"THE LAND OF MANY KANGAROO'S"

Renee attended the WAITOC (Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council) conference, and her experience was nothing short of transformative. Having previously visited the conference in Cairns two years ago, she witnessed firsthand the incredible growth and development across the entire Indigenous tourism sector. The event brought together like-minded individuals, all driven by a shared passion for showcasing and celebrating Indigenous cultures.

“It was the most mind-blowing experience where all like-minded indigenous people coming together with the same drive and the same passion about bringing our cultures up on the on the international national and Interstate page seeing the growth in all our businesses, all with the same motivation, to get our people a sustainability”.

Renee Turner, a proud Yinggarda woman, has long been dedicated to preserving and sharing her people's cultural knowledge. Her tours are rooted in a deep connection to the land, the plants, and the animals of the region—elements that form the core of her Yinggarda heritage. For Turner, the establishment of Wooramulla Eco-Cultural Journeys represents the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to share her cultural knowledge with a broader audience, fostering understanding and respect for the traditional practices of her ancestors.

“We got our native title or determination end of 2019. So 2020, started off doing cultural awareness. And just opportunity came about I was asked, if I'd like to go to a meeting in developing, some tourism throughout our region, and it changed my life. It became my calling”.

Visitors are invited to engage directly with the land, participate in foraging for native bush foods, and experience the ancient wisdom embedded in the landscape. The tours also feature Night Sky experiences, offering a unique opportunity to learn about Indigenous astronomy and its connection to Yinggarda culture. These experiences are designed to deepen visitors' understanding of the interconnectedness of people, land, and the environment and to highlight the ways in which traditional ecological knowledge has been passed down through generations.

A central theme of the Wooramulla Eco-Cultural Journeys is the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage. Turner views her tours as not only a means of educating visitors but also as a critical step in the broader effort to ensure the survival of Yinggarda cultural knowledge. Through these eco-cultural tours, participants are exposed to traditional land management practices, medicinal plants, and the stories that have shaped the community’s way of life.

In conclusion, Wooramulla Eco-Cultural Journeys stands as an example of the intersection of cultural preservation and modern tourism. It offers visitors a meaningful connection to the Yinggarda people’s land and heritage while supporting the broader goals of Indigenous empowerment and cultural revitalization. Through these authentic and immersive experiences, Renee Turner is helping to build bridges between cultures, encouraging a deeper understanding of Indigenous traditions and their ongoing relevance in today’s world.

“It's super important being able to share our traditional knowledge of our foods and medicines with the rest of the world. It embeds to people who we are. Like it's educating, re-educating, it's shaking the dust off people's eyes. It's getting people to understand who we are. It's how identity the identity”. Said Renee.