Camp with Culture Connect to culture through 'Camping with Custodians' at the new Djarindjin Campground.
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n April 2022, Djarindjin community, on the northern tip of the Dampier Peninsula opened the sixth Camping with Custodians campground in Western Australia, providing campers a unique opportunity to experience Indigenous culture. Located adjacent to the Djarindjin Roadhouse on the Cape Leveque Road, this highly accessible location makes it a welcoming stopover on a Kimberley journey, or a great base to unhitch the caravan and explore the Dampier Peninsula. The peninsula is a stunning place to stay and explore a while, offering visitors a striking contrast of pindan cliffs, white sand and clear turquoise waters. This is the perfect backdrop to the unique cultural experiences that are on offer from local Aboriginal tour operators. With 37 powered sites catering to large RV’s and caravans and an additional 10 unpowered camp sites, Djarindjin Campground is serviced by a range of quality amenities including male and female ablutions, hot showers, laundry, a camp kitchen and a sheltered, landscaped barbecue area. If you like to like to get into the true camping spirit, there’s also the ‘Camping with Custodians’ signature communal fire pit, a place to meet and share stories under the Kimberley sky. The campground is now hosting evening yarns with a local elder several times a week around the fire pit. Camping with Custodians is a uniquely Western Australian initiative where travellers can enjoy a cultural experience with local people while staying on their country. Camping with Custodians campgrounds are owned and operated by the local community who offer a variety of cultural experiences to guests, from campfire yarns to tours of local caves or coastal areas, and all have consistent standards of high quality campground amenities. Djarindjin Campground joins the network of Camping with Custodians campgrounds spread across the North West of the state, including Imintji on the Gibb River Road, Mimbi, to the west of Fitzroy Crossing, Violet Valley and Doon Doon in the east Kimberley, and Peedamulla, near Onslow in the Pilbara. In 2023, Lombadina Community, also on the Dampier Peninsula, will welcome its own campground. A number of Aboriginal experiences can be booked from the Djarindjin Campground office, including Hunters Creek Tagalong Tours run by Djarindjin Chairman and tour guide Brian Lee, and Bundy’s Cultural Tours, led by Bardi elder, Bundy Chaquebor. Brian and Bundy are Bardi men, proud saltwater people. The tours allow them to share their country and unique Aboriginal perspective with visitors. They live a contemporary but traditional Aboriginal lifestyle and culture is very much a part of their life. Tours provide the opportunity for visitors to learn about this
ancient culture, stories and knowledge, enjoy the spectacular coastline scenery and even try their hand at catching a fish! “Camping with Custodians is a great way to make a real and personal connection to Aboriginal people and their culture,” says Brian Lee. “Sitting down and sharing time together in a relaxed and friendly way is perfect for fostering understanding between people.” Book at visitbroome.com.au/members/djarindjin-campground
Broome Visitor Guide | 2022
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