Koomal Dreaming

Koomal Dreaming provides an opportunity for visitors to experience Wadandi and Bibbulman country (the Margaret River Region) through the eyes of the Traditional Owners.

Wadandi cultural custodian, Josh Whiteland, provides guests with the opportunity to taste native foods, discover bush medicine, and experience traditional fire lighting. Josh recounts stories of the Dreaming spirits that relate to his traditional area, and takes visitors deep into Ngilgi Cave for a uniquely memorable didgeridoo cave experience.

The Wadandi and Bibbulman people of Australia’s south-west have walked the ancient Margaret River lands for almost 50,000 years. Together with other Aboriginal groups from Kalbarri to Esperance, they are known as Noongar. The Noongar culture is as rich and varied as the countryside itself, and sharing in their knowledge of culture and the pristine environment is fascinating.

Josh Whiteland will help you explore the region on a number of tour options that show the local plants used for traditional medicines and provide you with a taste of native bush foods.

He’ll also demonstrate the traditional ways of fire lighting, the ancient art of tool making and introduce you to the animals, plants and Dreaming Spirits that have enriched the lives of the local people and their ancestors.

Josh also happens to be a talented musician who will delight you with a mesmerising didgeridoo performance and stories about Dreamtime legends inside the spectacular Ngilgi cave, where the good spirit Ngili lives.

Private tours, customised experiences and cultural awareness sessions are also available.

Experiences

Nigilgi Cave Cultural Tour
Journey into Ngilgi Cave and be mesmerised by a live didgeridoo performance, deep inside the cave. Take a bushwalk with Koomal and learn how to identify traditional plants, foods and medicines relating to the Aboriginal six seasons. Discover the art of traditional fire lighting and tool making, and participate in a didgeridoo music session. Includes cave entry, guided bushwalk and cave tour.

Days Operating: 7 days on request
Season: Jan - June / Sept - Dec
Duration: 2.5 hours
Min Numbers: 4
Max Numbers: 30

Twilight Didgeridoo Cave Tour
Short guided bush walk identifying traditional medicine plants & sharing knowledge about the region. Then venture into Ngilgi Cave to hear Dreamtime legends and a didgeridoo performance as part of a unique cave experience. Includes cave entry, guided bushwalk and cave tour.

Days Operating: 7 days on request
Season: Jan - June / Sept - Dec
Duration: 1.5 hours
Min Numbers: 4
Max Numbers: 30

Full Day Private Tour
Immerse your senses in an authentic Aboriginal cultural experience as you spend the day with Josh ‘Koomal’ exploring the best of Dunsborough and Yallingup. Includes pick up and drop off from Dunsborough - Yallingup region, private Ngili Cave tour, entrance to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and lunch (traditional foods & flavours).

Days Operating: 7 days on request
Season: Jan - June / Sept - Dec
Duration: 6 hours
Min Numbers: 2
Max Numbers: 4

Getting there

Tours operate from Ngilgi Cave, Caves Road, Yallingup. Yallingup is in the Margaret River wine region and is 259km south of Perth (about a 2hr 30min drive). The Full Day Cultural Tour includes return hotel transfers from the Dunsborough/Yallingup area. Coaches run daily to the area from Perth.