Cost: ONLINE SPECIAL: $295/Person (or $345 on the day); $100/Child (10 - 16 Years Old); $700/Family (2 Adults + 2 Children);

Duration: 6 hours, (10am - 4pm)

Location: On-Country - Melkjulumbu (Beswick Falls), Beswick/Wugularr

Available Dates: JUNE: 2, 9, 13, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
JULY: 8, 12, 14, 17, 24, 28
AUGUST: 2, 11, 18, 25
SEPTEMBER: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

One of the most sacred and celebrated places on Wugularr country is Melkjulumbu, 15kms along the Waterhouse River and also known as Beswick Falls. This special secret, has been enjoyed by locals for thousands of years. The Waterhouse is supplied by freshwater springs North in Arnhem Land and its lake is filled with an abundance of fish and freshwater crocodiles. Beswick Falls is also populated by mythical creatures including mermaids and mimi spirits with their pets, the rock wallabies. In recent times, Beswick Falls was home to the renowned Walking with Spirits Festival, celebrating the stories, spirits and culture of Melkjulumbu and its people.

Join us for an exclusive tour of the stunning Wugularr landscape, home to the culturally significant Melkjulumbu falls and renowned Walking with Spirits Festival. This sacred place is only accessible with one of our local guides, they’ll take you along the Waterhouse River, passing a large billabong, with plenty of wildlife to see; birds, kangaroos, donkeys, buffalo and more. You’ll then travel on foot down a sandy track to reveal the splendour of Beswick Falls where you will spend the afternoon walking, swimming or fishing and soaking up the ancient stories of this magical place told by our local guides who grew up playing, hunting and camping on this river system.

Your ticket also includes a guided tour of the treasured Blanasi Collection at Djilpin Arts. Curated by the late elder and “didjeridu master” David Blanasi, this collection is among the finest examples of West Arnhem art available to the public. Kept safe on community since 2008, the Collection is preserved in accordance with Blanasi’s vision of sharing culture. There are QR coded interactive tours if you’d like to dive even deeper into these incredible works.

+ THINGS TO NOTE

This is tour is off track and unmarked. Our Aboriginal guides know it like the back of their hand. It involves a creek crossing, a sand bank traverse, climbing up a short steep rocky escarpment, and down multiple scree slopes. We recommend it for those with a comfortable moderate level of fitness and agility.

No prior 4WD experience is necessary. 4WD access is a mixture of graded roads complete with corrugations and pea gravel. We also travel across minor tracks with some wash outs.

We recommend having a UHF radio as our guides do share information along the way.

PLEASE BRING:

• Your own 4WD to get to the falls
• Closed, sturdy footwear
• Wide Brim Hat
• Sunglasses
• 30+ Sunscreen
• Swimmers and towel
• Water bottle
• Snacks and lunch
• An open mind; willing to listen, learn and absorb

Cost: $185 Per Person

Duration: 2 hours, (10am - 12pm)

Capacity: 12 Participants Per Session

Location: Beswick/Wugularr & Katherine, NT

Available Dates: MAY 11 & 25 (Beswick), JUNE 20 & 29 (Beswick), JULY 13 (Beswick) & 21 (Katherine)

Have you ever wanted to learn how to weave? Our short course Weaving Basics will whet your appetite to this time honoured skill, giving you the confidence and know how to take on larger projects.

Fibre Art is a labour-intensive process requiring a high level of care coupled with fine needlework to ensure a functional yet beautiful finished object. Traditionally women use pandanus, harvested by pulling from the top of a pandanus tree. The process continues with stripping it, dyeing using natural bush colour and finally drying the leaves before the weaving process begins. This course encourages you to learn from our talented fibre artists the same techniques used by their ancestors.

In this workshop, you will be guided through simple techniques to craft your very own set of earrings, all materials will be provided.

This 2-hour course is conducted in both Katherine and Wugularr/Beswick.

Due to the short course nature and to keep costs down we will be using raffia, a material with similar weaving characteristics to that of traditional pandanus. If you are looking to work with the more traditional medium of Pandanus, we suggest our 5hr Traditional Weaving Overview in Katherine, or our Two Day Masterclass held on Country and in Wugularr/Beswick.

+ THINGS TO NOTE

Culturally, weaving is a women’s only business. We kindly ask that this is respected when booking.

PLEASE BRING:

• Water bottle
• Snacks
• An open mind willing to listen, learn and absorb.

NOTE: FOR FAMILY GROUPS, OUR BESWICK LOCATION HAS A MALE DIJERIDU ACTIVITY RUN AT THE SAME TIME.

Cost: $435 Per Person (Early Bird Price: $395 Per Person)

Duration: 5 hours (10am – 3pm)

Capacity: 12 Participants Per Session

Location: Katherine, NT

Available Dates: MAY 4, JUNE 8, JULY 20

Fibre Art is a labour-intensive process requiring a high level of care coupled with fine needlework to ensure a functional yet beautiful finished object. Traditionally women use pandanus, harvested by pulling from the top of a pandanus tree. The process continues with stripping it, dyeing using natural bush colour and finally drying the leaves before the weaving process begins. This course encourages you to learn from our talented fibre artists the same techniques used by their ancestors.

Weaving using traditional pandanus material is a very time intensive process. Our five hour Traditional Weaving Overview is for those who want to understand the entire process but not have the time to do it all.

Hosted in Katherine, we will teach you everything you need to know, yet compress the time requirements by using pre-harvested pandanus and bush dyes for the dying component, along with pre-dyed and dried fibre for the weaving component. You will be hands on with our talented artists every step of the way, but with no waiting between steps.

Like a cooking show with “here is one I prepared earlier”, we take the time out of the learning.

To start you will strip and process the pandanus before naturally dying using a boiling technique. Although this fibre will take a while to dye and won’t be used for the remainder of the course, the learning won’t stop here! We will transition to working with some pre-processed, dyed and dried fibre, learning the basic techniques of weaving.

All materials are provided for you to be able to make your own set of earrings, or depending on your speed you may be able to begin the process of weaving a basket or mat.

There will be ample opportunity to talk with our talented Aboriginal artists about life on country.

+ THINGS TO NOTE

Culturally, weaving is a women’s only business. We kindly ask that this is respected when booking.

PLEASE BRING:

• Water bottle
• Snacks
• An open mind willing to listen, learn and absorb.

NOTE: FOR FAMILY GROUPS, OUR BESWICK LOCATION HAS A MALE DIJERIDU ACTIVITY RUN AT THE SAME TIME.

Cost: $820 Per Person (Early Bird Price: $745 Per Person, valid until May 20)

Duration: 2 Days (10am – 4pm, Each Day)

Capacity: 12 Participants Per Session

Location: Wugularr/Beswick, On-Country and in Community

Available Dates: JULY 6 - 7

Fibre Art is a labour-intensive process requiring a high level of care coupled with fine needlework to ensure a functional yet beautiful finished object. Traditionally women use pandanus, harvested via pulling from the top of a pandanus tree. The process continues with stripping it, dyeing using natural bush colour and finally drying the leaves before the weaving process begins. This course encourages you to walk with our talented fibre artists, learning the same techniques used by their ancestors.

Join us on country to learn the ancient art of pandanus weaving from our talented fibre artists. This masterclass is an intensive two day workshop held in Beswick and surrounds, home of the Bagala clan of the Jawoyn people.

You will be involved hands on every step of the process, learning to harvest, dye and traditionally weave using Pandanus.

We will take you on country to harvest pandanus and source seasonally available natural bush dyes. You will then strip and prepare this pandanus, creating multiple dye lots of varying colours. Overnight this dyed pandanus will dry, ready for you to use and weave the next day.

Our talented fibre artists will teach you the weaving techniques to take on a project of your choosing; basket, dilly-bag, or woven mat. Depending on your speed you may even finish it on country!

During this masterclass you will be seeing some amazing country not accessible to the public. You will experience culturally important areas and have the chance to swim in a spring fed waterhole. Rest assured, special access permits as required are covered in your ticket.

YOUR BOOKING INCLUDES:
• Overnight access to our campground
• A guided tour of the David Blanasi collection at the Ghunmarn Culture Centre.
One of the finest examples of West Arnhem art available for public viewing.
• NLC Special Access permits to enter areas restricted to the general public.

+ THINGS TO NOTE

Culturally, weaving is a women’s only business. We kindly ask that this is respected when booking.

We anticipate that this masterclass will be highly sought after, however we need to cap it to ensure everyone gets a close mentoring experience with our talented fibre artists. Priced at $820 for the two days, we have an early bird special of $745 until 12 May. Book now, you won’t be disappointed.

This experience is very hands on. It will have you harvesting around billabongs, springs and wet areas. It may potentially be boggy, or undulating hardpack ground if dried out. We recommend this experience for those with a low to medium fitness and agility, or those who are comfortable to sit out components which are beyond their personal means.

No prior 4WD experience is necessary, however if you aren’t completely comfortable, please don’t hesitate to talk with our friendly guides. 4WD access is a mixture of graded roads complete with corrugations and pea gravel. We also travel across minor tracks with some wash outs and potential for slight mud during early season.

PLEASE BRING:
• Your own 4WD to harvest on country
• Closed, sturdy footwear
• Wide Brim Hat
• Sunglasses
• 30+ Sunscreen
• Swimmers and towel
• Water bottle
• Food (no meals are catered, so please bring accordingly)
• Camping gear for an overnight stay at our Cultural Centre
• An open mind willing to listen, learn and absorb

Cost: $185 Per Person

Duration: 2 hours, (10am - 12pm)

Capacity: 12 Participants Per Session

Location: Beswick/Wugularr

Available Dates: MAY 11 & 25, JUNE 20 & 29, JULY 13

Dijeridu is the catch all phrase for a traditional Aboriginal instrument played during cultural ceremony. It is known by many names around the country, but locally to Beswick it is known as Mako, (pronounced “Mah-Goh”), or in Kriol Bamboh (pronounced “Bum-Boh”).

Have you admired the fine line Aboriginal art style from the Arnhem region? Want to learn how to paint it using your very own traditional grass reed brush? This is the course for you, combining traditional knowledge with local Wugularr legend Tango, all while being hands on.

Tango is custodian and the go-to Mago master craftsman in Wugularr / Beswick where we are based. His Dijeridu’s are highly sought after particularly in Japan. He will teach you, along with additional support, how to hand make your own Jarlk reed brush, how to use it, and encourage you to paint your very own Dijeridu.

We will provide a pre-shaped and pre-tuned Bamboh/Mago/Dij along with some Jarlk for you to create your own brush to try your hand at fine line Raark work.

+ THINGS TO NOTE
Culturally, blowing a Mako is men’s only business, however shaping or painting the instrument can be done by women. Anyone can book for this course. Historically we find mostly men participate, however; for family groups, we have a 2-hour women’s only weaving course that is run concurrently.

Depending on class sizes, Tango will likely bring along additional support to help teach

PLEASE BRING:
• Wide brim hat (as we may be working outside)
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• An open mind willing to listen, learn and absorb.

NOTE: FOR FAMILY GROUPS, OUR BESWICK LOCATION HAS A WOMENS WEAVING ACTIVITY RUN AT THE SAME TIME.

Cost: $435 Per Person (Early Bird Price: $395 Per Person)

Duration: 5 hours, (10am - 3pm)

Capacity: 12 Participants Per Session

Location: Beswick/Wugularr

Available Dates: MAY 9, JUNE 5, JULY 25, AUGUST 31

Dijeridu is the catch all phrase for a traditional Aboriginal instrument played during cultural ceremony. It is known by many names around the country, but locally to Beswick it is known as Mago, (pronounced “Mah-Goh”), or in Kriol Bamboh (pronounced “Bum-Boh”).

Have you ever wanted to learn how to shape and make a traditional Dijeridu? This is the course for you, combining traditional knowledge with Wugularr master craftsmen, all while being hands on.

In this limited availability course our craftsmen will help you take a section of pre-harvested Woolybutt tree, bark it off, shape it, tune it, and begin painting it into your very own Bamboh/Mako/Dij. We will provide all the tools needed, including the materials to make a traditional grass reed brush, and the pre-harvested Woolybutt blank. All you need to bring is an eagerness to learn and confidence with basic hand tools.

+ THINGS TO NOTE
Culturally, blowing a Mako is men’s only business, however shaping or painting the instrument can be done by women. Anyone can book for this course.

PLEASE BRING:
• Wide brim hat (as we may be working outside)
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• An open mind willing to listen, learn and absorb.

NOTE: FOR FAMILY GROUPS, OUR BESWICK LOCATION HAS A MALE DIJERIDU ACTIVITY RUN AT THE SAME TIME.

Cost: $820 Per Person (Early Bird Price: $745 Per Person, valid until May 20)

Duration: 2 Days (10am – 4pm, Each Day)

Capacity: 12 Participants Per Session

Location: Wugularr/Beswick, On-Country and in Community

Available Dates: MAY 22 – 23, JULY 3 – 4, SEPTEMBER 8 – 9

Dijeridu is the catch all phrase for a traditional Aboriginal instrument played during cultural ceremony. It is known by many names around the country, but locally to Beswick it is known as Mako, (pronounced “Mah-Goh”), or in Kriol Bamboh (pronounced “Bum-Boh”).

Come learn the ancient art of crafting a Mako from our master craftsmen, custodians, elders and holders of traditional knowledge. This two day Mako Masterclass incorporates hands on learning for the entire process of harvesting, shaping, tuning and painting a dijeridu. You will visit culturally important areas, harvest Jarlk reeds to create a handmade brush, and learn to paint on country beside the stunning spring fed Waterhouse river. You will have time to swim in a waterhole or cast a line to catch a feed.

You will combine all this knowledge to create your own hand made dijeridu to take home. You will be involved hands on in every step of the process.

During this masterclass you will be seeing some amazing country not accessible to the public. You will experience culturally important areas and have the chance to swim in a spring fed waterhole. Rest assured, special access permits as required are covered in your ticket.

YOUR BOOKING INCLUDES:
• Overnight access to our campground
• A guided tour of the David Blanasi collection at the Ghunmarn Culture Centre.
One of the finest examples of West Arnhem art available for public viewing.
• NLC Special Access permits to enter areas restricted to the general public.

+ THINGS TO NOTE
Culturally, blowing a Mako is men’s only business, however shaping or painting the instrument can be done by women. Anyone can book for this course. Historically we find mostly men participate, however; for family groups, we have a 2-hour women’s only weaving course that is run concurrently.

Woolybutt trees, perfect for Mako tend to grow in hot, scrubby rocky terrain. This is very undulating, and potentially unstable. We also access a culturally important area which requires some walking across sand as well as climbing a few waist high rocks. We recommend this experience for those with a comfortable moderate level of fitness and agility. Alternatively you may sit out components which are beyond your personal comfort level.

No prior 4WD experience is necessary. 4WD access is a mixture of graded roads complete with corrugations and pea gravel. We also travel across minor tracks with some wash outs.

PLEASE BRING:
• Your own 4WD to harvest on country
• Closed, sturdy footwear
• Wide Brim Hat
• Sunglasses
• 30+ Sunscreen
• Swimmers and towel
• Water bottle
• Food (no meals are catered, so please plan and bring food accordingly)
• Camping gear for an overnight stay at our Cultural Centre
• An open mind; willing to listen, learn and absorb