Bush Medicine Tour - Jarrahdale
Join Maitland Hill, a proud Aboriginal Nyoongar Balardong marman (man), on a tour that offers you an authentic Aboriginal experience on a guided bush trail walk in beautiful natural bush land in Jarrahdale, just one hour’s drive south of Perth.
Visitors are invited to take a journey into the Dreamtime and become immersed in the world’s oldest living culture. Maitland offers captivating insights into Aboriginal culture and ensures a relaxed and safe environment. Soak up the beauty of the tranquil bush on a walking tour while discovering secrets about bush tucker and bush medicine.
This tour is only available on request with a minimum of 6 for a group booking. If you are interested in booking, click on 'Enquire Now'!
Location
Jarrahdale
What to expect
Join Maitland on a 90 minute bush walking tour along the Gooralong Creek in Jarrahdale, a short one hour drive south of Perth.
Nestled in the Serpentine National Park, the forest once witnessed logging of the tall trees. However, over the last century, the forest regenerated itself and it’s now a haven to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Maitland will greet you with a Traditional Welcoming Ceremony spoken in Nyoongar language.
Experience includes:
- A 90 minute bush trail walk along Gooralong Creek in Jarrahdale with a local Nyoongar guide.
- A class 3 walk: moderate walk trail with some uneven ground, suitable for most ages and abilities but not suitable for wheelchairs. Slow gentle pace with many stops along the way.
- Experience and learn about the local native flora, bush medicine and traditional fishing techniques along the trail walk.
What is included
This 90 minute tour operates once a month on a Saturday.
Enquiries welcome for small group bookings – minimum of 6 for other days and times.
Tour includes:
- Aboriginal Guide
Photography is welcome. No filming, thank you.
*Very Important: Drinking water is not available - Please bring water with you
Toilet facilities are available
Enjoy making a day out and enjoy a lunch or afternoon tea at the Jarrahdale Tavern or bring your own picnic to enjoy in the bush.
Meeting point
Jarrahdale Heritage Society, 631 Jarrahdale Road, Jarrahdale
Please meet your guide 10 minutes before the tour.
What to bring
- Hat
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Sunglasses
- Sturdy Footwear
- Chair
YOUR EXPERIENCE PROVIDER
Kaarak Dreaming
Kaarak Dreaming is owned and operated by Maitland Hill, a proud Aboriginal Nyoongar Balardong marman (man), with strong traditional connections to the Aboriginal peoples from the South West of Western Australia. His traditional cultural bloodlines are connected to the tribal regions of Balardong, Wilman and Kaniyan in the South West of Western Australia.
Maintland’s connection to Boodja (country) runs along an Ancient Dreaming Trail known as a Songline to Aboriginal people. He lives on that Songline in a small town called Dwellingup which is in the tribal region of Wilman, which was his grandfathers’ country before him. Dwellingup is the perfect country escape just 1.5 hours drive south from Perth.
Dwellingup is a sacred spiritual dreaming place for Maitland and his ancestors and is how Karaak Dreaming Maitland’s Cultural Tours was created, to share his cultural katadjin (knowledge). Maitland is passionate about his culture and enjoys taking people on a journey back back in time to explore the ancient ways of his ancestors.
Maitland’s tours are richly steeped in cultural authenticity and include Nyoongar dreaming stories about spiritual beliefs, including animal totems. Maitland’s spiritual totem is the red-tailed black cockatoo, the Kaarak, in Nyoongar language. Kaarak Dreaming Maitland’s Cultural Tours business name is respect for his totem, and for his country. Maitland wears the red-tailed feathers in his hair or hat as respect for his totem, the Kaarak. Dwellingup is also home to the red-tailed black cockatoo.
Key Experiences:
Step into the dreamtime and learn about ancient dreaming stories and join in a yarning circle.
Experience Nyoongar culture and history.
Discover traditional ways of reading the land and join in sand-mapping.
Learn about Nyoongar bush medicinal plants and native foods.
See traditional fire making and join in a smoking ceremony.
Listen to the didgeridoo being played while enjoying billy tea and damper.
Join Maitland in painting on Country and learn to paint artworks Nyoongar style.
Be guided on an ancient dreaming trail bush walk while learning about traditional hunting.
Bush Medicine Tour - Jarrahdale
