Experience our culture with Jilinya Adventures in our ancestral lands
Jilinya Adventures is a family run operation, started by Francis Woolagoodja. He saw how interested visitors to the Kimberley were in learning about the Aboriginal culture and people of the area, and so Jilinya Adventures was born. With his big family full of talented storytellers and knowledge holders, we could offer insightful cultural experiences and get family members back out on Country working and sharing our culture. Our guides belong to the Worrorra language group, our homelands stretch from Cone Bay in the southwest to the Prince Regent River in the north. Worrorra people follow the Wandjina– our god, law-maker and creator. We are Wandjina people. Images of Wandjina are painted in caves throughout our Country, and we want to tell you our stories.
Francis Woolagoodja
Owner & Operator
Francis is a Worrorra man who comes from the Oomeday (Horizontal Falls) and Mulendom(Prince Regent River) regions of the West Kimberley. He traces his belonging to these area's back through generations on his grandfather and grandmothers side... connecting him to both the north and southwest of Worrorra country. Since a child he has grown up learning the ways of the Wandjina culture from his mothers brother, Uncle Donny Woolagoodja. He created Jilinya Adventures as a way that he and his family members can share their knowledge with visitors to their country, and spend more time in their ancestral lands.
Donny Woolagoodja
Worrorran elder & owner
Donny Woolagoodja is an elder of the Worrorra people– a key knowledge holder and leader. Donny brought the Wandjina culture into the international spotlight with his giant sculpture of the Wandjina Namarali that was centre stage during the opening ceremony at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He has written numerous books, has travelled internationally with his art, and currently lives in Mowanjum community where he is an artist in residence. A Worrorran patriach, he is a spiritual leader and respected elder of the West Kimberley. Like his father, Sam Woolagoodja, before him, Donny has worked with anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, authors and film crews for years.
Our Team
Donny
Donny Woolagoodja is an elder of the Worrorra people. He has spent many years working with anthropologists documenting his culture, and is an acclaimed artist and author.
Donny
Donny Woolagoodja is an elder of the Worrorra people. He has spent many years working with anthropologists documenting his culture, and is an acclaimed artist and author.
Francis
Francis Woolagoodja is the nephew of Donny. He has many years experience travelling all over Worrorra country to art sites taking out the Indigenous rangers, as well as scientists and anthropologists.
Francis
Francis Woolagoodja is the nephew of Donny. He has many years experience travelling all over Worrorra country to art sites taking out the Indigenous rangers, as well as scientists and anthropologists.
Graham
Graham Woolagoodjah is a knowledgable Worrorra man, who is the nephew of Donny. He will meet you at the Horizontal Falls for the Garrangaddim Rock Art tour to teach you about Wandjina and the Oomeday area.
Graham
Graham Woolagoodjah is a knowledgable Worrorra man, who is the nephew of Donny. He will meet you at the Horizontal Falls for the Garrangaddim Rock Art tour to teach you about Wandjina and the Oomeday area.
Robyn
Robyn Mungulu is the head guide with 9 years experience taking rock art tours. Robyn is a talented artist and her deep knowledge of Wandjina culture ensures guests have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on tour
Robyn
Robyn Mungulu is the head guide with 9 years experience taking rock art tours. Robyn is a talented artist and her deep knowledge of Wandjina culture ensures guests have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on tour
Dillon
Dillon is a nephew of Donny, and first cousin of Graham and Francis. He has extensive experience guiding rock art tours, and you will see him at Paradise Point to teach you about Wandjina on the Thousand Island Cruise
Dillon
Dillon is a nephew of Donny, and first cousin of Graham and Francis. He has extensive experience guiding rock art tours, and you will see him at Paradise Point to teach you about Wandjina on the Thousand Island Cruise
Liz
Liz is based out of the Broome office, and she is here to help your enquiries via phone, email or social media. Please get in touch with any questions you may have!
Liz
Liz is based out of the Broome office, and she is here to help your enquiries via phone, email or social media. Please get in touch with any questions you may have!
We are Worrorra people. We also call ourselves Dambimangari people. We are part of the larger Wandjina society.
Wandjina created all the landscapes back when the Earth was still soft. After, they returned to their cave, leaving their image on the rock surfaces. We call these places Dambeema, or 'home'. Dambeema is where you come from, where your Wandjina come from. Dambeema can be a big or small place, it can be as big as the whole country and it can be where you make your camp with your family. Dambeemangaddi means all the people who are from the Dambeema. That is why when Native Title came in, we called our claim Dambeemangaddi (spelt Dambimangari). Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation is our representative body through Native Title. Other tribes and language groups also follow the Wandjina, including Oomeeda, Oonggarddangoo, Yawjabai, Unggumi, Ngarinyin, Wunambal and Gaambera. These languages come from Lalai (the 'Dreamtime') and are an intrisic part of the country.
