Held annually, NAIDOC Week is an occasion for all Australians to come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH.’   

During the official NAIDOC Week, 7th to 14th July, the oldest living culture will come alive at the Desert Park through stories, displays and celebrations. 

The highlight event ‘Apmere Awaye’ will be held Wednesday 10 July between 11am and 2pm. Join our Aboriginal Guides and one of our Traditional Owners, Benedict Stevens, to listen to the land and explore our living culture.  Try your hand at traditional techniques such as roo tail cook up, making desert knick-knacks, sand drawing and plant medicine demonstrations by the camp fire.  

Learn traditional hunting and gathering techniques at Survival in the Desert, on daily between 11am and 11.45am, excluding Wednesdays.   

Daily at 12pm, enjoy a cultural film on the big screen focusing on Arrernte country and culture. 

Standard entry fees to the Desert Park apply or become a Desert Park Member today and enjoy the rewards.  

The full NAIDOC Week program can be downloaded from www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au or follow Alice Springs Desert Park on Facebook.  

Quotes from Doug Taylor, Specialist Guide at the Alice Springs Desert Park:

“The Alice Springs Desert Park has a proud history of employing highly knowledgeable Aboriginal Guides who deliver this important aspect of connection and understanding to give greater respect and appreciation of the Central Australian region.

“Our cultural focus over the week gives our visitors a chance to participate and also interact with Aboriginal staff with fantastic hands-on activities.  

“NAIDOC Week is such an important time of year and we want all to feel they are part of something special.

“Being able to deliver presentations that have Arrernte names such as ‘Apmere itethe’ (this place living) gives myself and my Aboriginal Guide colleagues Jeremy, Anne and Lionel a great opportunity to show all our visitors to the Park that we are proud of our culture.

“The sharing of this knowledge is the best way to create the understanding for our visitors who are unfamiliar and sometimes have never met an Aboriginal person.”

Media Manager for Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture: 0476 844 832