Wiradjuri man Mark Saddler who runs Bundyi Tours, said for the first time ever, NSW aboriginal tourism surpassed QLD but the struggle remains bringing it to regional areas. 

"Regional tourism is harder because we have to encourage people to come all the way out from the east coast," he said.

"There’s beautiful tours in Sydney but when you come out to regional areas, we take you to true sites, not manufactured sites, which are of only a few left so it’s very hands on - touch, taste, and smell."

Mr Saddler stressed the importance of Aboriginal tourism, not just to him, but to the whole community.

"I believe aboriginal and Wiradjuri tourism is a massive part of reconciliation, the people are asking us questions they might have been too scared to ask, and we tell the sad and happy stories and make them feel comfortable to learn about our culture,"

"Aboriginal tourism can take you to a place you walk over everyday, and learn a new way to read the environment and the land.

"We show you the country with different eyes, and how to reuse the senses."

As the industry grows, Mr Saddler said he hopes to branch out into other types of tours. 

"It’s a hell of a lot of work, and my next venture is doing walking tours along the river, or even biking tours," he said.

"My tourism and school programs have been going for some years now, and the last two years I’ve had to buy a bus with more people coming in, and in the next 18 months to two years, I hope I can hire a few aboriginal people to help me out.

"I also want to write up a training package on Aboriginal tourism to go through a TAFE course that will deliver a meaningful certificate and teach identification, how to talk to people and cook and get car or bus licenses, accounting skills, learn how to respect and listen to your elders, and all of those essential things to the industry and its success."

Mr Saddler said the industry needs to change, and hopes the path its headed towards will get them to a good place. 

"Our people have been here for nearly 80 thousand years now and we are the centre of the known universe - we are the oldest people in the known world," he said. 

"The biggest part about Aboriginal tourism is that we are all passionate about it, it’s not just a speal, its passing on living history, not out of books but passed down through generations.

"We can't change yesterday, but we are in charge of tomorrow."