Wuldi Cultural Experience

2 Hours
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Culture & Winery
October to May
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The wuldi or eagle in Ngarrindjeri language, soars high above us, observing the land and the people, keeping its watchful eye over how we protect the environment.

Join Ngarrindjeri Elder, Mark Koolmatrie to walk the Gemtree Eco Trail, a place of natural beauty, sharing the ancient stories of his people and exploring our responsibilities of caring for the land, waters and eco system. Finish with a native tasting plate and optional wine flight as you take in the beauty of your surroundings.

Allow 2 hours for this experience.

Location

Gemtree Wines. Gemtree Eco Trail, off Elliott Road, McLaren Flat South Australia 5171. Gemtree is located in McLaren Flat, an easy 45 minute drive from the Adelaide CBD.

What to expect

Mark Koolmatrie of Kool Tours is a Ngarrindjeri Elder who is passionate about continuing the work of the wuldi upon the ground, nurturing the environment and teaching the connection to self through nature. Mark is the winner of the 2021 South Australian Landcare Award for Indigenous Land Management.

Mark says, “Walk in parallel with the land, the land speaks to you if you allow it to”.

Join Mark as he invites you to look upon the environment around you through a cultural lens. Make a connection with the land and perhaps even uncover the legacy you want to leave.

Finish your experience with relaxed conversation, a native food plate and optional flight of Gemtree biodynamic wine while you take in the natural beauty of the Eco Trail.

ABOUT MARK KOOLMATRIE

Mark Koolmatrie is a Ngarrindjeri Elder and owner of Kool Tours, an indigenous tourism experience. Mark has long been a leader in his community and a protector of the natural environment. Mark began his work in the community as a schoolteacher before moving into areas of health and welfare.

A scholar of cultural and environmental studies, Mark completed the Graduate Diploma of Natural and Cultural Resource Management at Deakin University in 2016 and wrote a thesis titled “Tribal Man in Contemporary Australia” in 2017.

Mark has travelled the world to share his insights and wisdom, including Geneva to deliver a paper on sovereignty to the United Nations Forum in 2013 and coordinated a journey of Ngarrindjeri Elders to conduct a ceremony with Lakota Elders in South Dakota, USA in 2019.

Today Mark resides on Kaurna Country conducting cultural tours that offer the history and knowledge of the local Tribes of southern South Australia.

Awards and Leadership positions

· 2021 South Australian Landcare Awards - KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award

· 2021-2022 Director Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation

· 2019-2022 Chairperson State Aboriginal Heritage

What is included

Cost includes:

  • Native infused water on arrival
  • 1.5hr hour guided cultural tour of the Gemtree Eco Trail with Ngarrindjeri Elder, Mark Koolmatrie
  • Individual native food tasting plate featuring native ingredients grown on site at Gemtree’s organic garden, or sourced locally with commentary from Mark Koolmatrie on native elements.
  • Guided wine tasting flight of four certified organic and biodynamic wines enjoyed amongst the natural bushland of the Eco Trail

Meeting point

Your guide will meet you at the Gemtree Eco Trail Carpark. Turn left at the signpost on Elliott Road, McLaren Flat, South Australia.

If you have any issues finding the Eco Trail, please contact us on (08) 8323 0802 or visit our Tasting Room at 167 Elliott Road, McLaren Flat and the Gemtree team will point you in the right direction.

From the Gemtree Wines tasting room, friendly staff can direct visitors to the Gemtree Eco Trail meeting point.

  • Distance: 1km
  • Suitable for: Walking
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Terrain: Flat
  • Access: Elliott Road, McLaren Flat

What to bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes

Guests are welcome to take photos during this experience.

Please note: This experience is weather dependant. If the weather is forecast to be 35 degrees Celsius or higher in Noarlunga by the Bureau of Meteorology, four days prior to the experience, Gemtree Wines may cancel the experience. In the event of cancellation, you will be contacted directly by Gemtree Wines and offered an alternative date or full refund.

YOUR EXPERIENCE PROVIDER

Gemtree Wines

Gemtree Wines is a family owned organic and biodynamic certified winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia, run by third generation viticulturist Melissa Brown with husband and winemaker Mike Brown. Gemtree’s sustainability, organic and biodynamic credentials have roots as deep as their vines because they firmly believe it is their responsibility to improve the land for future generations.

Bordered by the hills and the coast, Gemtree's sustainably built Tasting Room takes in elevated views over McLaren Vale to the ocean beyond. Located at the Tasting Room is the Gemtree Biodynamic Hut, an informal interactive experience providing visitors with a deeper understanding of biodynamic viticulture. Adjacent to the Tasting Room is the 1km Gemtree Eco Trail, a meandering path through 10 hectares of regenerated natural bushland, offering visitors a connection to the surrounding land that inspires Gemtree's guiding philosophies. Visitors to Gemtree Wines can choose from several experiences that deliver a perfect blend of nature, food, and wine only 45 minutes from the Adelaide CBD and 15 minutes from the pristine beaches of the south coast.

Ready for an experience you won't forget?
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