Connecting to Country

Make time in the Shoalhaven to connect and immerse yourself in the oldest living culture on earth through the eyes of our local Aboriginal elders and guides. Once connected, you’ll walk on country with an open heart and mind, and take that special gift with you, wherever you go.

DISCLAIMER A selection of the Shoalhaven’s Aboriginal tourism operators are listed at page 60. We acknowledge the sharing of cultural knowledge is subject to community permissions and protocols. We have created this directory to assist operators and consumers but we do not assume or imply cultural authority.

Enjoy an educational day of bush food and cultural knowledge with Uncle Noel and Aunty Trish of Nura Gunyu in the south of our region near Mollymook, or join Aunty Deidre from Bugiya Naway Buradja (yesterday, today and tomorrow) on the sands of Jervis Bay or Seven Mile Beach for basket weaving workshops and bush tucker tours.

For a deep cultural and spiritual experience including a cleansing smoking ceremony, book a tour with Raymond Timbery of Gadhungal Murring (saltwater people) in Huskisson and walk through local bushland, hear stories of the old people, finished off with dance and song.

Meet Dwayne from Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness and Mirritya Mundya who can tailor a one-to-fiveday Yuin retreat for your small group including food with an indigenous twist, on country walks and yarns, and healing experiences right up and down the beautiful south coast. Near Nowra, Matt Simms of Djiriba Waagura explores the ancient landscapes and sandstone caves of the Shoalhaven River around Warigala Badha (Bens Walk) where the mullet runs.

One of our newest operators, Gadu, offer full or half day tours on the water with a guide providing cultural narrative whilst you enjoy your tailored combination of fishing, freediving or whale watching. The Ulladulla Local Land Council has been running guided walks for many years on the Coomee Nulunga headland and has a wide range of locally crafted art for sale at their gallery Giriwa Garuwanga. During the summer holidays, Murrawadeen Bush Tours offer tours in bush tucker, heritage and culture in Huskisson.

Booderee National Park on the Bhewerre Peninsula of Jervis Bay is a unique and beautiful gem. Just like Uluru and Kakadu, the Aboriginal people of Wreck Bay co-manage the area with Parks Australia. Here you can discover the only Aboriginal run Botanic Gardens in Australia, a school holiday program with free cultural activities such as campfire yarns, and a Visitor Centre with Aboriginal rangers. At this ‘Bay of Plenty’, you can also book a cultural experience with Aunty Julie Freeman from Galamban, a captivating storyteller with a wealth of knowledge about her Galamban (home).

National Parks and Wildlife Service can connect you with an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger for a custom tour of either Fitzroy Falls or Bomaderry Creek, or you can make your own way with interpretive signage at Burrill Lake on the Giriwa Walking Track or the Murramarang Aboriginal Area in Bawley Point.

For a magical laid-back experience, take a walk around the Crookhaven Headland in Culburra Beach to see the carved poles and magnificent Jerrinja Country where traditional custodians still live and care for the land.

Learn more at shoalhaven.com/ culture

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Top left: Aunty Julie of Galamban. Left to right: Coomee Nulunga trail, Uncle Noel of Nura Gunyu,

Aunty Deidre from Bugiya Naway Buradja, Raymond Timbery of Gadhungal Murring, carved poles at Crookhaven Heads.