The Diverse Indigenous Culture of Australia's Far North

The extraordinary and diverse Indigenous culture of Australia's Far North is an insight into a world of special people, inextricably linked to their ancient land. With history and culture extending back tens of thousands of years, there are rich experiences to be gleaned from the creative ancestors of the Dreamtime – many of whom lived beneath the great rainforest canopy in semi-permanent dwellings. The wet season of Tropical North Queensland – which can bring driving rain for weeks at a time – largely determined the manner in which the Indigenous ancestors lived, how they cooked and cured food, how they hunted and gathered and is often a clue to the spirit stories and legends spoken of in their rock art.

The Kuku Yalanji have inhabited their tribal lands – stretching from Cooktown in the north, to Port Douglas in the south and near Chillagoe in the west – for thousands of years. Subsisting on a wealth of resources from riverine, range, coastal and rainforest territories, the Kuku Yalanji were strong hunter / gatherer communities, whose economies were decimated by 1895. Today, most of the tribe live in Mossman Gorge, many proud to share their heritage and cultural mores.

The Tjapukai (Djabugay) people were largely rainforest dwellers whose tribal lands extended from the Barron River – south of Mareeba to Kuranda – and from Port Douglas west toward Mareeba. Settlers took over many of the traditional hunting and gathering grounds in the 1880s, causing disharmony and bloodshed, resulting in segregation and critically, an inability to hunt and fish. This disharmony lasted for decades and is still felt by many traditional owners today; however, we have – as a Nation – began to make amends. As of 2004, the Tjapukai were given native title and today, thrive once again. Importantly, the Tjapukai relive their stories in dance and theatrical performances that are both deeply moving and informative.

Everything Cairns offers a range of Indigenous cultural experiences that includes learning about bush tucker and plant identification, hearing dreaming stories and rock art explained by Indigenous elders, performances and interactive activities. Select from Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Rainforest Dining, Green Island & Aboriginal Cultural Park Combo, Daintree Dreaming, or Kuranda & Tjapukai Experience, to encounter a full range of Indigenous Far North cultural experiences that are so important to our Australia's history.