Western Australia's eighth Camping with Custodians campground has officially opened at Yallalie Downs near Dandaragan, creating a new Aboriginal-owned tourism experience on Yued Noongar Country.
Koora Boodja Campground is the first Camping with Custodians site in the Wheatbelt region of Australia's Coral Coast and only the second outside the Kimberley.
It has been delivered under the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan and supported through a $6 million partnership between the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA, and the Australian Government under the Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects fund.
Meaning 'yesterday country' in Noongar language, Koora Boodja Campground offers visitors the opportunity to stay on Country and connect with local Aboriginal culture through immersive cultural experiences.
The campground features 14 camping bays, six caravan bays, shared ablutions, a camp kitchen, a yarning circle and fire pit, and is planned to have a dedicated stargazing platform.
Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation plans to offer Aboriginal astronomy experiences and farm tours, giving visitors a deeper connection to Country and culture.
The project will strengthen Western Australia's tourism offering, creating employment opportunities and supporting positive social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people, while enhancing the visitor experience in regional Western Australia.
Visitor demand for Aboriginal tourism continues to grow, with more than four in five visitors interested in Aboriginal tourism experiences in Western Australia. In 2023-24, Aboriginal tourism businesses contributed $55.1 million to the State's economy.
The opening comes ahead of the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference, which will bring Aboriginal tourism operators, industry leaders, and stakeholders from across Australia and overseas to Perth next week.
Camping with Custodians is an Australian-first initiative that supports Aboriginal communities to develop, own, and operate campgrounds on their land. The program creates employment, training, and business opportunities while ensuring tourism benefits remain within local communities.
Find out more about Camping with Custodians here .
As stated by Premier and Tourism, Trade and Investment Minister Roger Cook:
"My government is committed to growing Western Australia's Aboriginal tourism sector and positioning our State as Australia's premier destination for authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences.
"Camping with Custodians is helping deliver on that priority by supporting Aboriginal-owned tourism businesses and creating new opportunities for culture on Country.
"Koora Boodja Campground will generate jobs and long-term benefits for Aboriginal communities, helping local tourism enterprises to grow and succeed."
Comments attributed to Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The opening of the new Koora Boodja Campground provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience Yued Noongar Country and learn more about the culture and stories from Traditional Owners.
"Camping with Custodians continues to grow, creating more ways for visitors to immerse themselves in Aboriginal culture and build a deeper understanding of and respect for Country.
"Koora Boodja is a great example of Aboriginal economic empowerment in action. Aboriginal ownership and leadership of tourism on Country creates employment, builds local capability, and generates lasting economic benefits that support strong communities and future generations."
As stated by WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
"It's fantastic to see Koora Boodja come to life, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Yued Noongar Country and culture while supporting Aboriginal ownership, jobs, and economic opportunity.
"Aboriginal tourism creates opportunities for communities to share their culture on their terms, while building businesses, creating local jobs, and strengthening regional economies.
"Strong visitor interest in Aboriginal tourism shows the enormous potential to this sector, and we want to see that growth deliver lasting benefits for Aboriginal people and communities across Western Australia."
