Western Australia
Getting there: Lois Jones travelled to Australia with the Oneworld airline alliance. Both Oneworld members British Airways and Qantas operate frequent services between London and Perth.
Aborigines in western Australia: western Australia or WA is Australia’s largest state, its most isolated and its least tourist-populated. WA has an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of over 47,250, which represents some 16% of the nation’s total.
Aboriginal culture: Graham Ellis-Smith is managing director of Kadjininy Enterprises which focuses on the enhancement and teaching of indigenous culture.
Contact details: Graham’s phone: +0061 8 9443 1451; Fax: +0061 8 9443 1446. Mobile: 04419.946.276 E-mail: kadjininy@wanet.com.au
John Forrest National Park: John Forrest National Park is 16 miles east of Perth and a 40min car drive from Perth via the Great Eastern Highway. Facilities include barbecues, a kiosk, tavern, picnic tables, water, toilets and a car park.
Djaril-Mari YHA: set in the Darling Ranges, 25 miles east of Perth, Perth Hills Youth Hostel Association is a great place to experience the Australian bush in its diverse splendour. The hostel is equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, barbecues, volleyball court, small shop and log fires in winter.
Contact details: Perth Hills YHA, Mundaring Weir Road, Mundaring, W.A. 6073, Australia Tel: 0061 8 9295 1809 Prices from around £6 per night.