Australian travellers are becoming increasingly interested in learning about the ancient wisdom of Indigenous culture. Now you can experience the oldest living culture in the world with these fantastic tours in Tropical North Queensland.
Tropical North Queensland, the only region with two distinct Indigenous cultures, the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander people, is home to multiple tours and events showcasing diverse Indigenous culture and language groups.
“Our region has authentic cultural experiences showcasing stories around rock art, bush tucker and medicine, art, stargazing, hot springs and gorges,” said Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen.
“Several of these tours, including a Great Barrier Reef experience, an island walk and a day trip to the Torres Strait, can be experienced from our city centre.”
With a plethora of accommodation available in Cairns, ranging from camping to 5-star hotels, there is an option for everyone.
Read: Three-day self-drive itinerary on the stunning Tablelands
Wunyami Cultural Walking Tour
The Wunyami Cultural Walking Tour, launched at the end of April, offers a guided journey around Wunyami (Green Island), an ancient coral cay with an equally fascinating ancient cultural history. During this one-hour tour, led by Indigenous guides, guests will hear how the island is connected to the ancient journey of two ancestoral beings, learn about the cultural ceremonies of the GuruGulu Gungganji and Gimuy Yidinji people and discover the connectivity of this iconic island to the ancient seascape. To get to Green Island, Great Adventures offers two 45-minute boat departures daily from Cairns.
Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours
For an authentic experience with a timeless culture, take a journey across the Trinity Inlet and through the mangroves to a lesser-known part of Cairns. Here, on Mandingalbay Yindinji land, be welcomed to country with a cleansing smoking ceremony followed by a guided walk with Indigenous rangers to discover their bush supermarket and pharmacy. The three-hour Guided Eco Cultural Tour explores ancient rainforest, coastal and estuarine landscapes and the animals that call these habitats home. For something different, large groups are able to participate in a Deadly Dinner or overnight stays.
Strait Experience – A Strait Day
Few people have the privilege of seeing the remote paradise of the Torres Strait Islands. Fraser Nai, traditional owner of Yorke (Masig) Island, and John Palmer have joined forces to create an experience that allows people to visit this special part of Australia in an attainable way. Recently launched in June, Strait Experience’s one-day tour, A Strait Day, allows you to explore two of the more populated islands, Thursday (Waiben) and Horn (Ngarupai), as well as enjoy a scenic flight along the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula, the tip of Cape York and the southern islands of the Torres Strait. The tour departs from Cairns Airport on Skytrans at 7:30am and returns at 6:15pm on the first Saturday of each month (April to September).
Read: Aussie destination has its Indigenous name restored
Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel
Add an unforgettable cultural spin to your Great Barrier Reef experience with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel, the only cultural reef experience in Tropical North Queensland. Boarding from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, you’ll enjoy five hours at sea, be welcomed to country by Indigenous sea rangers and hear the creation story of the Great Barrier Reef. Gain a deeper understanding of how generations of saltwater people have interacted with the reef while snorkelling with the colourful marine life of the world’s largest and most diverse reef.
Down Under Tours – Aboriginal Day Tours
The Daintree Dreaming program with Down Under Tours is an exclusive cultural journey from Cairns to the coast and rainforest of the Daintree, where you’ll experience nature and ancient culture with your choice of Aboriginal day tours. Each guest experiences the Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walk, then chooses either a Janbal Gallery painting class or traditional fishing with Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours.
Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout
The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience is part of the immersive rainforest experience at Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda, just 30 minutes from Cairns City. Join a Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout Aboriginal guide to discover the connection with the oldest surviving rainforest in the world, including traditions from the spiritual transition into manhood, totems and body painting. Then embark on a guided walk to learn about survival in the rainforest, the plants, fruits and berries used as bush tucker and remedies, as well as traditional shelters and artefacts.
Read: Unexpected rainforest experiences in North Queensland
UMI Arts – Cairns Indigenous Art Centre
UMI Arts is a not-for-profit hub for regional First Nations artists, offering a place for up-and-coming artists to showcase their work while nurturing talent and upskilling artists through a series of workshops. Visit the UMI Arts Cairns Indigenous Art Centre in Manoora between November and February for their upcoming Summer Show exhibition featuring new and experimental works inspired by the energy of the wet tropics.
For more information go to cairnsgreatbarrierreef.com
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