ACTIVITIES

Visit a Yolŋu Homeland and become part of a small family community and spend time with the Yolŋu people, living and working on their traditional homelands.

Feel like part of the family, take part in daily activities and make lasting friendships. Your stay will begin with a  welcome to country, or smoking ceremony. You will learn about Yolŋu kinship, traditional lore and language, both spoken and sign. Throughout your visit you will participate in a range of activities which may include traditional spear fishing, gathering of bush foods and medicine, weaving, jewellery making, dance (Bunggul), storytelling or learning how the Yidaki (didjeridu) is made and played. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Protecting the vulnerable communities on the Yolngu homelands is our priority, and to ensure that they are not unnecessarily put at risk by COVID-19, we require you to take a RAT test before we travel to the homeland.

The Gay’wu women’s tour provides female visitors with the opportunity to come together with their Yolŋu sisterhood and learn about their culture, history and country. The Gay’wu (dilly bag) is a powerful and important cultural symbol in Arnhem Land, where it was first created thousands of years ago. You will learn about and experience Yolŋu philosophy and kinship, weaving, jewellery making, painting, astrology, healing ceremony, cooking and bush medicine, dancing, gathering oysters or mud crabs and much more. Activities will vary according to the season and availability of materials.

The Yolŋu often say the land is their mother. It nurtures, heals and guides their lives. This is why the female visitor experience and connection to Yolŋu people is often so profound, and time spent with the Yolŋu women is often described “life-changing”.

Includes transport, Yolngu guide, activities, all meals and accommodation.