FNTMP Success Stories: Explore Byron Bay and HMJ Associates

Explore Byron Bay is an Aboriginal business offering cultural tours at Cape Byron and Broken Head. The tours are led by Delta Kay, a Bundjalung woman from Byron Bay, who is passionate about sharing Aboriginal culture. 

During tours, guests hear about life before colonisation, including how Bundjalung people cared for and preserved the land. Delta teaches some Bundjalung and provides information about local bush tucker, natural medicine, tools, weapons and artefacts. At the end of each tour, guests enjoy tasting a variety of delicious bush tucker foods.

Explore Byron Bay sought assistance from its FNTMP mentor to expand its product offering and developing its bush tucker range. Hugo Johnston (mentor) assisted Explore Byron Bay with the below focus areas. 

Expanding product range

• Supported Explore Byron Bay to develop a local bush tucker range to be showcased at the end of each tour, online and at events. Activities included:
• collecting expressions of interest from a range of suppliers within Australia
• selection of Taste the Bush as the main supplier given its deep understanding of the native food industry and the Northern Rivers region
• taste-testing the new bush tucker products and enabling the initial production run

Exploring partnerships

• Supporting negotiations with local stores for representation and distribution

FNTMP mentoring outcomes

Key successes included:

• Creation of a unique and deadly bush tucker range with local suppliers
• Product differentiation through the addition of a native food experience to tours
• Initial production run was well received making local partnerships possible to further expand the business.
  
  

To learn more about the FNTMP or to apply visit: https://www.fntmp.com.au/s/