Sydney-based, Australian author, food and travel writer, Sally Hammond, shares her world ... and her table

With summer almost here again I was reminded of a trip I took to Darling Harbour last summer with some friends newly arrived in Australia.

After lunch we walked along the Promenade beside Cockle Bay then on behind Imax and decided to stop at the beautifully presented Outback Centre (below) beside the Chinese Garden. I must admit we did it as much as anything because our friends are European and we thought it might be a low-key and simple way to expose them a little to the rest of the country.

Inside a sign announced a ‘Free Didgeridoo Show’ and as it was almost time  for the show to begin we decided as an added cultural learning experience for them to enter the auditorium behind the shopfront. Truth is, it was a mercilessly hot day, and inside was cool and shady.

What we did not know was what a great advertisement for Australia, its people and its culture this would prove to be. The cinema-sized screen provided a sensitive background to what was the real star of the show – the didgeridoo player Jeremy Donovan (above).

As he coaxed a multitude of sounds out of his ‘didge’ (music, of course, but also even ‘speaking’ through it as well as producing animal and bird noises) he shared in the most dignified way a deep knowledge of his people, history and culture. His love for this wide brown land was palpable without for a moment appearing cloying or insincere. I was proud for my friends to have such a beautiful and honest introduction to an aspect of this country that is not always presented so well.

I would advise anyone hosting visitors from another country to make this an absolute must on their schedule.

Outback Centre, 28 Darling Walk, 1025 Harbour street, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW. Sounds of the Outback, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm daily. www.outbackcentre.com.au

Further afield, I would also recommend Tjapukai at Kuranda, near Cairns in north Queensland. Established in 1987 when a cross-cultural group of entertainers created Australia's first Aboriginal dance theatre it offers entertainment over a couple of hours while guests dine (right). It is a fun experience with humour and colour, but still presents Aboriginal culture in an appropriate and positive manner. More details: www.tjapukai.com.au

Earlier this year we visited Wigay Aboriginal Culture Park in Kempsey, northern New South Wales. Here again, our aboriginal hosts showed us much that we did not know. They took us on a tour through the park, pointing out indigenous plants and trees – some with edible fruits and berries, others of medicinal use – and cooked us a fabulous lunch. Let me just say, until you have had local bream cooked in native leaves and paperbark you have not tasted fish as it should be (left).
More details: greg.babbage@tafensw.edu.au