So I am off to Australia on Monday. It’s not really a holiday - it’s my best friend’s wedding, at which I’m bridesmaiding; I’m visiting my grandmother in Tasmania, and while I’m not doing either of those things, I’m going to be sat in the Mitchell Library researching Novel #2, and dashing about seeing friends. But my friend Sophie has recently lent me Lonely Planet’s Guide to Aboriginal Australia (which I;m trying to find a link to on LP’s site, but no luck - perhaps they don’t publish it any more?), and if I were to have more time while I’m in Sydney, I would definitely be checking out some of these exhibits/programmes at the Botanic Gardens, because they look awesome.
I’ve also been trying to find out more information online about the Eora Star, an Aboriginal-owned boat on Sydney harbour that offers Aboriginal culture tours, but no luck. Though I did find this site pulling together Aboriginal tour operators in Australia, which seems fairly comprehensive. I do wish sometimes that I could visit Australia completely as a tourist, rather than always being primarily visiting friends and family, because there’s so much to see and do that I never get around to.
Other useful sites for Aboriginal Australia:
- Gadigal Information Service
- Koori Net, at the University of Sydney, and
- A fairly comprehensive-seeming list of links here.
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On a different topic, as part of my PhD work, I spend a fair bit of time on Gurtong, which styles itself as a website for the Southern Sudanese diaspora (’gurtong’ apparently meaning ‘broken spear’, and as such being a symbol of reconciliation). I noticed today that they seem to have expanded their travel section, with information on requirements for travel, how to get there, and, possibly of most use from my point of view, accommodation: finding somewhere to stay in Southern Sudan is generally a nightmare, and exorbitantly expensive, so this could be a really helpful resource.
Also, check it out: Southern Sudan Airlines! Apparently they are ‘the spirit of liberty’; that may be a bit rich, but it’s bound to be an easier way of getting around than trying to stow away on UN flights.
