Congratulations to Alkira Aldridge who was awarded the Bronze medal at the NSW Top Tour Guide Awards 2026

Walking in the footsteps of her ancestors, Yuin woman Ms Aldridge is putting cultural tourism on the map

Alkira delivers the Bilbaan Cultural Experience, connecting visitors to Country through storytelling, language and environmental knowledge.

Her group delivers the Bilbaan Cultural Experience from Jigamy to Pinnacles, and informs visitors about bush medicine, cultural protocols and indicators, and seasonal indicators

By helping to turn the Bundian Way, an ancient Aboriginal pathway on the Far South Coast, into a world-class visitor experience, Ms Aldridge has proven that preserving history was just as important as sharing it.

Previously Alkira was a site officer looking at Aboriginal sites and identifying sites, artefacts and cultural landscapes.

That knowledge fed into her involvement in the tourism industry.

The Bundian Way is a vital space for cultural tourism, traditional site preservation, and the ongoing cultural maintenance of Indigenous people.

I look forward to the opening of the Gateway to the Bundian Way and the Monaroo Bobberrer Gadu (Keeping Place).

It represents a major milestone creating a legacy celebrating Aboriginal culture, strengthening tourism and providing opportunities for future generations.

*Photo thanks to Bega District News