Of termite mounds and gold nuggets.

One of the highlights of any trip should be a visit to the tourist information centre.

It is here that the pamphlets are gathered and simple souvenirs are bought.

Some of the better information centres even have cafés.

In Tennant Creek we are graced with two.

Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre and The Tennant Creek Battery.

http://www.nyinkkanyunyu.com.au/
　
http://www.barklytourism.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=62

No more of an alteration of ones historical background has ever been more life changing than that of the Australian Aboriginal and to ignore the effects of settlement and assimilation on these people is to ignore who the Aboriginal people are today.

One of the finest things about The Barkly is its diversification and multiculturalism and both are well represented by these two centres.

Both venues feature tasteful and educational presentations in comfortable and inspiring surrounds that create a relaxed ambiance.

So good are these venues that a full day is needed to do all their tours and view all their presentations. Nor should you expect to do it any quicker.

As a visitor to a unique and ancient part of the world, we expect that you would want nothing short of total immersion into a cultural experience that is like no other on earth.

All the tours are available at these centers with prior notice and would be included in any of Sand Frogs itinerary.

Would you like to reach for one of these events?

My tour would be formulated to fit in with what is happening within the local community.

The Tennant Creek show is one of the most magical outback show experiences. The excitement and energy surrounding Tennants big day is catchy and like the thousands of locals who come from all over the Barkly, we would spend hours sampling local produce, artistic works and crafts from school children to pensioners.

Tennant and Districts Show Fri 10th Jul, 2009 to Sat 11th Jul, Tennant Creek - Share the excitement of an outback show. With all the side show rides, competitions and displays you're used to seeing in a regional show.

The local Cup (or horse race) is a must see be annual event for anyone who's anyone around the Barkly.

The ladies where there finery's including exquisite hats and the bushies dust of there ties and polish there shoes for some fine food, terrific atmosphere and great company.

Tennant Creek Cup Sat 15th Aug, 2009 Tennant Creek - Join in the fun of traditional outback horse racing. The Tennant Creek Cup is a traditional bush race meeting with a five card program. There is a TAB and More .

Desert Harmony Arts and Cultural Festival Fri 28th Aug, 2009 to Sun 30th Aug, 2009 Tennant Creek - Join in the celebrations of a town’s cultural diversity. The Desert Harmony Art and Cultural Festival in Tennant Creek is an annual event.

Brunette Downs Campdraft, Rodeo and Gymkhana Fri 18th Sep, 2009 to Sun 20th Sep, 2009

Threeways - View amazing skills between man and horse, and experience the true outback.

The Brunette Downs Campdraft, Rodeo and Campdraft attracts jackaroos and jillaroos.
Barkly Campdraft and Rodeo Sat 3rd Oct, 2009 to Mon 5th Oct, 2009

Tennant Creek - A chance to see cowboys doing what they do best. The Barkly Campdraft and Rodeo is an annual family event held in October each year.

Saint Patrick's Day Races Sat 13th Mar, 2010 Tennant Creek - Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at a traditional outback race course. The Tennant Creek Saint Patrick’s Day Races is a fun-filled day.

What would you want to do?

I don’t care what a tourist want’s.

I care about what I would want.

If I was to visit an area of exquisite, wild, beauty I would want to see what others don’t normally have a chance to see.
I would want to know where the secret oasis‘s are. The animals that live in the region and all about the plant life. I would want to touch and feel and experience those things that I could never experience at home.

From the local people who have offered there hospitality I would love to have an insight into there everyday lives, to know there hopes and dreams, to share there music and art.
I would want to feel welcome and accepted for my differences, as I would welcome and accept theirs.

I would want to take home more than just souvenirs or photographs, I would want to take back a life enhancing experience. Something I could use in life as well as something to share with others that would not only impress but enlighten those that I discuss my trip with.
I would want to say to them, “You must go on this trip, it is invaluable, a chance to do something that very few people ever have a chance to do.”

That’s what I would want from a holiday, and am pretty willing not to accept anything less.

And neither will Sand Frog Tours.

This Fella' can teach anyone to ride.

There are many fine Aboriginal orientated tourist activities within the Barkly region.
The problem with tourist and the Aboriginal people is that the tourist is usually on a time frame while the Aboriginal people are, in every real sense of the word, timeless.
This has made for a difficult pairing in the past. A ceremony performed for a tourist attraction is hardly a ceremony, yet the possibility of seeing an authentic Aboriginal ceremony is nigh impossible.
You can buy boomerang buy the dozen but the possibility of wondering the bush with an elder in search of the perfect tree root to make your very own #7 has been a non reality for most.
And what of the chance to speak one on one to a person of knowledge about there role in contemporary society.
The missing link in an authentic aboriginal experience is the barrier that is always present when meeting any culture that is significantly different from another, the barrier of understanding.
To have some time to talk with and get to know someone who has lived a way of life that is over 40’000 years old is difficult.
Sand Frog Tours will be the link between outback Australia and an Authentic Aboriginal Experience via Aboriginal organizations that wish to share their knowledge and their journey with visitors to their country.

All about lifestyle.

I first came to the Northern Territory when I was twenty six. This was a move to Nhulunbuy/Gove in the remote reaches of Arnham Land. I stayed for two years before being dragged back to another love, The Flinders Rangers in South Australia.

After extensive travel, marriage, and kids, four years ago found me back in the "Territory" managing a Motel in Australia's last gold mining boom town of Tennant Creek.

It was at this time that my love of Aboriginal art come to the fore and I started buying local works, establishing a gallery and selling them at markets along the east coast.
Upon our return, Susan (my wife) and I managed a hotel/motel in town and became reacquainted with the local Aboriginal people, garnering there respect and acceptance for the interest we held in there culture and the belief that they are the keepers of an ancient and unique style of knowledge, a knowledge that has the possibility of being diluted out of existence if it is not preserved, shared and experienced.

Enter Sand Frog Tours.