Held over a week in May and June each year (in 2025, 27 May to 3 June), National Reconciliation Week encourages Australians – and visitors – to learn about the nation's shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation, particularly regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

What better way to support reconciliation than by booking an Indigenous tour, many of which offer thought-provoking insights into this year's theme: 'Bridging Now to Next,' reflecting the ongoing connection between past, present and future.  

By joining an adventure with Mabu Buru Tours in Broome in Western Australia, for example, you'll support an opportunity for your Aboriginal guides to share and practice their storied cultures. Added to this, a percentage of profits from each tour is donated to the not-for-profit Mabu Buru Foundation, which supports the preservation of Aboriginal lore and culture across the west Kimberley region. 
 
Discover why the permanent installation of the Aboriginal flag atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge was an important step in the reconciliation process on the Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience, an ascent of the iconic bridge led by an Indigenous storyteller guide. Learn how sharing Wiradjuri language with guests on his tours in the Wagga Wagga region of country New South Wales helps Wiradjuri man Mark Saddler from Bundyi Cultural Tours keep the unique language of his ancestors alive. Or dive into the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel to gain an insight into traditional ecological reef management and the role of ancestral Aboriginal wisdom in protecting Australia's spectacular ecosystems for all.   

“Building cultural strength through knowledge sharing is fundamental to all 53 members in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences portfolio,” says Nicole Mitchell, Executive Officer Discover Aboriginal Experiences. “This year alone there are more than 200 experiences on offer across our members, and each offers insights into the world's oldest living culture as it has evolved over the last 65,000 years. You can now learn more about the collective and its reconciliation goals since launching in our newest video, here.”

“As we see interest in Indigenous tourism burgeon around Australia and the world, we are delighted to launch a Cultural Insights section on the DAE website, packed with educational and inspirational features that take you on a journey through various Indigenous traditions, as well as the events that have shaped Aboriginal Australia over the years. Among these features is a deep dive into the meaning of 'reconciliation', and how it is important to strengthen culture among Australian communities.”

“In addition, the Discover Aboriginal Experiences Media Kit for 2025 features a series of Storyteller interviews with key figures in Indigenous tourism, many of whom are open to discussing the importance of reconciliation, and how their tours are bridging an important gap toward a more positive future. We also have a new series of Storyteller video interviews with operators such as Johani Mamid from Mabu Buru Tours, Elisha Kissick from Yura Tours in Queensland, Dale Tilbrook from Dale Tilbrook Experiences and Juan Walker from Walkabout Cultural Adventures.”

If you would like to interview a spokesperson from the DAE portfolio on the topic of reconciliation, please contact the Discover Aboriginal Experiences team. 

Editor's Notes:
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.   

There are currently 53 members in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective, 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. 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 digital brochure listing all 53 members and the experiences they offer, a media kit packed with story ideas, interviews, Discover Aboriginal Experiences resources and more. 

A collection of royalty-free Aboriginal tourism images is available here. Please see the dropdown menu for Discover Aboriginal Experiences on the Resources tab.

Find out more about the Signature Experiences of Australia program here. 

For further information contact: 
Nicole Mitchell – Tourism Australia
Executive Officer Discover Aboriginal Experiences
T: +61 410 499 525 
E: dae@tourism.australia.com 
W: discoveraboriginalexperiences.com