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Spirits of the Red Sand image

Spirits of the Red Sand

Tourist attraction β€’ Tour operator β€’ Performing arts theater β€’ Tour agency β€’ Cultural center β€’ Dinner theater β€’ Aboriginal and torres strait islander organisation

😠 Update : I have received a full refund after the organisers getting in contact with me. This show appears to be shut down, but still takes your money and let's you book shows on their website. They don't reply to emails, phone calls or Facebook messages. I have paid $750 and am trying to contact th... People often mention show, experience, story, history, dinner, recommend, people, highly, performance, moving,


Address

Beenleigh Historical Village, 205 Main St, Beenleigh QLD 4207, Australia

Website

spiritsredsand.com

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (129 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

Permanently closed.

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: show (28) experience (22) story (19) history (16) dinner (13) recommend (12) people (11) highly (10) performance (9) moving (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Callum S. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 7 reviews
    Update : I have received a full refund after the organisers getting in contact with me. This show appears to be shut down, but still takes your money and let's you book shows on their website. They don't reply to emails, phone calls or Facebook messages. I have paid $750 and am trying to contact them for a refund. Do not book!!!!!!!
    6 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Hans-Joachim R. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 419 reviews
    Spirit of the Red Sands is an entertaining and thought provoking performance. This moving theatre allows the audience to engage in the history of Australiaβ€˜s colonisation by the English and the history of the aboriginal people in this context. It is a moving performance presented by a talented cast, many of whom are direct descendants of the the family that the story revolves about. It ends on a very positive note heralding an era of acknowledgement of wrongs, forgiveness and a willingness to merge two cultures to create one society. It is thought provoking, lingering long after the performance is complete. This is followed by a photo opportunity with the cast and a wonderful 3 course meal which includes the opportunity to sample some traditional aboriginal foods. Absolutely well worth attending! Highly recommended...
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 J T. 2 years ago on Google β€’ 58 reviews
    The Wild Food Festival was fabulous. Pity about the pending lockdown. There was some beautiful kangaroo from the coals, emu dogs, fish, turtle cooked by the peoples who have inhabited these lands for 50000plus years. I purchased authentic artwork from the artists. Took a walk through the bush Tucker garden which was opened today. Stay safe you mob and please can vaccinated to protect our communities.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 Shannon B. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 36 reviews
    ZERO STARS! This company is still taking bookings but appears to not be operating. We travelled 1.5hrs on public transport, only to find the venue closed. Other guests waiting around confused. There were confirmation emails but no notification that it had been cancelled. Hoping they process our refund. Extremely disappointing, not sure if this is a scam. DO NOT BOOK!!!
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Anonymous Q. 1 year ago on Google
    The evening started with a gentle introduction and sharing of music and welcoming, and then moved into a confronting reminder of the brutal and devastating impact of the invasion of these lands. A heart-felt and must hear first hand account from an elder of the local clan is then acted out in an unforgettable "rover theater" experience which is both captivating and thought-provoking. Feelings of anger and sorrow arise within the viewer, but the complexity and mix of these becomes almost indiscernible as you relate to the story tellers and the horrors they endured. Absolute silence, reverence, and gratitude from the audience during the emotional finale is clear and the story is bought to a close with a powerful music performance. The digeridoo skills, the singing and the dancing are first class. After these humbling and educational hours, we moved into the tin shed and dined in a very comfortable setting - sitting down to a top-notch damper starter. We were then treated to an absolute feast of healthy fresh locally sourced salads, vegetables and for those who wanted - meats. The vegetarian options were outstanding and vegans were catered for. During dinner there was coffee, tea and water available and soft drinks or beer and wine could be purchased. We went in July and in winter a jacket is recommended as the event weaves from indoors to outdoors throughout the evening. If you are ready to hear a real story from the people whose lands you are visiting - then you cannot give this a miss. This is a story that needs to be wide-heard and we left incredibly grateful to those who shared it TIP - this experience is suitable for children (with parental guidance) and those with more limited mobility were very well taken-care of.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jessica W. 2 years ago on Google
    Such an amazing and moving experience! I went with my 10 year old daughter and we were both moved to tears. For years I have been trying to explain the hurt and pain that our First Nations people carry with them to my daughter and this show achieved where I had failed. It is an important part of Australia's history that we do not learn about properly in schools and every Australian should know. It was immersive, captivating and we were drawn in from the moment the story started. The food was amazing and plentiful. The staff were helpful, friendly and attentive. We will both definitely be back to try the day experiences and will be recommending to all our friends to go. Thank you so much to for welcoming us and sharing your story, it is one we will never forget. πŸ–€πŸ’›β€
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Renee Lau (. 2 years ago on Google β€’ 63 reviews
    Incredible show with interactive characters and settings. Have a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the First Nation culture and history. Highly recommended and must see!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Tamara F. 3 years ago on Google β€’ 35 reviews
    One day I went to the Welcome to Country Aboriginal Experience activity. It was my first contact with the Aboriginal world. The activity was really entertaining and interesting. They taught us different types of boomerangs (being able to paint one ourselves later), we learned about their customs and some words in their language, they explained things about their culture,... In short, after this I was left wanting more and the next day I went to The Evening Experience. An Aboriginal show that aims to teach you a little more about their history. Super recommended if you want to know more about the Aboriginal, counted and represented by themselves. Based on a real story that leaves you thinking a lot... And from dinner I can only say that it was spectacular, it was long since I enjoyed a show with dinner so much. Thank you very much to everyone who makes this possible. Highly recommended!!!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Te B. 1 year ago on Google
    I definitely got the feels & was moved on the history of the traditional owners of this land where I reside. A true cultural awakening that will open your eyes to the history, beauty, and vibrancy of the Aboriginal people. Very similar to many other indigenous cultures. Def a must see cultural experience..raw & powerful informative, educational, interactive and at times confronting. My son’s learned a lot and came away with more understanding of this country's history.. We moved around the village throughout the evening & then ended with a lovely dinner...highly recommend this historical experience as the stories and performances were real. The casts & hosts were awesome! They also won GOLD πŸ’« at the Australian Tourism Awards!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Alexa T. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 253 reviews
    The contributors don't deserve anything other than a 5-star rating. We attended the Aboriginal dinner show and were really impressed with the effort everyone put in. You get a great insight into the culture and sad, brutal history of the Aborigines. Sometimes even very emotional. We were very touched. After a short introduction with a video show and knowledge of reptiles, we were able to see the β€œperformance” up close at various locations in the area. This was followed by a very delicious dinner. This is an experience not to be missed when visiting Australia and we would recommend it to everyone! Many thanks to the wonderful crew ❀️😊

  • 5/5 Paul W. 2 years ago on Google β€’ 74 reviews
    Great night out. The experience is very interactive and was loved by us and our kids. The story of clashing cultures hits home, but does it in a tactful way. The food was plentiful and was great. Highly recommended this to anyone who wants to learn about and experience a bit about our indigenous culture.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Desiraye S. 3 years ago on Google β€’ 149 reviews
    Powerful and at times heart breaking. Brilliant cast and crew, really enjoyed myself despite the rain. The government should fund this group to teach Gold Coast schools the history of first nations people. Keep doing what you do team, it was such a privilege to attend. Food was delicious too!

  • 5/5 Tessa S. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 5 reviews
    A moving performance that everyone, especially Australians, should see. All the actors were amazing and did a wonderful job sharing their culture and history. I cried throughout most of it. The use of the historical buildings and the natural environment was very cool, and the food was delicious. An excellent night out.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Daniel 2 years ago on Google
    An amazing evening. The cast, crew and staffs' attention to detail really made the night for me. I would highly recommend this experience for anyone who is seeking to deepen their knowledge of the First Nations peoples' cultures, to expand their understanding of the impact the process of colonisation had on the First Nations peoples, and anyone who is looking for a fantastic feed.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Kristiina 2 years ago on Google
    We really enjoyed the show - they did a great job with keeping the audience engaged throughout. Food was delicious and the whole team was so attentive and kind. Eddie the lizard was one of the highlights too :')
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Sharise W. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 50 reviews
    I am so pleased I went to Spirit of the Red Sands. It was an extraordinary experience. The night I went there was a light rain which added to the dramatic effect and the team did an amazing performance. The meal was wonderful. Thank you

  • 5/5 Donna S. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 18 reviews
    Thoroughly enjoyed the show. Definitely worth watching. Credit too everyone involved. Food was sensational.

  • 5/5 Katarina H. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 14 reviews
    What a wonderful but heart wrenching experience. Great show showing so much of the history from the perspective of the local indigenous community. Very well done, all participant very engaged. The dinner was ok but I had expected more of the bush tucker flavours. Highly recommend.

  • 5/5 Matthias F. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 13 reviews
    Very moving and informative experience, followed by a delicious dinner. The team at Red Sands is lovely and really makes their guests feel at home. Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Lenka Matasova - BeCREATIVE f. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 13 reviews
    Beautiful show. The story was interesting and the actors were so professional. We often were part of the show. The dinner was delicious. I loved the atmosphere. I appreciated also the transfer. THANK YOU!

  • 5/5 Leisa N. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 6 reviews
    A very moving experience that put us on a journey of colonial Australia and the impact colonisation had on the Aboriginal people. A must see experience I would highly recommend. 5 stars from this family!

  • 1/5 chantel w. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 3 reviews
    Booked first session in June 2023. All attendees arrived but there was no show. Lights was out with gate locked up. The whole group waited in a cold night on the street past show time and had to leave with disappointment. No one even received any cancellation notice.

  • 4/5 Ayn H. 1 year ago on Google
    The experience is a powerful and heartbreaking storytelling of the devastation of First Nations people in our land, which as a non-indigenous local family is deeply horrifying and sad - we’re genuinely sorry and continue to advocate for your rights, including treaty and a National day of mourning. The staff were very friendly, approachable, and kind. Hearing more about how the old ways are being rediscovered and incorporated into modern Indigenous living would have been a helpful addition to close the show. Children under 10yo might struggle to understand the displays of aggression and grief, so hopefully they already know the true history of this country. Thank you to the cast for your courage in sharing your ancestral story that continues to impact First Nations peoples to this day πŸ™

  • 4/5 Ingrid B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great show! Storytelling and acting was excellent. I - only personally - would have liked a bit more dancing or demonstrating aboriginal music making. But apart from that highly recommend

  • 5/5 Robin L. 2 years ago on Google
    We enjoyed the show; it was a moving story. well acted. Interesting to move to various locations . Narrator did an excellent job i hope that today schools teach Australian history from the indigenous aspect as well. It was hardly mentioned when I taught in High schools in Tasmania & Queensland. The dinner was very tasty and good servings too! Well done to all involved in this production.

  • 5/5 Dhiraj Kumar M. 1 year ago on Google
    It was exceptional piece of story telling. You will be engulfed into the whole show. It was so well done by all the actors for giving such an exceptional performance. Hats off to all actors for show and cooking, catering staff for preparing and serving such a wonderful food. Everything was so amazing. Trip to Gold Coast is useless if you don’t attend the spirits of the red sand show. Recommended to everyone to at least once definitely visit and experience this amazing show.

  • 5/5 Laura H. 2 years ago on Google
    Brilliant, interactive history lesson. The crew were friendly, the story line was confronting yet presented in a very professional way. The dinner was incredible. I would recommend this experience for everyone of all ages.

  • 5/5 Chris G. 2 years ago on Google
    An absolutely amazing night. Informative, thought provoking and confronting thank you to everyone involved in telling this story. I really cant recommend this experience highly enough.

  • 5/5 Sanatan S. 2 years ago on Google
    A few difficulties with the sound but the show is a great eye opener for most non indigenous people and well put together. The meal wasn't all that fantastic but good tucker nonetheless and besides, that's not the star.

  • 5/5 Dawn C. 2 years ago on Google
    I can't speak highly enough of the show and the dinner or the performers. Our experience was not what we were expecting. It is interactive and so much MORE. I can not recommend this highly enough. 5 stars plus.

  • 3/5 Nicholas L. 2 years ago on Google
    Good concept but unfortunately the delivery is rather poor and there is a lot of room for improvement. The quality of the acting in particular is amateur and rather unconvincing, particularly given the relatively high cost. It would also be better in my view if there was more focus on the story of the local aboriginal people rather than what was mostly a general story about the impact of colonisation on aboriginal people in Australia. Educational benefits nonetheless.

  • 5/5 Rosalind D. 2 years ago on Google
    We had an awesome time , we were welcomed right from the start , to the ending . The story telling was superb, the acting was realistic. The walk about is a great, it makes it just that more interesting and realistic. Dinner was so delicious. I highly recommend this show , not just for tourists , but all locals should get a chance to go to this awesome show

  • 5/5 Izabela I. 2 years ago on Google
    Great experience and one I would highly recommend. Really immersive theater experience with genuine good people. Lovely dinner and service. If you have the opportunity give this a go you wont regret it!

  • 5/5 Bob R. 2 years ago on Google
    Very entertaining and thought provoking evening. Food was good and service was great.

  • 1/5 Eric C. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 2 reviews
    Do not book! They are no longer at their listed venue. Their website states nothing about being closed, let's you pay and book tickets. I am unable to get in contact anyone! I will be making a complaint to the office of fair trade and police for fraud!!!
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Resort M. 5 years ago on Google β€’ 1 review
    The theatre play is based on a real, moving story - a great experience and a glimpse of history. The show takes you through the village, there's dancing, singing, storytelling, video, overall an excellent performance. The location of the show is perfect, within the historical village & museum, which really sets the scene. Dinner was lovely and is made of traditional foods. We highly recommend the show!


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