Limestone Coast tourism operator Bush Adventures is ready to showcase the region to international travellers again.

Bush Adventures founder and proud Boandik Elder Uncle Ken Jones (pictured) said Bush Adventures had been busy since the world began opening up following the COVID pandemic.

Bush Adventures recently received a $15,339 grant under the South Australian Tourism Commission’s $2m Experience Nature Tourism Fund to purchase a trailer and equipment to operate an immersive eco-tourism experience through various national parks in the Limestone Coast.

“In another two or three months’ time once the trailer is organised I think we will see definite indication of where the people come from,” he said.

“Apparently, they are going to come from China and India.

“Ideally tours will be pre-booked from the country of origin before they even leave.”

Uncle Ken said he was looking forward to international tourists returning to the region along with people making overnight journeys.

“There is no reason why people could not have two or three different tours just by staying overnight,” he said.

Bush Adventures hosts tours throughout the Limestone Coast, from the Coorong across to the Grampians and down to the coast.

“Most of our tours are around Mount Gambier, Nelson, Millicent and probably mainly around Port MacDonnell because we have some beautiful coastline and beaches and rugged cliffs and things to see,” he said.

“We really want kids to come along and mum or dad or grandparents or teachers.

“Really our focus is on enlightening young people, it’s to get people off their devices, get them out of the classroom, get them out of the family car, go on a holiday or even the locals consider connecting their own kids with Boandik country.”

Uncle Ken showed The SE Voice a variety of props that were used on Bush Adventures tours, including a replica eel trap, a hand carved Coolamon, goanna skin and a boomerang.

Uncle Ken said it was important to showcase the Limestone Coast region and get people out and about in the real world.

“There seems to be more of a calling for it, I think people realised during the shut-down how lucky we are all over Australia to get outside again and mix with people,” he said.

“What we have to offer here is a little bit unique, I know a lot of visitors when they are leaving, they give me a hug and a handshake and say ‘wow, we had no idea it was so fabulous’.

“The really rugged coastline, we have different bush foods down here to other places, we have got muntries, pig face, we have got all sorts of weird and wonderful herbs and spices that do not occur in other places.

“We can catch cockles, mullet, our fishing is done just from the beach, we do not need to go out in a boat.

“Beachcombing in this area is fairly different to other parts of South Australia, we have a lot of seaweed here which is very colourful, we have got some of the most colourful seaweed in the world.

“On most of our tours we get to see kangaroos, sometimes emus, sometimes wombats, but our birdlife in this area is really lovely.

“As far as bush medicine goes, that is very interesting too.

“Some of the plants here are very good for insect bites and sunburn, we have got insect repellents.”

Uncle Ken has also published a series of books about the history of the first Australians, which his sons have helped illustrate.

His son Flint said he enjoyed drawing and Uncle Ken said Flint’s storytelling skills were increasing.

“The book writing is cool, I have helped Dad with a few of the pictures that we do in the books,” he said.

Flint said he loved getting out in nature and enjoyed the tours, often helping to cook the damper.

“I get to go to different places, and I get to meet different people,” he said.

Uncle Ken said meditation was also conducted on some tours so people could unwind, have some quiet time and ground themselves.

“Mental wellbeing is a very, very important part of our tours, it is not hustle and bustle and white-water rafting or jumping out of trees, it is more meaningful and enlightenment,” he said.

“It is about probably connecting people with country, so they have a bit more respect and a bit more knowledge to tell their friends about it.”