b'Dec 2022 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 17/12/20229:51 pmPage 8covered by either exclusive or shared can take several days, to be approved. there are some excellent culturalnative title. Many of our National Parks It is important to be respectful in centres, for example the beautifullyare run under jointmanagement communities and follow the conditions designed, Brambuk Cultural Centre inmodels. of the permit. Remember that these are Halls Gap. In Central Australia thereIndigenous communities have free- very remote settlements and that are many opportunities to learn abouthold title over about 17% of Australia. transport costs are high. Expect fuel indigenous culture. There are culturalPermits give the traveller permission to and supplies prices to be high as a tours at Standley Chasm, a Culturetransit and stop for fuel and supplies, result of the isolation. This year at Walk at the Alice Springs Desert Park,at land owned by Indigenous Kunawarritji community, near well 33 on the Araluen Cultural Precinct and manycommunities. In most cases the permit the Canning Stock Route, we were able opportunities to learn about culture atholder is allowed to camp, at a to have a fascinating conversation with Uluru.specified distance from the road or one of the residents about the spirit Local knowledge can be very useful.track, while in transit. The permits are dog that protects their ancestral lands.Several years ago, we were on ausually free and often as simple to We have been fortunate to visit remote track in the Kimberley regionapply for as filling in an online form with several Aboriginal Cultural Centres and and some locals suggested a betteran instant response.Some, however, do some cultural tours. Within Victoria route than the one we had intended to Painting in small cave in Central Australia.Photos by Lois and Greg Rose6 DECEMBER2022 TRACKWATCH'