On a recent ground truthing trip to the breathtaking Kakadu National Park, the TRC team, alongside our partners at Brave and Curious, had the privilege of exploring future visitor experiences with local guide and tour company owner Victor Cooper.
Victor, through his company Ayal Aboriginal Tours, offers exclusive journeys into seldom-seen areas of Kakadu, sharing knowledge about local wildlife, traditional bushfoods and his profound ancestral connection to the land. As one recent TripAdvisor review raves, “A brilliant and careful storyteller, he (Victor) shared generously about his life and his family’s history. He gave us a glimpse of seeing the country through his eyes, and the land came alive with a sense of the past and the future. This tour really is a hidden gem you won’t get anywhere else in Kakadu.”
Looking towards the future, our team walked with Victor to sites where future educational groups will immerse themselves in learning about Country, far from mobile signals but deeply connected to the land and each other.
We envisioned accommodation shelters seamlessly integrated into the paperbark tree landscape, where families will reflect on the vivid orange sunsets from the comfort of their beds, and gather in communal spaces designed to foster connection, laughter, and learning.
Exploring riverbank campsites, we imagined elevated seasonal shelters where fishermen can unwind in comfort and safety, with plenty of space to relax and stretch out after reeling in the catch of a lifetime.
Over the coming months, our team will collaborate with Victor and his daughter Savana on a feasibility study and business case, drawing together our insights to map out a sustainable and viable future plan—one that benefits both the people and the remarkable environment of Kakadu.
It was a trip of a lifetime for the TRC staff. “We love our job. How could you not, when you’re making future trips of a lifetime a reality for others?”
The TRC Team:
Tracey: Project manager, forever a Kakadu local and expert at finding the shadiest parking spots.
Lee: Project support, a Kakadu newbie mastering the art of sensible footwear and croc spotting.
Joe Bean (Brave and Curious): Landscape designer, master of the A3 printout, smiles and texters.
