Indigenous New South Wales
Aborigines watched from the hills as Captain Cook first sailed into what is now Port Botany. Little did they know the significant impact this landing would have on their ancient culture.
 The Australian government has invested in cultural facilities so that the indigenous way of life can be celebrated. The Yiribana Gallery, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, is one of the largest spaces in Australia dedicated to Aborigine and Torres Strait Islander art. The collection is especially known for its bark paintings and artefacts from Arnhem Land, in the far north of the country. Most of the pieces were collected in the late Fifties and Sixties. The most famous Aboriginal artists have donated large collections of artwork to the gallery - Timmy Timms and Ginger Riley, for example.
Aboriginal culture may seem like something you have to make excursions to experience, but Aboriginal musicians play around pubs, in Sydney in particular. It is a relatively common site to see Aboriginal bands like Tiddas or soloists like Jimmy Little playing on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Indigenous music has become more prominent in recent years with more radio play and help from mainstreamers like the John Butler Trio and Xavier Rudd pushing the cause for Aboriginal people.
Aborigines are one of the oldest races in the world and they have a history and rich culture to match
Indigenous Victoria
The idea of Camp Coorong came from the Ngarrindjeri people in 1985 when they wanted somewhere where non-Aboriginal people could develop a better understanding of their traditions and relationship with the earth. The teachings revolve around how the people lived before the European invasion.
Considering the people were very much an outdoor race, Camp Coorong feels authentic in the respect that it is all about hiking. It reminded me of a school field trip when you are happy enough to learn because you are enjoying the outdoors.
There are three different walking tours ranging between two and five hours where your guide will point out to you bush tucker and bush medicines that the Aboriginals used as they traveled the vast distances of Australia. The longer the trail
you choose, the more information you can take in.
What better way of really getting to know and understand indigenous culture?
Apart from the historical values of the park, there is also no shortage of adrenaline-pumping activities that remind you that it is good to be alive. Sailing, jet-skiing, tube-riding and archery to mention a few. There literally is something for everyone here so it's well worth making the excursion out. If Camp Coorong happens to be on your itinerary, it is a very refreshing experience. Located 280km from Melbourne. The camp grounds cover five acres, offers open spaces, shaded areas and a short walk (50m) to Lake Victoria.
Indigenous Queensland
Aboriginal people have inhabited Australia for at least 40,000 years and make up around 2.4per cent of the current population. Aboriginal culture is a huge part of Australian's identity and Queensland is home to one of the very best venues to sample the dance and art that is unique to the Aboriginal people.
Situated on land owned by the Tjapukai people at Caravonica, north of Cairns, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a $9 million enterprise, designed to showcase Aboriginal culture from the beginning of time into the future.This park gives a well-rounded view of all aspects of indigenous history. It combines the latest in theatrics, technology and interactive activities with local Aborigines' traditional culture and customs.
One of the major problems Aborigines face today is a lack of employment and this park was partly set up to combat this. With 85 of the 100 workers Aboriginal, there is a strong sense of pride and achievement in the park at the accomplishment of being the single biggest private employer of indigenous people in Australia. The great thing about Tjapukai is that you don't simply admire rock carvings and walk around the wildlife. It is truly interactive so you can really get into the experience. Don the war paint, throw a spear as the first hunter gatherers did and immerse yourself in the culture.
There is an old Aboriginal saying "only in the darkness can we see the light." It is from this saying that the best part of Tjapukai comes to life. Tjapukai by night is a powerful experience. An actor invites you to take part in an interactive corroboree (indigenous spiritual ritual), you are then given tap sticks until the whole thing climaxes in the ceremonial making of a fire. After the corroboree, you can sit back and relax as the Tjapukai take the stage and showcase indigenous
culture with their inimitable blend of theatre and black humour.
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Australia