indigenous experiences queensland · their dishes. daintree wellness spa ‘wawu-karrba’ offers...
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INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Gold Coast, QueenslandLocated on the southern Gold Coast, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of the spellbinding Aboriginal daily dance performances and have their photo taken with the dancers after the performance. The rich culture of Aboriginal heritage is celebrated every day in this spectacular show featuring dances, stories and the distinctive rhythms of the didgeridoo.
Visitors can also get close to koalas, spot some of the biggest saltwater crocodiles in Australia, see a Tasmanian devil and hand feed the friendly kangaroos.
How to get there:Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is 20 minutes south of Surfers Paradise, five minutes north of Gold Coast Airport and just one hour south of Brisbane via the M1.
T: 1300 886 511 or 07 5534 0873
W: www.cws.org.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa Daintree, QueenslandThe Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa is set in a lush valley amongst 30 acres of ancient rainforest on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park.
Guests of the Lodge have the opportunity to share in the world’s oldest continuous culture through authentic, ethical and inspiring personal experiences with the Kuku Yalanji Rainforest Aboriginal people.
Part of this experience is an Aboriginal Art and Culture workshop, where visitors can take a full or half day tour to learn how to throw a spear whilst hunting along the coast, observing local wildlife and creating their own artwork. The guided Rainforest Walk and 4WD Safari showcase exciting insights into Aboriginal life.
Julaymba Restaurant offers some innovative Australian cuisine, infusing native ingredients from the rainforest into their dishes. Daintree Wellness Spa ‘Wawu-Karrba’ offers massage experiences featuring rainforest ingredients.
All Daintree Lodge and Spa experiences are in harmony with nature, in the essence of nurture and in respect of culture.
How to get there:The Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa is a 90-minute scenic coastal drive north of Cairns International Airport.
T: 07 4098 6100
W: www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Guurrbi Tours - Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour Cairns, QueenslandWillie Gordon is a Nugal-warra Elder and story keeper who takes guests through a dramatic landscape to six rock art sites, including the Rainbow Serpent Cave and an ancestral Birth Site where his grandfather were born.
On this magical journey of story and Dreaming, birthing and beginning, Willie shares the stories behind the art and gives amazing insight into Aboriginal society and spirituality.
How to get there:Cooktown is a short flight from Cairns. Tour options which pick up and drop off from Cooktown accommodation are available. Alternatively self drive to the site which is located 45 minutes from Cooktown.
T: 07 4034 5020
W: www.guurrbitours.com
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Ingan Tours - Spirit of the Rainforest Tour Far North QueenslandOn these walking and kayaking tours through awe-inspiring rainforest in the World Heritage listed wet tropics of Far North Queensland guests experience the unique culture of Rainforest Aboriginal people.
The amazing tours provide an opportunity to gain a unique insight into the sacred values and time-honoured ancestral knowledge of the local Jirrbal Aboriginal people.
Jirrbal Elder, Ernie Grant and his family invite guests to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors amongst the beautiful rainforest.
The walking tour includes a five-hour walk through the pristine rainforest following alongside crystal clear creeks to the beautiful Echo Creek Falls. The kayak tour is a great way to experience soft adventure in the Cassowary Coast Region whilst paddling down the beautifully created tunnels of Bulgan Creek.
Jirrbal guides offer interpretative information on the flora and fauna of the rainforest including the seasonal collection of plants and animals, giving an understanding of how the rainforest sustains life.
How to get there:Situated 2.5 hours south of Cairns, 45 minutes south of Mission Beach and half way between Cairns and Townsville. Greyhound Coach Services run ex Cairns or Townsville to Mission Beach or Tully.
T: 07 4068 0189
W: www.ingan.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours Cooya Beach, QueenslandBrothers, Linc and Brandon Walker follow the traditions of their ancestors by educating visitors about their traditional country on the far north east coast of Australia.
Guests can join one of the Kubirri Warra brothers on their beach, mudflat and mangrove walk. Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu) is a special place and is a traditional fishing ground of the Kuku Yalanji Bama. The unique coastal location has three diverse ecosystems - beach, mangroves and coastal reef – connected to each other by the ever-changing mudflats and tidal lagoons.
The brothers teach visitors how to throw a spear whilst stalking and observing wildlife, how to find plants used for food and medicine and share some of their extensive knowledge of this special area.
How to get there:Cooya Beach is near Port Douglas, just a one-hour drive north of Cairns.
T: 07 4098 3437
W: www.kycht.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Mossman Gorge Centre Mossman, QueenslandAt Mossman Gorge visitors experience the pristine waterfalls, stunning mountains and vivid flora and fauna of the Daintree World Heritage Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide.
Enchanting stories and rich heritage of this significant and spectacular landscape bring the lives, culture and beliefs of the local Kuku Yalanji community to life and make guests experience their connection to the natural environment first hand.
Visitors can book in to one of the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks through stunning rainforest to see the humpies (traditional huts) and learn about ancient culture and traditions. The experienced guides share their Dreamtime legends and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest.
Tours start at the Mossman Gorge Centre with an eco-friendly shuttle bus to transport visitors into the heart of the Gorge where they can capture the beauty of this special place and create memories that will last a lifetime.
How to get there:Mossman Gorge is 80 kilometres north of Cairns and 15 kilometres north of Port Douglas on the Captain Cook Highway. Self drive and numerous tours operate from both Cairns and Port Douglas.
T: 07 4099 7000
W: www.mossmangorge.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda, QueenslandRainforestation Nature Park is a 100-acre tourist attraction set in the midst of World Heritage rainforest, locally owned and operated by the Woodward family. Visitors can watch a traditional dance performance and enjoy a guided Dreamtime walk for an insight into local culture and traditions.
Rainforestation offers three unique experiences: the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, Army Duck Rainforest tours, and the Koala and Wildlife Park. During the interactive Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience visitors watch traditional dance performances, learn about Indigenous culture and enjoy a Dreamtime Walk which includes boomerang and spear throwing and didgeridoo playing.
The park is home to many Australian species such as crocodiles, wombats, dingoes, snakes, lizards, and the cassowary.
The Colonial and Outback restaurants offer a diverse menu, with The Tropical Treats Juice Bar the place to go for fruits, ice creams and fresh juices.
How to get there:Cairns is a short two-hour flight from Brisbane (with direct flights from many other capital cities) and Kuranda is a half hour drive from Cairns. Tour options, which pick up and drop off from Cairns accommodation, are also available.
T: 07 4085 5008
W: www.rainforest.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Stradbroke Island Holidays Stradbroke Island, QueenslandNorth Stradbroke Island is rich in Aboriginal tradition and guided tours provide a fascinating insight into local culture as well as uncovering the diversity and beauty of the region.
Also known as Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island is one the world’s largest sand islands and is the home of the Quandamooka people. It is famous for its white sandy beaches, magnificent inland lakes, hidden waterways and scenic walks.
Local Aboriginal guides provide a fascinating insight into their rich heritage, which is still evident on the island today. Visitors can take the spectacular North Gorge Walk for breath taking views of Main Beach - an amazing vantage point to spot wildlife with dolphins, turtles and manta rays often sighted from the headlands.
How to get there:Visitors can make their own arrangements from Brisbane or Gold Coast to Cleveland either by train or special transfers. Transport can be organised by Stradbroke Island Holidays at an extra cost. The Stradbroke Ferries Fast Passenger Ferry departs from Emmett Drive, Cleveland.
T: 07 3821 0266
W: www.stradbrokeholidays.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
BAMA WAY ABORIGINAL JOURNEYS (Adventure North Australia) Tropical North QueenslandTravel The Bama Way and experience Tropical North Queensland through the eyes of the people who have been its custodians for tens of thousands of years.
The Bama Way is an Aboriginal journey from Cairns to north of Cooktown, following story lines through the two Aboriginal nations of the Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr peoples. The Bama Way links three Aboriginal-owned tours operated by the traditional custodians of the local area.
Each tour provides a unique experience, which will teach travellers about different facets of Aboriginal culture. Guests can drive, fly or take a guided tour with an experienced guide. Tours include:
GUURRBI TOURS - in the stunning countryside high in the hills above Cooktown, Nugal-warra elder and storyteller, Willie Gordon will take visitors to his ancestral rock art sites, sharing his culture and spirituality through the cave paintings. Now listed as ‘One of Australia’s Ultimate Must-Do Experiences’.
WALKER FAMILY TOURS - at Bloomfield Falls, the warm and friendly rainforest women of Walker Family Tours take visitors on a bush walk with a difference and share some of their special stories.
KUKU YALANJI CULTURAL HABITAT TOURS - brothers, Linc and Brandon Walker follow the traditions of their ancestors by sharing insights about their traditional country on the Far North East coast of Australia. It is a great opportunity to learn about bush tucker and medicine as they share their extensive traditional and local knowledge.
How to get there:Flights to Cairns depart daily from Brisbane and take two hours. Many other capital cities also fly directly to Cairns.
T: 07 4028 3376
W: www.bamaway.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Cairns, QueenslandTjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a multi-award winning attraction that offers a range of fun and interactive cultural experiences, including dance theatres, a restaurant, cultural village and a retail gallery housing authentic art and artefacts.
The park showcases the diversity of Australia’s rich and Indigenous cultures through two separate day and night experiences, each distinctly different.
By day, guests learn to play the didgeridoo, throw a traditional boomerang or spear, and gain an insight into how bush foods were used to create medicinal remedies. They can enjoy a range of traditional dance performances and indulge in Tjapukai’s new delicious buffet menu infused with native spices and bush foods.
Tjapukai by night is an all-inclusive dinner show that begins with a welcome drink on arrival. The show is jam-packed with music and dance as guests feast on modern cuisine with hints of native foods. Visitors participate in a traditional fire making ceremony as one of the world’s oldest living cultures is brought to life through a series of awe-inspiring performances.
How to get there:From Cairns, Tjapukai is a 15-minute drive north on the Captain Cook Highway and a one-minute walk from Skyrail Caravonica Station.
T: 07 4042 9999
W: www.tjapukai.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES QUEENSLAND
Walkabout Cultural Adventures Daintree, QueenslandThere is no better way to experience the Daintree Rainforest than with a personal tour guided by Juan Walker. Juan is a young Kuku Yalanji man from the Daintree Mossman area who shares his local bush knowledge and Aboriginal history with visitors. Providing a wonderful insight into the marine life along the spectacular coastline of the Port Douglas area, he shows visitors the waterfalls and hidden swimming spots of the rainforest.
Having trained at the Daintree Eco Lodge before setting up his own business, Juan is a professional tour operator of the highest standards. He now takes small groups of visitors on exclusive personalised tours.
On the tour, his guests visit the Daintree Rainforest, see wildlife, throw spears and taste bush tucker whilst seeing all of the best attractions of the region. By keeping groups small, all participants enjoy a uniquely personal and intimate experience.
How to get there:Flights to Cairns depart daily from Brisbane and take two hours. Many other capital cities also fly directly to Cairns.
T: 0429 478 206
W: www.walkaboutadventures.com.au
From the breathtaking Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, visitors can enjoy the many unique Australian Indigenous experiences that Queensland has to offer.