and all manner of experiences within our personalised outback tours. just give us a call and we'll see what we can do.
cheers
Haydyn...
For more info on what we are up to click the link above.

On the camel train...

Hi All
Recently guests had a great camel ride at Pichi Richi Camel Tours in Quorn. Moving along atop a camel in the Flinders Ranges is definitely an experience that must be had. Our host and owner Graham Cannard treated our tour guests (and myself) to a very enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining 1 & 1/2 hour camel ride around their scenic property.
the guests loved it... I loved it... I recommend you give it a try... (PS. I can even get you there, just give me a call).
For more check out www.bookabee.com.au or Pichi Richi Camel tours
PS... if you want to see the photo in its true perspective, tilt your head to the left. :-)
Cheers
Haydyn...

soaking up the sun...

Hi All
Here's just another photo of a small dragon that we were able to get a great photo of on the last tour. These colourful little lizards adorn the rock along walking paths around the central Flinders Ranges. Take a step to close and they dart off into the bush or under a rock.
For more check out www.bookabee.com.au
cheers
Haydyn...

Watch the kids...

Hi All
One of the nicest treats whist touring is when you come across a family of emu with dad escorting the little ones over the road. Unfortunately dad wasn't interested in rushing the experience and things could have ended in disaster had it not been for some quick braking.
In the bush, the male emu sits on the eggs and plays the key role of raising the young.
Unlike for most of us, this is one case where the female gets it easy...
For more check out www.bookabee.com.au
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

Gecko on my shoulder.

Hi All,
Found this little Gecko on the way to my room in Leigh Creek. When i put him on my shoulder he tried to eat my wallaby... It took him a few goes to realise that it wasn't his dinner...
Cheers

Haydyn...

Who Me???

Hi All
Here is another pic from a recent tour of a Sleepy Lizard. We took this photo up north.
He doesn't seem to impressed...
For more info check www.bookabee.com.au
cheers
Haydyn...