Growing Up Troppo - July
Reviews, tips and advice for travelling the world with kids.
By Libby Larsen
It’s that time of year again, the school holidays. Where are you headed? Anyone going to Broome?
Broome is the kind of place that gets under your skin and makes you want to return again and again. Famous for its pearling history and multicultural population, Broome encapsulates a chilled lifestyle with its low key, welcoming vibe – and with white sandy beaches and dazzling clear blue water, it’s hands-down one of the most stunning parts of the Top End.
Make sure you head out of town for a few days to the spectacular Dampier Peninsula. There’s a swag of Aboriginal cultural experiences on offer and lots of unique places to stay.
If sampling seasonal bush foods and learning about local Bardi Aboriginal culture and customs sounds like the kind of experience you’re after, check out Brian Lee’s Hunters Creek Tagalong Tours. Brian’s pretty well known in these parts and will show you his country, teach you about masterful traditional fishing and crabbing techniques and you’ll finish up by cooking the catch on the fire – yummy! Brian’s tours leave from Kooljaman, Cape Leveque.
Being a Bardi Jawi ranger sounds like the ultimate ranger gig. Protecting endangered sea turtles and dugongs, wildlife surveys, managing feral animals and patrolling the coastline are all part of a day’s work for the Bardi Jawi rangers. In what seems like a lifetime ago – pre-kids – I met up with these rangers for work and it’s great to see how much they’ve achieved since then. You can hear all about what these guys do at one of their chit-chats at Kooljaman.
Bundy of Bundy’s Cultural Tours also runs a family friendly bush tucker tour and a spear making tour where you’ll get the opportunity to hone your skills at spear fishing.
There are some cool Aboriginal-owned camping spots and accommodation options on the Dampier Peninsula. Kooljaman, an award -winning Aboriginal owned eco retreat, is the most well known.
I love this place. From totally rustic beach shacks overlooking the beach to simple cabins and glamping, there’s a range of options.
For other, less well-known options check out Banana Well Getaway, Goombaragin Eco Retreat and Gnylmarung Retreat.
Top tip – make sure you download the chilled tunes of the local Pigram Brothers for your road trip.
Libby Larsen Travel is, and has always been, Libby’s passion and she believes that this shouldn’t stop when you have kids. Libby knows that the best travel advice and tips come from other parents and so she started Growing up Troppo. It has loads of inspiration about hip places to stay, play and eat with kids that, importantly, parents love too.
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