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Journey to the Atherton Tablelands on a full-day tour to discover the Aboriginal Culture of the Yidinji and Mbabaram peoples and their traditional homelands.

Highlights

• Discover the homelands of the Bundaburra-Yidinji Clan at the Cathedral Fig Tree
• Learn about the traditional diets of the Yidinji people at Lake Barrine
• See the giant Kauri Pines and learn about the history of timber harvesting
• Explore the bushland region of the Mbabaram people at Watsonville Culture Park
• Try your hand at using a traditional spear-thrower and see Aboriginal art

Description

Journey from the ancient rainforests to the rugged mining frontiers of the western bushlands on this immersive cultural tour. You'll gain a powerful understanding of the Atherton Tablelands' rich pre- and post-settlement history and its lasting impact on the local Aboriginal communities. What makes this tour truly special is the storyteller: a proud descendant of the Yidinji and Mbabaram peoples, sharing lived histories passed down through generations. Our guides are respected members of local Aboriginal families with an unbroken connection to Country spanning thousands of years. With deep cultural knowledge and a genuine passion for sharing, your guide will tailor the experience to suit your interests. Begin with a pick-up from your Cairns accommodation before traveling up the scenic Gillies Range Rd, famous for its 263 corners, and 800 m elevation change in 19km of road. The journey will take a little over an hour before reaching our first destination, the 500yr old Cathedral Fig Tree, located in the heart of Yidinji Country. You will view a cultural presentation with a display of traditional tools and weapons once used by the Yidinji people and learn about the cultural borders of local clans and tribes still honoured today. As you take a short 100m walk in to view the fig tree, your guide will explain the cultural significance of the area. You will also learn about the early settlement history, and it’s impacts on the rainforest, local fauna, and the Indigenous culture. Your next destination is Lake Barrine where we take a 150m walk to view two ancient Kauri Pines, believed to be more than 1000yrs old. Here, your guide will explain the recent timber harvesting history, and how it has resulted in only 10% of the rainforest remaining today. We then make our way out of the rainforest are and travel towards the open woodlands of Mbabaram Country. Along the way, we will make a brief stop at the Hastie’s Swamp bird-hide, where you will get the chance to view many species of aquatic bird life, as well as learn about the cultural significance of the Swamp as an important meeting area for neighbouring tribes. Our last stop is the Watsonville Culture Park, an exclusive piece of bushland where the local Mbabaram people preserve and teach their cultural knowledge. Here you will enjoy a picnic lunch before taking a 300m walk in the nearby bushland to view the many types of plants and trees used in traditional bushcraft, foods, and medicines. We finish off our adventure with some spear throwing practice using a traditional woomera (spear-thrower) before beginning our 2-hour trip back to Cairns to return you to your accommodation.

Includes

Transfers from Cairns city accommodations Small rainforest and bush walks Local Aboriginal guide Small group experience Photo opportunities Bird-viewing opportunity Spear-throwing activity Didgeridoo demonstration Picnic lunch Cultural heritage & artefacts display

Important Information

• Toilets are available at each location except the Cathedral Fig Tree.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund