Aboriginal cultural tours with Lirrwi Tourism

Lirrwi Tourism specialises in bringing people together to share Yolngu culture, connecting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and building understanding between the two cultures.

Spend time on a Yolngu Homeland and become part of a small family community, usually comprising several generations. You can expect to receive a symbolic welcome to country, or smoking ceremony at the beginning of your stay. You’ll learn about Yolngu kinship, traditional law and language and participate in a range of activities from weaving, traditional spearfishing and gathering bush foods and medicine, to dance (Bunggul) and even making and playing the didgeridoo (Yidaki).

Itineraries are flexible – a whole afternoon might be dedicated to preparing and eating a freshly caught fish, or mud crabs gathered from the bay.

Lirrwi Tourism was established to develop, support and promote Yolŋu tourism in Arnhem Land. The main objective is to create a new economy for Yolŋu people in Arnhem Land through tourism.

One-day tours and multi-day tours available, as well as women-only tours.

Destinations

Nhulunbuy

Arnhem Land

Yolŋu Homelands

Themes

Aboriginal culture

Eco tours

Family-friendly

Family tours

Gove Gululu Day Tour (One day)

$330pp min four pax

Gululu – “Welcome to our Country”. Welcome to Yolŋu Country, region of Miwatj.

This land has been passed down to us from generation to generation. We are the traditional owners of the sea and of the inland areas. Come and explore our culture, sit with us, hear our stories, walk with us, share some knowledge.

Full-Day Tour: 8am to 4pm. Includes morning tea, lunch, permits and a Yolŋu Tour Guide.

Visit website here.

Bawaka Yolngu Tour (One day)

$489pp min four pax

A 4WD adventure to Bawaka, 60 kilometres south of the community of Yirrkala.
Experience traditional spearfishing and crab hunting. Learn about Moiety – Yirratja and Dhuwa (Kinship) and how this connects us to the land and to each other, one big Earth balanced. Hear about our seven seasons and see what the environment is telling us.

Full-Day Tour: 8am to 4pm. Includes morning tea, lunch, permits and a Yolŋu Tour guide.

Visit website here.

Crossing Country Tour (Four nights)

$2,399pp min eight pax

Visit a Yolŋu Homeland and become part of a small family community. Feel like part of the family, take part in daily activities and make lasting friendships. Your stay will begin with a welcome to country, or smoking ceremony. You will learn about Yolŋu kinship, traditional lore and language, both spoken and sign. During your visit you will participate in a variety of activities such as traditional spearfishing, gathering of bush foods and medicine, weaving, jewellery making, dance (Bunggul), storytelling or learning how the Yidaki (didjeridu) is made and played.

Includes transport, Yolngu guide, activities, all meals and shared accommodation.

Visit website here.

Woman’s Tour (Four nights)

$2,399pp min eight pax

The Gay’wu women’s tour provides female visitors with the opportunity to come together with their Yolŋu sisterhood and learn about their culture, history and country. Experience Yolŋu philosophy and kinship through activities such as weaving, painting, astrology, healing ceremony, crying ceremony (Nathi), cooking and bush medicine, dancing, gathering oysters or mud crabs and much more. Specific activities will vary according to the season and availability of materials. The women of Arnhem Land wish to open their hearts to visitors and share the knowledge they have acquired over many thousands of years. Knowledge of the bush, the ancestors, the sky and the universe.

Includes transport, Yolngu guide, activities, all meals and shared accommodation.

Visit website here.

Main image © Shaana McNaught