Launch of guided Aboriginal Walking Tour of Fremantle

22/11/99
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today launched what promises to become one of Perth's most popular tourism attractions - a guided Aboriginal Heritage Walking Tour of Fremantle.
Mrs Edwardes said the walking tour would provide people with a unique and informative tour that highlights the Aboriginal heritage of the historic town of Fremantle.
"The Department of Conservation and Land Management's (CALM's) innovative Aboriginal, Tourism, Education and Training Unit has developed a one-hour walking tour of Fremantle that includes narrative and insight into the Aboriginal history of the area," she said.
"The tour commences from the Western Australian Maritime Museum and takes in the spectacular Roundhouse and many other interesting sites.
"Conducted by one of the unit's Nyoongar staff, the tour depicts the history of the port area both prior to and after European settlement - particularly the important role the town played as a meeting and trading centre for the Nyoongar people."
Mrs Edwardes said in developing this tour, both CALM and the WA Maritime Museum, with support from the WA Tourism Commission, had provided a truly multicultural interpretation of the maritime precinct.
"This partnership will see the museum taking bookings for the tour and co-operative marketing opportunities being developed into the tourism and education markets featuring the 'Sails and Spears' theme," she said.
"The tour will initially be operated for public tours at 11.30am Wednesday, Friday and Sunday but I understand pre-booked groups can be catered for by arrangement at other times.
"The tour will be marketed through local Fremantle and Perth tourism outlets and tourism operators and will no doubt be a great asset not only in the promotion of Fremantle, but more importantly the role Nyoongar people have played in the development history of Fremantle."
Mrs Edwardes said the development of the walk was another example of CALM's commitment to the development of quality and sustainable Aboriginal Tourism Product offering employment opportunities through tourism in local communities.
"CALM has already established an Aboriginal heritage cultural experience at Yanchep National Park, which gives people the opportunity to experience Aboriginal heritage through guided walks and activities such as tool-making in a real Balga Mia Village," she said.
"This experience, which employs three people of Aboriginal heritage full-time, is extremely popular with school groups and tour operators.
"This is consistent with the Nature Based Tourism Strategy and the WA Tourism Development Strategy and it is envisaged that once the tour is established, it can be fully operated and managed by local Aboriginal people."
Media contacts:
Ministerial - Carole Cowling on 9421 7777
CALM - Noel Nannup on 9432 5111