Welcome to Country - A Travel Guide to Indigenous Australia By Marcia Langton
$40.00 AUD
Winner of the 2019 Indie Book Award for illustrated non-fiction
Tourism Australia statistics show that many overseas tourists, as well as Australians, are keen to learn more about Australia’s first peoples. And while the Indigenous tourism industry continues to grow, no comprehensive travel guide is currently available.
Marcia Langton’s Welcome to Country is a completely new and inclusive guidebook to Indigenous Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. In its pages, respected elder and author Professor Marcia Langton answers questions such as what does ‘country' mean to Indigenous people. A detailed introduction covers such topics as Indigenous languages and customs, history, native title, art and dance, storytelling, and cultural awareness and etiquette for visitors. This is followed by a directory of Indigenous tourism experiences, organised into state and territory sections, covering galleries and festivals, communities that are open to visitors, tours and performances.
This book is for everyone travelling around this fascinating country who wants to gain an insight into the culture that has thrived here for over 50,000 years, and enjoy tourism opportunities that will show you a different side of Australia — one that remains dynamic, and is filled with openness and diversity. This book will quickly become one of the most important travel guides to be published in recent times.
About the Author
Professor Marcia Langton is one of Australia's most important voices for Indigenous Australia. She first became an Indigenous rights activist at Queensland University in the 1970s, and since then has worked with the Central Land Council, the Cape York Land Council and for the 1989 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody. In more recent times, Professor Langton has become an academic and now works at Melbourne University. Professor Langton has received many accolades, including an Order of Australia, and has authored several books.
In 1999 Professor Langton was one of five Indigenous leaders who were granted an audience with the Queen to discuss the proposed recognition of Indigenous Australians in the Australian Constitution. She is also a frequent guest on the ABC's Q&A show.
Industry Reviews
'Academic Marcia Langton has produced the perfect book for people who want to know more about our rich Indigenous history. Whether you just want to find out more about where you live or you want to plan a trip, this is wonderful guide to culture and places.' – Mark Rubbo, Readings
‘It’s a big call, but Welcome to Country should be in the hands (and hearts) of every Australian traveller seeking a fresh outlook.’ – Graham Erbacher, The Australian
‘A landmark travel guide to Indigenous Australia … a handy reference for how tourists might best travel through different cultures and sacred lands.’ – ABC Radio National
‘Welcome to Country is an exemplary book, especially as a tourist guide. It is a handbook in more ways than one. … it gives us the history of Aboriginal Australia, written for tourists, but mandatory for all Australians …’ – Australia Explained
‘Welcome to Country is a practical and beautiful guide to Indigenous Australia, but it should come with a warning: … you’ll have serious FOMO after digesting its contents …’ – Blank Gold Coast
‘This resource, so beautifully packaged, will encourage the start of two-way learning as well as the consideration of Indigenous enterprise as a first priority.’ – Rachel Bin Salleh, Magabala Books
‘Who better to bring us a guidebook to Indigenous Australia and the Torres Strait Islands than the wonderful Professor Marcia Langton.’ – Australian Women’s Weekly
‘Welcome to Country goes beyond other Australian travel guides; it’s also an introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and places of interest.’ – Books + Publishing
‘Langton’s definitive travel guide is as informative for non-indigenous Australians as it is for overseas visitors.’ – Brisbane News
‘[H]ear from one of Australia’s most important voices, wise, considered, never boring.’ – Kathleen Noonan, Courier Mail Brisbane
‘It’s a unique and comprehensive guide containing a dazzling collection of Indigenous travel experiences with detailed notes on getting to them, when best to go and what to see.’ – Sydney Morning Herald
‘Langton’s new book Welcome to Country, released by Hardie Grant, opens up the secret locations to anyone with a map and a willingness to understand more about indigenous culture and history.’ – Kirsten Robb, The Weekly Review
'Inside the premise is simple enough, but it’s never been done – a travel guide, to the whole country, that leads the voyager to Aboriginal owned-and-run experiences ... During a recent two-month trip around the country I used my copy and can attest to it being a perfect companion.' - Tara June Winch, The Guardian
