Great indigenous tours

Australia's indigenous peoples have an enormously diverse and complex culture which traces its roots back more than 50,000 years, making it one of the longest living cultures on the planet. Whether it's on a guided bushwalk of traditional lands with an Aboriginal elder, taking part in a corroboree, learning how to find bush foods and medicines, or even hearing about the settlement of Australia's cities from an Aboriginal perspective, there are many ways to experience this fascinating ancient culture. So immerse yourself in the Dreamtime and discover the spirituality, tradition and ceremonies of this country's first inhabitants.

Tiwi Islands Art Tour, Northern Territory

Lying to the north of Darwin in the Arafura Sea, Bathurst and Melville islands are excellent places to experience a bit of Aboriginal culture. The Tiwi people have been relatively isolated from the mainland until recently, so they still maintain several unique customs, such as bark painting and pandanus weaving.

It's possible to check out the high-quality local arts and crafts as well as participating in traditional hunting and food gathering, but only on a guided tour. Tiwi Tours is based on the islands, run by locals, and aims to be as non-touristy as possible. If you can, plan your visit around the local version of the AFL grand final in March — it's an experience unlike any other.

For more information, visit www.tiwiart.com.

Anangu Tours, Northern Territory

Rising more than 335m (1100 feet) from the earth, Uluru may be renowned as the world's largest freestanding monolith, but to the Anangu people it is a place of great spiritual significance. Based at Yulara, Anangu Tours offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park through the stories of the Dreamtime which have been passed down to its modern day custodians through an oral tradition which is thousands of years old.

On their famous Liru Walk you'll hear the tragic tale of Lungkata, the Blue Tongue Lizard Man, who is still lying at the base of Uluru, while on the guided Mala Walk you'll learn the story of the Mala people and their friend the Itjaritjari, a marsupial mole. Or you can evoke the spirit of the pioneers on a sunset trek atop a camel with the ever-changing shades of majestic Uluru as your backdrop. No matter what tour you chose, you'll be awestruck by the people and their stories.

For more information, visit www.anangutours.com.au.

Bookabee Tours, South Australia

Escape to the spectacular Flinders Ranges for a Great Outback holiday with a difference with award-winning Bookabee Tours. The Aboriginal owned and operated tour company will take you to locations in the Flinders where entry is permitted only when accompanied by an Adnyamathanha guide. There are ancient paintings and engravings to see amongst the beautiful landscape of rugged mountains, scenic gorges and ruins of early settlement.

Along the way you'll hear Aboriginal stories of Creation which will bring the geographical features to life, learn about bush foods, and even enjoy a bush tucker morning tea. The chauffeured four-wheel drive tours range from two to five days and are all-inclusive packages. The company also offers local two hour tours of Adelaide to South Australian Museum and Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, and the Botanical Gardens.

For more information, visit www.bookabee.com.au.

Tribal Warrior Association, New South Wales

Set sail on a voyage of discovery on a cruise of Sydney Harbour with the Tribal Warrior Association. While numerous boat cruises ply Sydney's busy waterways every day, what is unusual about this cruise is that it offers an Aboriginal perspective on the city's famous harbour.

Aboard The Deerubbun, a former navy torpedo recovery vessel now owned by Tribal Warrior Association, you'll discover the stories of the harbour's first inhabitants, the Eora, Cadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people, and learn the Aboriginal names and meanings of iconic Sydney landmarks. Then stopping off at Clarke Island, you'll witness an authentic Aboriginal welcoming ceremony.

For more information, visit www.tribalwarrior.org.

Walker Family Tours, Queensland

Discover the secrets of the world's oldest rainforest — the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest — with the Walker family. Members of the Wujal Wujal, a coastal indigenous community 380km north of Cairns, the Walker family — sisters, cousins and nieces — run regular tours to the spectacular Bloomfield Falls.

As they lead you over their ancestral land you'll see the rainforest through their eyes, hear their stories and learn about the cultural significance of this area. You'll also be offered a fascinating insight into the many different uses of plant species for food and bush medicine and how Yalanji cultural practices cared for the environment. The half hour tours are filled with plenty of jokes and smiles, so don't be surprised to be asked if you'd like to inhale some freshly crushed green ants.

For more information, visit www.walkerfamilytours.com.

Wundargoodie Aboriginal Safaris, Western Australia

For a truly unique spiritual journey join Wundargoodie Aboriginal Safaris on a tour that was 50,000 years in the making. Located in Wyndham in northwest Western Australia, the family owned and operated company offers a range of off-road indigenous experiences which trek into the some of the most remote locations in the Kimberly, visiting Aboriginal communities where you'll have the opportunity to engage yourself with the local people's traditions and stories through corroborees and campfires.

You'll also visit sacred locations such as Windjana Tunnel and the rarely seen King George Falls where the mystical Python Pool and its Gin Gin (Bradshaw) rock art is guaranteed to amaze.

For more information, visit www.wundargoodie.com.au.