In a national first, the newly combined tourism team of
Australian Adventure Travel has
launched an innovative artistic and cultural touring program in line with the
WA State Government’s recently announced Cultural Tourism Policy.
The company’s unique “Art in the Outback”
program features a range of tours combining arts, culture, nature-based
tourism and education. The tour program has been developed with assistance
from the arts community and the Department of Conservation & Land Management.
The participative artistic and cultural adventures will
include:
an elegant
evening event called “Culture by Candlelight” combining ‘bush
sundowners’ while viewing wildlife in its natural environment, an
indigenous cultural performance, and a delicious white linen, candlelit
dinner with WA wines held in the magical surroundings of a natural
underground cave.
The company will also continue operating “Safari Guide
Workshops” to train aspiring outback tour guides (an initiative which has
the sponsorship of Murdoch University, Tourism Council WA and Budget 4WD), and
is discussing with WAITOC the possibility of developing an indigenous art tour
through the Kimberley with Aboriginal guides.
WA Tourism Minister Bob Kucera congratulated Australian
Adventure Travel for introducing the new cultural tours
program.
"They are leading the way in cultural tourism and we are
hopeful that many other companies will follow their lead," Mr Kucera said.
"WA has some of the most fascinating art and cultural
attractions in Australia, including the excellent indigenous facilities at
Yanchep, the Gormley sculptures and the fantastic outback scenery so conducive
to painting and photography.
Art in the Outback – 2
"The Government's new Cultural Tourism Policy demonstrates
our commitment to helping industry work closely with Government and the arts
to develop the full potential of cultural tourism opportunities.
"I am delighted to be able to officially launch this
innovative new tours program which clearly demonstrates that arts and tourism
are an excellent fit and a commercial reality."
General Manager of the Perth International Arts Festival
Wendy Wise, said, “Australian Adventure Travel are the first
operators to realise the potential of Inside Australia as a tourist
destination. We continue to work closely with them to ensure that as many
people as possible can access this remarkable artwork. I congratulate them on
this new program which combines tourism with the arts in such an exciting
way.”
Jim Sharp, the Director of National Parks for the
Department of Conservation and Land Management, said, "This new touring
program is an excellent initiative and CALM is delighted to be involved. The
cultural facilities we have at Yanchep are second to none and we look forward
to sharing them with an even greater number of visitors thanks to Australian
Adventure Travel.”
More tours will be added to the “Art in the Outback”
program in the future. For more information please contact Australian Adventure Travel on (08) 9248 2355, Freecall 1800 621 625 or
About Australian Adventure Travel