The new normal has opened our minds to alternate lifestyles- something travelers often look for while planning itineraries to understand how the other side of the world lives. Amidst lockdowns and quarantines, globe trotters are on the lookout for destinations that would be the perfect get-away as well as a refreshing travel experience after the long staycation this year.

Australia is home to heritage spanning centuries with its rich culture carefully preserved through art, music and ritual and more notably, the Aboriginals. In a post-Covid world, travelling through Australia’s Aboriginal lands would not only be a get-away from adjusting to the new normal, but also a chance to get immersed into arguably, one of the world’s oldest living civilizations and its unique lifestyle.

The Aboriginal travel itinerary has something for everyone. Consider some unmissable Aboriginal experiences to include in your itinerary:

The Urban Aboriginal

Big cities have amassed significant wealth of Aboriginal history. Here are some attractions to visit:

1) Cairns: Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, located on the outskirts of Cairns employs one of the largest numbers of Aboriginal Australians. The museum insider holds artifacts once used by the Tjapukai people up to 40,000 years ago. Engaging displays and cultural dances within the park portray Dreamtime stories and the Tjapukai people extend a warm welcome to tourists in their mini village, teaching them to play a didgeridoo or throw a boomerang and sample bush foods.

2) Sydney: Sign up for a tour with Dreamtime Southern X to experience the Aboriginal life in Sydney. Run by ‘Aunty’ Margret and her family of Dunghutti and Djerrinjah Nations, the tour takes you through Sydney’s iconic harbour in a new light while you learn about the deep connections between the land and her people.

One with Nature

There’s much to learn from the Aboriginals about nature conservation. Land is central to Aboriginal beliefs and they uphold great reverence for mother nature. The Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland is like a microcosm of the world as it used to be, and the Kuku Yalanji people have thrived in its midst for thousands of years serving as keepers of its knowledge and resources.

The Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk at the Mossman Gorge Centre gives a peek into secrets of living with nature, and will truly open your mind to the wonders of such a lifestyle.

Out Back into the Bush

Deeply ingrained in Australian heritage, history and folklore, no travel experience is complete without visiting the outback. The Northern Territory gives travelers a glimpse into these sites. The heart of Aboriginal Australia beats in the Red Centre, home to some of the most important sites in its folklore– Uluru and Kata Tjuta around which countless tales have been woven. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a protected region and can be explored through helicopter tours and signature dining experiences.

Another must-visit is the Kakadu National Park in the Ubirr region- a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an archaeological and ethnological reserve inhabited for more than 40,000 years. Its cave paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record lives of the region’s inhabitants, from pre-historic hunters and gatherers to current Aboriginal residents. One can also find rare species of flora and fauna thriving in the rich ecosystem.

The adrenaline adventure

While learning about Indigenous culture, venture up north to where two world heritage sites meet, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef to experience it through an Aboriginal lens with Juan Walker of Walkabout Cultural Adventures, who will fill you in on stories and traditions passed on from his forefathers. Look for mud crabs in the tidal flats, forage for pipis, and learn the art of spear-throwing and enrich your knowledge about different bush foods and medicines.

Dining Aboriginal

Get get a taste of, quite literally, the Aboriginal lifestyle by journeying into the Wet Tropics rainforest outside of Cairns to feast on a seven-course banquet at Flames of the Forest on Aboriginal Cultural Experience evenings. As you dine on modern Australian courses infused with bush tucker ingredients, the Kuku Yalanji people, will take you into their world and take you through its wonders through storytelling, music and dance.

Hosting a mix of nature, adventure, culinary treats and history, this side of Australia has something in store for all kinds of travelers. Find out more about the indigenous side of Australia to plan your travel here.

This is a partnered post.