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Authentic Cultural Tours in the Flinders Ranges
Journey Through Adnyamathanha Yarta with a Traditional Female Guide
The rugged peaks and sweeping valleys of the Flinders Ranges hold stories that stretch back thousands of years. As the traditional custodians of this remarkable landscape, the Adnyamathanha people have developed a profound understanding of its unique features, wildlife, and spiritual significance. Yura Artu Tours offers visitors the rare opportunity to experience these ancient lands through my eyes, one of the only female Adnyamathanha cultural guides in the region.
Our Flinders Ranges tours go beyond the typical tourist experience, providing authentic cultural insights that connect you with Yarta (country) and Muda (culture) in meaningful ways. Each tour is designed to share traditional knowledge while respecting cultural protocols and the natural environment.
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Through My Eyes Tour
A Personal Journey Through Adnyamathanha Muda
The Through My Eyes tour is more than a guided experience—it's a personal journey across Adnyamathanha Country, seen through the eyes of someone whose roots run deep in the Flinders Ranges, yet whose other-side of the family was also deeply affected by the trauma of removal.
As a third-generation member of the Stolen Generations (from my maternal side), I share my family’s story—of loss, resilience, reconnection, and survival. These lived experiences are not just history; they’re part of the present-day reality for many Aboriginal people. By beginning the tour in Blinman South, I invite you to understand the strength it takes to remain connected to on culture, language, and identity, yet my struggle to find and try to connect to my maternal side because through the Australian history these things have been systematically taken away; through what is known as the Stolen Generation.
From there, we journey to a choice of Adnyamathanha sites:
Akurru Adnya, a site where ancient rock art are interpreted
OR
Dingly Dell, a site where ancient petroglyphs are interpreted
OR
Sacred Canyon, a site where ancient petroglyphs are interpreted
On our journey I share the knowledge passed down to me: bush medicines, traditional food sources, and the Muda (Law and Story) that connect all living things.
The highlight of this experience is visiting sacred sites where my ancestors have left their mark for thousands of years. These artworks are more than just history on stone—they are living connections to identity, land, and spirit. They are proof of unbroken culture.
We finish our journey by travelling to back to Blinman to visit Wadna, where local Aboriginal arts and crafts are available, each item carrying the essence of Aboriginal connection to land and people. You might take something home, not just as a souvenir, but as a part of your own growing connection to Adnyamathanha yarta.
This tour includes a break for lunch (BYO lunch).
Tour Details:
Group Size: Min - 4 Max - 12
Duration: 4½ - 5½ Hours
Price: From $155 - Per Adult $95 Per Child
Bring: Water, Hat, Sunscreen, Comfortable Walking Shoes, Lunch
Dingly Dell - Ancient Petroglyphs Tour
Uncover the Stories of the Land at Dingly Dell
This tour offers a deeply personal perspective on Adnyamathanha Muda and history 'through my eyes,' providing an immersive journey into cultural storytelling, ancestral knowledge, and the natural landscape. We will start at Blinman where I share my Adnyamathanha family and history and how my other side of the family became intertwined within my Adnyamathanha country and family.
We will then travel 20 minutes to Dingly Dell, where I will take you on a short walk to interpret petroglyphs which my ancestors left for us. These engravings, carved into stone by Adnyamathanha ancestors, represent one of the oldest continuing artistic and storytelling traditions in the world. The preservation of these petroglyphs ensures that their knowledge and cultural significance endure for future generations.
Throughout the tour, I will introduce you to the diverse plant life of the region, explaining traditional uses of bush medicine, food sources, and the significance of specific trees to Adnyamathanha culture.
To conclude our journey, we return to Blinman and visit the Wadna Gallery, where you can reflect on the day's experiences, browse unique handcrafted items, and take home a special memento of your time on Adnyamathanha Yarta.
Tour Details:
Distance: 1km at Easy Difficulty (involves walking & sitting in creek)
Yura Mulka – Sacred Canyon Tour
Discover the Ancient Stories of Yura Mulka
Step into a world where ancient stories are etched in stone as we explore the breathtaking gorge of Yura Mulka. This specialised Flinders Ranges tour takes you to one of the region's most spiritually significant sites, where the landscape itself becomes a cultural text.
As we walk through the stunning geological formations of Sacred Canyon, you'll experience the profound connection between the Adnyamathanha people and this special place. The canyon walls feature remarkable petroglyphs (rock engravings) that have survived for countless generations, representing one of the oldest continuing art traditions on Earth.
As your Adnyamathanha guide, I will reveal the meaning behind these ancient symbols, explaining their cultural significance and the techniques used by ancestors to create these enduring marks. The engravings tell stories that have been passed down for thousands of years, offering deep insights into Adnyamathanha traditions and knowledge.
The walking pace is gentle, allowing ample time for photography, questions, and moments of quiet contemplation in this spiritually significant landscape. The play of light through the canyon creates an ever-changing visual experience, making each tour unique.
This tour lasts approximately 3 hours, including a 30-minute drive in each direction, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in this extraordinary journey.
Tour Details:
Akurru Adnya – Arkaroo Rock Tour
Walk in the Footsteps of Ancestors at Akurru Adnya
The Akurru Adnya tour focuses on one of the most significant rock art sites in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This moderate walk takes visitors to a rock shelter containing ochre and charcoal paintings that tell the creation story of Ikara (Wilpena Pound).
My cultural interpretation brings these ancient artworks to life as I share the Adnyamathanha creation narratives and their connection to the surrounding landscape. Throughout the journey, you'll learn about traditional plant uses, cultural protocols, and the continuing importance of these sites to Adnyamathanha people today.
The combination of spectacular natural scenery and profound cultural insights makes this one of our most popular Flinders Ranges tours.
This tour lasts approximately 4 hours, including a 15-minute drive each way from Wilpena Pound Resort. The scenic hike to Arkaroo Rock involves a 3km return walk uphill on uneven ground, allowing you to experience the rugged beauty of the area while learning about its deep cultural significance.
Tour Details:
Welcome to Yarta Sessions
Experience a Traditional Welcome to Yarta
Our Welcome to Yarta experience offers groups the opportunity to participate in traditional cultural protocols that have been practiced for thousands of years. This ceremony formally welcomes visitors to Adnyamathanha Yarta and creates a respectful foundation for your time in the Flinders Ranges.
The experience includes a traditional smoking ceremony on Adnyamathanha Yarta and sharing of Muda (knowledge) that has been passed down through generations. This ceremony is particularly appropriate for educational groups, corporate events, conferences, and family gatherings seeking to acknowledge traditional ownership.
Ceremony Details:
