Zanza Tours (listed as Blue Mountains Tours) · Blue Mountains National Park
Zanza Tours, listed as Blue Mountains Tours, takes up to 14 people into the mountains with a Wiradjuri Aboriginal guide for an acknowledgement ceremony, a walk on Country with stories of the land, plants and animals, bush food, morning tea and a hot lunch. Pick it if you want to hear the place through a Wiradjuri guide's stories, not just photograph it.
Most Blue Mountains tours mention the Aboriginal story of the Three Sisters in passing. This one is built around Aboriginal culture. Your guide is Wiradjuri, the listing says, and there are two guides on the day. It starts with an acknowledgement ceremony, then a guided walk on Country with stories of the land, plants, animals and events, and a chance to taste bush food. You travel in a Mercedes-Benz van with no more than 14 people.
The mountains themselves are shared Country. NSW National Parks says six Aboriginal groups have connection to the World Heritage Area, and names the Gundungurra and Darug peoples as the traditional custodians of the Three Sisters, a declared Aboriginal Place. A good guide will tell you whose Country you are standing on at each stop. Listen for it.
The weak point is the itinerary. The listing shows a single nine-hour Blue Mountains block with no named stops, and the description promises only scenic lookouts, waterfalls and iconic landscapes. The Includes list a wildlife park or zoo visit, which past guests describe as Featherdale, but neither the itinerary nor the description mentions it. Morning tea with homemade scones and a hot lunch with dessert are included. Ask the operator for the day's stops when you book, especially if you have a lookout in mind.
Pickup is included; the listing says to check availability for the point and time.
An Aboriginal acknowledgement ceremony, then tea or coffee with a homemade scone.
A guided walk with stories of the land, plants, animals and events, and bush food to taste.
A fresh hot lunch with dessert, included.
Scenic lookouts and waterfalls in the national park, and a wildlife park or zoo visit. The listing does not name the stops.
Drop-off in the Sydney CBD. The return time is not published.
★★★★★Personal approach of the guide and driver, two fascinating and experienced people who made the day special.
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The listing names Blue Mountains Tours as the provider, but replies to guests are signed by Zanza Tours, and guests name Zanza too. The guide is Wiradjuri, according to the listing.
The listing does not say. Its itinerary is a single nine-hour Blue Mountains block, and the description mentions scenic lookouts, waterfalls and iconic landscapes. Ask the operator when you book.
The listing promises stories of the land, plants, animals and events. NSW National Parks notes that there are different versions of the Aboriginal story of the Three Sisters, and the popular one first appeared in print in 1931.
Yes. Morning tea or coffee with a homemade scone, a fresh hot lunch with dessert, and a bottle of water on board.
Ready to book
A Wiradjuri guide, an acknowledgement ceremony, stories of Country, bush food, lunch and lookouts, in a group of 14 at most.
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