Mark Koolmatrie is a proud Ngarrindjeri man, cultural lawman and the owner of Kool Tours, an award-winning Aboriginal tourism experience sharing the stories, landscapes and living culture of his ancestral lands and waters.

Under Mark’s leadership, Kool Tours has achieved national recognition, entering the South Australian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2024 and being awarded Bronze as Australia’s third-best Aboriginal tourism experience. His work is grounded in cultural integrity, education and a deep commitment to sharing knowledge in a way that honours both community and Country.

Mark Koolmatrie
Owner at Mark Koolmatrie Consulting

Mark’s professional journey began in education, working as a primary school teacher across South Australia, where he developed a passion for cultural learning and storytelling. He has since played a significant leadership role in the Aboriginal tourism and heritage sectors, including as a founding member of the South Australian Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council and former Chairperson of State Aboriginal Heritage.

His work extends internationally, notably coordinating a cultural exchange in 2019 that brought Ngarrindjeri Elders together with Lakota Elders in South Dakota, USA, fostering shared cultural ceremony and connection.

Academically, Mark holds a Graduate Diploma in Natural and Cultural Resource Management from Deakin University and authored a thesis exploring the experience of Aboriginal men in contemporary Australia. He has also contributed to national conversations on Indigenous cultural heritage, including presenting in New Zealand at the Heritage Chairs and Officials of Australia and New Zealand forum on best practice standards in Indigenous heritage management.

In 2026, Mark was appointed as a mentor with the South Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, supporting First Nations business development, and as a board member of Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism.

Above all, Mark is a family man — a father of five and grandfather to two — whose work is guided by a strong sense of responsibility to culture, community and future generations.