Give the gift of Country this festive season – not more waste

Media release

As the festive season approaches, the rush to buy, wrap and exchange gifts is in full swing. Yet amid the glossy paper, plastic trimmings and overfilled bins, the environmental toll of Christmas grows heavier each year. Research by The Australia Institute reveals that nearly half of Australians would prefer not to receive material gifts at Christmas,while almost one in three expect to receive at least one present they will never use. The same study found that around 275,000 tonnes of waste is generated nationally each festive season through discarded packaging and unwanted items. The CSIRO estimates household waste surges by up to 30 per cent at this time of year, with more than 150,000 kilometres of wrapping paper consumed – enough to encircle the planet nearly four times, much of it non-recyclable due to plastic and metallic coatings.

Against this backdrop, Discover Aboriginal Experiences is calling for a different kind of giving – one that doesn’t leave a trace of glitter or ribbon behind, and one that sustains culture and community. This Christmas, the national collective of more than 50 Aboriginal guided tourism operators encourages Australians to gift connection to Country through an Indigenous experience – meaningful, low-impact and deeply enriching or by purchasing Aboriginal-crafted art and artefacts that will both last a lifetime and sustain 65,000 years of culture for generations to come.

“Gifting an Aboriginal-led experience or Aboriginal-created art and artefacts is not just sustainable, it’s transformational,” says Nicole Mitchell, Executive Officer of Discover Aboriginal Experiences. “Instead of cluttering our homes with more ‘fast commodities’ and ‘disposable goods’, we can give experiences and artefacts that bring us closer to Culture, nature and community. Every booking or purchase supports Aboriginal guides, creatives, language and Country – they’re gifts that keep giving long after the wrapping paper has gone.”

Aboriginal tourism in Australia is among the most sustainable forms of travel. Many experiences are grounded in walking, storytelling, and cultural learning via creation – not high-emission transport or resource heavy infrastructure, not cheap-and-easy products that will break within minutes of unwrapping. They invite guests to see the land through the eyes of its Traditional Owners, where caring for Country and sharing culture are inseparable. And invite them to continue the story and share knowledge with future generations through immersive, hands-on learning and experiences. 

Across the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective, there are unforgettable ways to do just that – in almost every state, with over 200 experiences in both urban and regional locations ranging from short 1-2 hour tours to extended journeys.

In the Northern Territory, guests can join SEIT on Anangu Country for a guided Patji exploration beyond Uluru, learning about Tjukurpa (Creation stories) and the cultural protocols of visiting sacred land. In Queensland, Jarramali Rock Art Tours leads travellers deep into Cape York to witness ancient galleries etched into sandstone, revealing 20,000 years of history through Indigenous eyes. It’s a life-changing, immersive journey, as is a bushtucker cruise with Saltwater Eco Tours on the Sunshine Coast, or a walk through coastal forest on the Gold Coast with Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. You don’t have to travel far from Australia’s big cities to enjoy cultural transformation.

Another case in point is Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience, which offers the thrilling chance to scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge while learning about the Indigenous heritage of Australia’s largest city. The company offers gift vouchers, so you can share a meaningful experience with ease. It’s a similar story at Koorie Heritage Trust in the heart of Melbourne – gift someone an experience such as an Aboriginal-guided interpretive walk along the Yarra River or purchase prints, paintings, ceramics and jewellery online, all crafted by Indigenous creatives.

You can also start someone’s Indigenous art collection via online purchases from operators such as Janbal Gallery in Cairns, Queensland. Or Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in Western Australia, where you know profits are going back to the communities that created the works. Also in Western Australia, Josh Whiteland is the owner and guide for Koomal Dreaming. He’s also a talented musician and artist, and the haunting sounds of his didgeridoo and his delicate prints can be purchased online.

In South Australia, Southern Cultural Immersion offers experiences on Kaurna Country around Adelaide that explore contemporary Aboriginal identity through storytelling. The organisation also has an extensive online shop selling everything from books to art. And in Tasmania, wukalina Walk on Palawa Country invites visitors to connect with the island’s wild northeast coast through an award-winning four-day guided walk, blending eco-conscious accommodation with cultural depth and ecological care.

“Aboriginal tourism has always been about respect for the land and conservation of culture,” Mitchell says. “It’s regenerative and sustainable by nature. When you gift one of these experiences, art or artefacts, you’re supporting community-owned businesses, you’re protecting culture and you’re treading lightly on Country.”

For those looking to give differently this year, booking or purchasing with a Discover Aboriginal Experiences operator is more than a present – it’s a contribution to reconciliation, sustainability and shared understanding. Instead of adding to landfill, it nurtures connection, builds knowledge and leaves behind only footprints and stories.

“Experiences and community sustaining gifts like these remind us what really matters,” says Mitchell. “It’s time to give gifts that create memories, not waste. A walk on Country with an Aboriginal guide or an artwork showcasing 65,000 years of culture and storytelling are things people will remember and treasure for the rest of their lives – and that’s the true spirit of Christmas.”

Editor’s Note:

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. Each member of this collection is considered a world-class leader in Aboriginal tourism, representing local Aboriginal cultures with integrity and authenticity.

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.

A collection of royalty-free Aboriginal tourism images and video are available here. Please search for Discover Aboriginal Experiences in the Resources section.