To many the word ‘desert’ may evoke feelings of emptiness, endless horizons as far as the eye can see, no building standing tall, no creature comforts (no phone connectivity!), no other living thing in sight…
This is the charm of the Tanami Desert, a place that you imagine to be empty is so full and alive, a place where you can disconnect to be connected. The exhilarating feeling of isolation, marvelling at sunsets and sunrises that stretch on forever, night skies filled with more stars than you’ve ever seen in your life, a carpet of wildflowers across the red desert sands after seasonal rains, an Emu father and his chicks foraging nearby, an ancient cultural landscape full of Walpiri stories, knowledge, traditions, bushtucker and bush medicines.
That was the impression the Tanami Desert left on our Senior Consultant Tracey Diddams and project partner Joe Bean from Brave and Curious. By spending time with Walpiri Traditional Owners and seeing Country in new ways, Tracey and Joe are working with local Walpiri families to fulfil their vision of connecting visitors to Walpiri people, Country and culture, providing basic infrastructure and services that keep drive travellers safe, and providing sustainable business and job pathways for remote Tanami communities.
The current Tanami Road sealing project and growing demand for Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences are big opportunities for the remote communities in the Tanami Desert, with the potential to create a cultural drive visitor experience that connects two iconic Australian destinations – Central Australia and the Kimberley. We are excited to be working with Walpiri families who are building a pathway that keeps culture, Country and communities strong and delivers meaningful and safe visitor journeys. As this pathway unfolds, consider exchanging your city lights and beaches filled with ‘budgie smugglers’ for a bed made of wildflowers, a taste of Roo tail cooked on campfire coals, hearing stories older than time itself, making countless wishes on shooting stars and seeing real Budgies flying wild and free painting the skies in blues, greens and yellows.
