When Carly participated in an On Country Experience on Bundjalung Country, the sound of waves breaking on white sand mingled with birdsongs, as her group listened and learned. They were at the beginning of a journey that challenged everything they thought they knew about connection, culture, and country.
“We walked Country with local guides, learning about bush tucker and significant places,” Carly reflected. “But more than that, we learned about the pillars of connection that guide their lives.”
The experience was transformative as people shared their culture and opened their hearts, inviting others to see and understand life through their eyes.
This model of connection, what Global Mission Partners calls Immersion Experiences, is quietly building bridges across Australia. These visits are invitations into relationship where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians meet on equal ground, led by Indigenous communities themselves.
The opportunity for someone to learn directly from Indigenous leaders, engage with, and participate in community life, offers an authenticity that cannot be replicated in any other way.
An On-Country Experience offers individuals the opportunity to step outside their familiar surroundings and immerse themselves in rich cultural practices, fostering a sense of belonging and community. These visits are invitations into a relationship where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians meet on equal ground, led by Indigenous communities themselves.
For church groups, leadership teams and young adults, On Country visits offer something no textbook can teach: the chance to sit with Indigenous Christian leaders, hear how faith and culture connect, and witness the strength and generosity of communities that continue to welcome others.
Two and a half hours west of Brisbane, the Dhiiyaan property in Dalby offers another powerful example. This Aboriginal-owned faith community runs the True Fella program for at-risk Indigenous youth and welcomes visitors to learn what genuine reconciliation requires.
Dhiiyaan, meaning ‘family’ in the Goomeroi language, offers three-day stays that blend cultural awareness teaching with hands-on work. Participants who visit learn about caring for Country, then get their hands dirty with permaculture, animal management and property maintenance. Around campfires during directed Dadirri sessions, deep listening and sharing create bonds that transcend cultural divides.
On a Songlines tour in Melbourne, participants explore the five key aspects of Aboriginal culture (land, family, law, language and ceremony). Groups can visit important Indigenous sites and learn about their community’s history. True reconciliation asks visitors to listen deeply, to understand history and to build relationships grounded in respect.
When you give the gift of an On-Country Experience, you help Indigenous communities generously open their worlds and provide opportunities for non-Indigenous Australians to learn and listen where something lasting takes shape. Connections form. Understanding deepens. Hearts open.
Give the Great Gift of an On Country Experience today for $75. You are helping to strengthen the work of reconciliation, fostering hope for a better shared future.
Find more gifts that equip Indigenous-led ministries in the Great Gifts catalogue today.