Immerse yourself in culture when embarking on a tour with Karaak Dreaming. By Tori Wilson Images by Josh Cowling
At One with the Land
T
o connect deeply to the earth, read the whispers of the trees, and interpret the secrets of the bushland are spectacular skills possessed by Aboriginal elder and Karaak Dreaming owner and operator Maitland Hill. For Maitland however, it's a skillset as natural as breathing.
Spend time with him on one of his cultural tours and you too will gain a wealth of insights into Dwellingup’s natural attributes, and feel truly connected to country. Identifying bush medicine, tasting bush tucker, learning traditional hunting techniques, and understanding the power of Dreamtime stories are just some of experiences you will share.
feel the place and hear the stream. Listen to country, listen to the birds, listen to what’s coming ... feel the rain coming.”
After selecting a tour with Maitland, start your day at the Visitor Centre’s Waypoints Café for a light snack before heading into the heart of Dwellingup, to Nanga Brook Kep-Bilo (water stream). Follow Maitland in your car along Nanga Brook Road, lined with ancient forest, and make sure your windows are down to allow you to breathe deep as you enter a natural paradise.
Standing by Nanga Brook, surrounded by tall marri trees, Maitland closes his eyes and speaks a powerful welcome to country to the trees above. “My goal is for people to connect with country when they come to Dwellingup, to feel country,” he explains. “When I do a welcome to country, I want (people) to close their eyes and really Western 4W Driver #122 |
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