Media release
The Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio continues to grow, with three extraordinary new members welcomed into the collective in 2026, taking the total to 51 members. The latest figures from Tourism Research Australia show that participation in Aboriginal-guided tourism experiences continues to surge, with more than 1.1 million trips in the year ending March 2025 – a 22 per cent increase on 2019 figures.
The three new DAE members helping to bolster this growth include Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours, which takes guests on saltwater journeys through the Kimberley region of Western Australia; Wadna, a family-run enterprise sharing Adnyamathanha culture in South Australia’s Ikara–Flinders Ranges; and Explore Byron Bay, where guests walk on Country with Arakwal Bundjalung elder Delta Kay in northern New South Wales.
Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours offers intimate cultural tours led by Bardi Jawi woman Rosanna Angus, visiting important Aboriginal communities on the mainland before cruising across turquoise waters north of Broome in the Kimberley. Guests journey by boat to Sunday Island, once home to a remote mission, learning ancient saltwater stories while they glide.
Wadna in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges north of Adelaide, is owned and operated by Adnyamathanha man Kristian Coulthard and his wife Gabby. Their guided cultural tours explore the stories, bush foods and spiritual connections of the Flinders Ranges, while their on-site gallery and workshop display handmade artefacts crafted by artists from around Australia.
In New South Wales, Explore Byron Bay connects guests to the ancient stories and living culture of the Arakwal Bundjalung people. Led by Delta Kay, guided walks explore coastal dunes, rainforest and headlands around Cape Byron, Broken Head and Bangalow.
“It’s a privilege to welcome Oolin Sunday Island Tours, Wadna and Explore Byron Bay into Discover Aboriginal Experiences,” says Nicole Mitchell, Executive Officer, Discover Aboriginal Experiences. “All of the experiences offered by these exceptional operators can be found in detail in our 2026 Brochure.”
“Australians and international visitors alike are seeking deeper, more meaningful ways to connect with place – and Aboriginal-guided experiences do exactly that. With demand for First Nations tourism at record levels, these new members bring extraordinary outback, saltwater and rainforest perspectives to the collective, while ensuring communities benefit and culture is shared with integrity.”
The Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program that promotes outstanding tourism experiences within a variety of special categories. This collection showcases a diversity of experiences delivered by the world’s oldest living cultures, creating memorable trips for adventure seekers, culture enthusiasts, foodies and nature lovers, ranging from exploring hidden rock art galleries to foraging for native delicacies, stand-up paddleboarding on culturally significant waterways to bedding down at wilderness lodges in serene natural settings.
These three new additions bring the membership to 51 businesses offering more than 200 Aboriginal-guided experiences around Australia. Aboriginal guides don’t just afford a unique means of bringing Australia’s landscapes to life. As the owners of the stories they share with you, they provide a way to connect with Australian places and cultures quite unlike any other medium.
Editor’s Note:
Find out more about the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective via our website. From the website you can access a dedicated trade and media portal, replete with a media kit packed with story ideas, interviews, Discover Aboriginal Experiences resources and more. Keep up to date and be inspired via our Connect to Country digital magazines, and explore operator experiences in detail in our 2026 Brochure.
A collection of royalty-free Aboriginal tourism images and video are available here. Please search for Discover Aboriginal Experiences in the Resources section.