Following the Winds (the Macassan Tour)

Yolngu tourism is proud to announce a new tour product that links emerging Indigenous tourism ventures across the coast of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. The tour follows local stories of Aboriginal people’s history of contact with Macassan traders from the islands of Indonesia who visited the north coast of Australia from about 1700 to 1907.

Bawaka_Homelands_Stopover

Each year, in sheltered bays along the coast of Arnhem Land, the Macassans (called Mangatharra by the Yolngu people of East Arnhem Land), established seasonal camps to smoke, cure and cook trepang, the sea cucumber. The trepang was taken back to the port of Macassar, now Ujung Padang in South Sulawesi, where merchants traded on to China where it was a delicacy. This voyage will give you a first-hand experience of the international trade conducted by Aboriginal people over hundreds of years. It will also give you an opportunity to appreciate Aboriginal culture as it continues to this day across the coast of Arnhem Land.

Top End Expeditions and Two Way Tours. The tour will be offered from May 5-17 in 2009, with its ongoing availability subject to review by the project partners.

Locations visited

Darwin

Participants will be given a spirited welcome to Darwin by Larrakia man Robert Mills who gives a walking tour introduction to this colourful Australian city that lies on Asia's doorstep.

A visit to the Northern Territory Museum and Gallery will introduce clients to the unique maritime history of Australia's northern coast. The visit is an opportunity to see a Macassan sailing vessel similar to those that carried Macassan sailors to the north coast of Australia.

Anuru Bay - Namunidjbuk

After rounding Cape Don and passing Crocker Island, our vessel heads toward Anuru Bay and the traditional country of the Lamilami family. Namunidjbuk is the location of some of the largest Macassan campsites known on the north Australian coast. It is also the location of an extraordinary visual record of the local Bininj people's encounters with Macassans, preserved as magnificent galleries of rock art. You will be escorted through this country with members of the Lamilami family who are establishing a conservation park on their traditional clan estate. Part of their vision is to see the extraordinary heritage of the area preserved while building employment opportunities for themselves through a ranger program and tourism business.

Maningrida

Maningrida is one of the largest Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, it is also the location for a watering point for Macassans who knew it as Lembana Mani Mani. The visit to Maningrida will include the outstanding art centre and museum.

Millingimbi

At Milingimbi is a former Methodist Mission located on an island within the Crocodile Islands group. A freshwater well at Milingimbi, created by the powerful ancestral lightening snake, was an important stopping off point for Macassans. Today it is surrounded by tall Tamarind trees, clear evidence of their visits here.

Galiwin'ku - Elcho Island

Galiwin'ku is the largest community on Elcho Island, and one of the largest Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land. The Art Centre in Galiwin'ku represents over 200 artists living within the community and on outstations in the region. The influence of Macassans on Yolngu culture here remains strong. In 1996, a number of Yolngu from Elcho Island made a visit to Indonesia to exchange dance and seek relatives who are the descendants of Yolngu who had worked on the praus and married into Macassan families.

Nyinyikay

Nyinyikay is a small homeland looking out into Arnhem Bay. Nyinyikay is the home of Nancy Mutilnga Burrarwanga and her family. Nancy was born in the bush in 1938, and her family retains many features of a traditional lifestyle. She also holds the family's history of its contact with Macassan traders including stories of intermarriage, kidnap and cultural exchange. Today at Nyinyikay, Nancy and her daughter Megan are sharing their traditional knowledge through their own small-scale tourism business.

Wurrwurrwuy - Macassan Beach

Wurrwurrwuy or Macassan Beach is located south of the Aboriginal community of Yirrkala. Over 100 years ago Yolngu elders constructed unique stone arrangements to educate future generations about the history of the Macassan traders who visited the region from Indonesia. This unusual form of 'rock art' is continuing to educate. We will be met at this site and guided through it by a local Yolngu guide.

Bawaka Cultural Experiences

Bawaka is a Yolngu homeland located on the beautiful white sand beaches of Port Bradshaw. Along these shores, Yolngu ancesters encountered a light-skinned female supernatural being, Bayini, who some consider to be the precursors of the Macassan traders. The intriguing story of Bayini, recounted in Yolngu songs, makes us wonder what other visitors have ventured to Australia's shores deep in the past.

Yirrkala

At Yirrkala we visit to the award winning Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre. The Centre's artists have won numerous National Aboriginal Art Awards and is renowned for high quality bark paintings, Larrakitj (painted memorial poles), Yidaki (didjeridus), prints and weaving work. The Centre is also home to the famous 'Church Panels', painted in 1962, that are considered highly significant in the development of Aboriginal art in Arnhem Land.

Nhulunbuy - Gove

Nhulunbuy is the regional centre of East Arnhem Land, and the location of the RioTinto Alumina refinery. Daily flights are available from Nhulunbuy to either Darwin or Cairns.

The vessel

The voyage will make use of the Auriga Bay II, a well-appointed 17.0 metre (56') steel hull vessel that has 5 air conditioned guest cabins. Each cabin has a double bed and a single bunk.

There is a fully appointed galley, aft deck BBQ area, air conditioned salloon, hot water showers and flushing toilets. All meals are provided, but guests also have the freedom of using Auriga Bay II's facilities at their leisure and making it a home away from home during their travels.

Auriga Bay II cruises at about 8 knots allowing you to enjoy the coastline views and relax while cruising on the sea. At anchor Auriga Bay II is very stable and provides a remarkably serene ambience to relax and reflect on the day's enjoyment and the surrounding beauty of the Top End's remote, pristine environment.

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