This year has been challenging for many people across the globe, not least the artisans and conservation organisations which rely heavily on the visitor economy to support the work they do. The downturn in travel this year has drastically affected many of the project partners and sustainable initiatives our guests visit as part of their AAT Kings Guided Holiday, Short Break or Day Tour. The handmade items, artworks and textiles are what many depend on for their livelihoods.

This holiday season, we encourage you to consider supporting one of our partner organisations with a gift that gives back to a local artisan or remote community. These unique and thoughtful gifts are a special way to celebrate the holiday season with family, friends and loved ones while also supporting the important causes below:

Maruku Arts

Owned and operated by Anangu (Aboriginal people from the Western and Central Deserts of Australia), this artists collective is made up of approximately 900 artists, many of whom live in remote communities across Anangu lands. While their retail gallery remains closed to the public, their online store stocks a range of small and large canvas paintings, traditional men’s and women’s tools, and hand-crafted jewellery. Add a bush Christmas decoration to your tree, with a selection of miniature traditional carvings (punu) which come complete with a classic Maruku Arts Gift Box.

Top Didj

Located in Katherine, Top Didj Cultural Experience and Gallery works with indigenous communities to capture the rich culture and way of life in this region of the Northern Territory. Take a virtual cultural tour with Manuel, one of the award-winning artists and head guide at Top Didj Cultural Experience, purchase art from the gallery’s portfolio of regional artists from the Jawoyn, Warlpiri and Dalabon Aborigines who have lived in the area for thousands of years.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Shop

As part of the frontline response to COVID-19, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) continues to provide vital emergency medical and primary health care services to rural and remote Australia. Assisting around 100 patients every day in South Australia and Northern Territory alone, the RFDS operate from 23 bases across Australia. As a not-for-profit organisation, the service relies on the generosity of thousands of Australians and their Doc Shop has a selection of official RFDS gifts for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

School of the Air

Covering an area of 1.3 million square kilometres, the Alice Springs School of the Air has been delivering education to children in remote locations since 1951 including most of the Northern Territory, the northern area of South Australia and eastern area of Western Australia. The first of its kind in the world, the school raise much-needed funds for interactive learning programs and additional resources to enhance learning for the 119 students enrolled at the school. The Visitor Centre and shop located in Alice Springs offers a selection of books, library bags and more, available to purchase online.

For the person who has everything why not consider a donation on their behalf?

A donation to the National Kiwi Hatchery or the University of Tasmania’s Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, will support the protection and conservation of New Zealand’s endangered national kiwi bird and the research and monitoring programs to keep Tasmanian devil’s sustainable in the wild.