Djarindjin campground officially opens with authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences on offer

The new Djarindjin campground has officially opened after years of being in the works, with Tourism WA coming out to the community to help cut the ribbon. Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation and Tourism WA put on an event for the official opening that included a traditional dance by children from the local primary school. The campground doesn’t only offer a place to set up your swag it also offers a range of authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences, from tag along bush tucker tours with local legend Brian Lee to hunting and gathering tours with Bardi-Jawi man Bolo Angus. Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Nathan McIvor said he was relieved and excited that the campground was now officially open to the public. “Many thousands of hours have been poured into this initiative over quite a few years,” he said. “The Dampier Peninsula has got plenty of tourism opportunities and cultural opportunities as well, so we’re excited for the future of the camp. “It’s another business that we’re we’re putting ourselves into. So it’s a great opportunity for Djarindjin to realise self-determination and self-empowerment.” Tourism WA chair Di Bain said the new campground offered an exciting new tourist experience for domestic and international travellers alike. “This is an ancient land and I don’t think we appreciate how much tourists really get excited by that,” she said. “We know that 90 per cent of tourists that land in Western Australia at Perth airport, are looking for authentic Aboriginal experiences. “And this is the country where there is so much incredible culture and we’re just so lucky that you guys (Djarindjin community) have opted to share that with the rest of the world.” The new campground and cultural experience tours will give Djarindjin the opportunity to generate funds for the community and become more self-sufficient, according to Mr Ivor.