Broome Archives - Bespoke vacations

Australia’s Best Guides – Bart Pigrim – Aboriginal Culture in Broome

Posted on June 14, 2019June 14, 2019 by Nicola Billens

Please explain a little bit about who you are and what you do as an Aboriginal cultural guide in Broome.
I am a Yawuru man of the Broome region in the Kimberley of Western Australia and I offer a variety of experiences that blends the beauty of the region with its unique and fascinating history and culture of the Aboriginal people!

What got you started as an Aboriginal cultural guide and what do you find most interesting about it?
I was one of two Emerging Curators in my previous employment and was involved in several curatorial projects that stimulated my curiosities and so I developed a passion for history and the survival of my Aboriginal culture and language. This led me to start my tourism operations. The most interesting part of it is that I actually have a direct link to our amazing history in Broome and that my culture is embedded within the landscape of Broome so I truly have a deeper connection with all my experiences that I offer.

How do you bring Aboriginal culture to life on your tours?
I think of myself as a ‘curator out on country’ and that the natural and built environment is my museum. By using historical documents and Aboriginal story telling / oral history I am able to give my guests a true understanding of who and what we are as a people and when and where certain historical events took place.

Why do you think it’s important that people learn about Aboriginal culture?
I think Domestic and International visitors in Australia are becoming more and more curious about our ancient Aboriginal culture and I believe it is our responsibility as Aboriginal people to provide opportunities for these visitors to learn about us! I always say that this is ‘reconciliation’ in practice!

If people wanted to find out more about Aboriginal Culture are there any particular books, documentaries or websites you would recommend?
Broome has been well documented over the past 140 years but there are some stand out books about our Aboriginal people and story including – Lustre- Pearling and Australia
Gularabulu
Reading the Country
Once in Broome
This is My Word
Yawuru Cultural Management Plan
Re-imagining Australia
www.bates.org.au
www.yawuru.com
www.goolarri.com

What’s your favourite Australian animal and why?
The Black Kite because there are many in Broome and they have an affinity with fire like myself.

What place is Australia’s best-kept secret?
The Dinosaur Coast of the West Kimberley region!

What haven’t you seen / done in Australia that you’d like to and why?
I would like to see more of the east coast of Australia because I haven’t spent much time exploring there and understanding the Aboriginal cultures for that coastline!

Finally, how can people follow you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/narlijia/
https://www.facebook.com/narlijia/

Click here to find out more about Australian travel with Alquemie

REMOTE OUTBACK ADVENTURE TOP END, KIMBERLEY & NINGALOO

Posted on August 19, 2018August 20, 2018 by Nicola Billens

Alquemie is very pleased to announce its first small group air safari for clients who would like to experience Australia’s remote outback by private air charter over 16 incredible days in May 2019.

Starting in Darwin, this air safari takes just 8 guests to far flung locations like Kakadu and Arnhem Land, the Bungle Bungles, Mitchell Falls, Ningaloo Reef and much more. Accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to remote rustic beach camps with incredible experiences.

This small group hosted air safari is perfect for couples who wish to meet like minded people or for those that wish to see this incredible part of Australia by charter flight but would prefer to share the air costs.

With just 8 places we expect this tour to sell out quickly.

View the full itinerary here.

16 DAY HOSTED SMALL GROUP AIR SAFARI BY PRIVATE JET
Dates: 13 – 28 MAY 2019

Highlights

Meet and engage with traditional Aboriginal elders, a modern day urban Indigenous chef and Aboriginal artists living in a remote and restricted community near abundant rock art galleries.

See Australia’s spectacular outback and coastal scenery by air, land, and water with expert guides and local, authentic characters leading you to magical spots in the middle of nowhere.

Discover the wealth of Australia’s unique wildlife.

Swim with whale sharks, the ocean’s gentle giants, in the pristine turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef.

Stay at exclusive wilderness locations chosen for their breadth of interesting experiences including a bush campsite in the heart of Kakadu, a working cattle station, a cliff-top retreat on 700,000 acres of stunning outback, an award-wining rustic seaside camp accessible only by air or sea, and a desert-meets-the-ocean luxury tented camp.

The Kimberley

Posted on April 9, 2016July 31, 2017 by Nicola Billens

The Wild North West (The Kimberley)

The Kimberley is a vast region that is for the most part totally uninhabited. Occupying the north west of Australia it is really only accessible during our winter months from April through to October. The big draw cards are the spectacular coastline, rugged outback wilderness, and the extraordinary assemblage of wildlife. The challenge is always finding a way to explore and experience all three. This is a remarkable part of Australia, and an incredibly unique destination. Below is a crash course on some key regional highlights.

Private yacht charter in Western Australia

Broome

This is purely a gateway port to start a journey in the Kimberley. The town itself can be covered in an afternoon or one night so not really much need to stay longer than one night – but could do two if you wanted.

Kimberley Coast – Expedition Cruising

Visit where the big ships can't go on the True North - Kimberley Wilderness Cruise — Visit where the big ships can’t go on the True North – Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

Daily activities can include scenic walks, helicopter flights, fishing, snorkelling, cultural visits, picnics, flora, bird and wildlife watching, diving, exploring and much more… Multiple expedition vessels or ‘tenders’ take guests in small groups to experience the wilderness ‘up close’ and, the luxury of having numerous tenders means that everyone onboard has greater opportunity to do “what they want, when they want”.

Most cruise options feature an onboard helicopter opening up a whole range of options from scenic flights and heli-picnics to overnight camping adventures. Discover virtually unseen and untouched parts of The Kimberley.

Beach Picnic on the True-North - a Kimberley Wilderness Cruise — Beach Picnic on the True-North – a Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

Kimberley Coast – Air Safari

Out of Broome a great way of seeing the Buccaneer Archipelago (one of the most spectacular sections of the Kimberley Coast) is by helicopter or light aircraft. You can fly over this stretch of coast for around three hours and if using a heli could include a stop for lunch at the horizontal waterfalls. The main points of interest include a stop at Cygnet Bay, a working pearl farm, and at the Horizontal waterfalls. True North also covers the same stretch of coast, however doing it by air is a different experience all together, not to mention the time difference. You would then fly down into Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary.

Sunrise at Raft Point by helicopter with True North - Kimberley Wilderness Cruise — Sunrise at Raft Point by helicopter with True North – Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

Kimberley Coast – Kimberley Coastal Camp

‘Crushed coral rustic luxury’ is the best way to describe this property. Located along an impressive stretch of the Kimberly Coast this rustic camp is a great experience with good aboriginal art (including Bradshaw and Wandjina Art), great fishing and beautiful coastal scenery. Hugely popular with all our past travellers due to the uniqueness and personalisation of experience. This really isn’t offered anywhere else in the region – hands on experiences out exploring with your guides. Accommodation is open air ‘shacks’ with bare sand/coral floors and open air ‘windows’ – all looking out onto the water. Small, intimate, and very unique.

Kimberley Outback – El Questro Homestead

Baobab dining at El Questro Homestead in The Kimberley

This is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, and is by far the most comfortable outback experience in this part of the country. The station has various accommodation options, however the homestead is the only luxurious option. It is a few hours’ drive, or a short heli flight from Kununurra. There are a range of on-site activities included in a stay here, as is all your food and beverages.

Kimberley Inland – Mornington Downs Wilderness Sanctuary

A very authentic side to this region. Mornington Downs has good African style safari tents, but there is more specific focus on the wildlife conservation work here. This is run by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy who are doing some impressive work in this region, and will show you a very interesting (and to many unknown) side to the conservation battle in Australia. Mornington is the one place in Northern Australia that has managed to reverse the declining mammal populations and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy is the leading private conservation group in the country. This is an opportunity to experience some of the Kimberley’s wildlife, and is usually a very rewarding visit.