An Aboriginal-owned property welcoming campers following the opening of Koora Boodja is the latest addition to Western Australia's Camping with Custodians program.
The campground is at Yallalie Downs on Yued Noongar Country, about 200 kilometres north of Boorloo / Perth. The property is owned and managed by Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation.
Its opening brings the number of Camping with Custodians sites across WA to eight and extends the program into the Wheatbelt. It is the second campground in the program outside the Kimberley.
Koora Boodja means 'yesterday Country' in Noongar and the venture will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about local culture.
Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation plans to offer Aboriginal astronomy experiences and farm tours, while a dedicated stargazing platform is also planned.
Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the campground would help connect visitors with Traditional Owners.
"The opening of the new Koora Boodja Campground provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience Yued Noongar Country and learn more about the culture and stories from Traditional Owners," she said.
"Koora Boodja is a great example of Aboriginal economic empowerment in action.
"Aboriginal ownership and leadership of tourism on Country creates employment, builds local capability, and generates lasting economic benefits that support strong communities and future generations."
The campground has 14 camping bays and six caravan bays, with a shared camp kitchen and bathroom facilities.
There will also be a yarning circle and fire pit that will provide space for visitors to gather.
Camping with Custodians supports Aboriginal communities to establish and operate campgrounds on their own land, keeping the benefits of tourism within those communities.
The program also aims to create local jobs and training opportunities through Aboriginal-owned businesses.
WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said community ownership allowed Aboriginal people to decide how their culture was shared.
"Aboriginal tourism creates opportunities for communities to share their culture on their terms, while building businesses, creating local jobs, and strengthening regional economies," he said.
Koora Boodja was delivered under the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan, with support from a $6 million partnership between the State and Federal governments. The partnership involves Tourism WA and the Federal Government's Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects fund.
WA Premier Roger Cook said Koora Boodja Campground will "generate jobs and long-term benefits for Aboriginal communities, helping local tourism enterprises to grow and succeed".
Aboriginal tourism businesses contributed $55.1 million to the State's economy in 2023-24, with more than four in five visitors expressing interest in Aboriginal tourism experiences.
