Ancient culture
Fascinating insight: local indigenous people are happy to share their culture with visitors. Picture: TTNQ
Cairns and the surrounding regions are home to a diverse range of local indigenous groups, who graciously allow visitors to get a fascinating insight into their vibrant, age-old cultures.
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have a close connection to the land and many of the region’s most popular natural jewels – they have been custodians of the land since long before white settlement and they have much to offer visitors of the region.
For the past 20 years, indigenous tourism has become a real drawcard to the north, with many cultural centres, museums, arts and craft shops and tours operating throughout the region.
One of the country’s top cultural attractions is based in Cairns.
Winner of numerous tourism awards, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre operates out of a purpose-built venue at the base of the Kuranda Range, north of Cairns.
The Tjapukai people are one of the indigenous peoples of the Cairns region, specifically the area of Smithfield and Kuranda.
The cultural centre offers visitors art, dance, music and traditional storytelling as well as great food and a natural landscape.
Other areas including Kuranda, Babinda (south of Cairns) and Mossman Gorge (just near Port Douglas), also offer educational and fun experiences with the people indigenous to the area.
Further North, the Walker family of Wujal Wujal can take visitors through their ancestral lands explaining the traditional and cultural importance of each landmark, plant and animal.
Wujal Wujal is just one of the Aboriginal townships in the Cape York and Cooktown area that are open to visitors.
There are also numerous age-old rock paintings at various sites around Cape York (pictured).
A great place to start is Laura, north of Cooktown, which also hosts a massive aboriginal dance festival every second year.
Would you like to know more about local indigenous culture, or other tourist attractions in the Cairns region? Follow the links below to find out:
>> Kuranda Tourist Information
>> Cape York and Cooktown Tourist Information
>> Mossman Tourist Information
Share this article
Secret treaures in Babinda
On first glance the small town of Babinda, south of Cairns, may to be nothing more than a sugar mill, pub and a few houses. If you look a bit deeper into the area, you will discover it contains some of the region's most special treasures. more
Cooktown history
Cooktown is famous for being home to Captain Cook on his first journey of discovery up the north eastern coast of Australia after he managed to hole his ship the HM Bark Endeavour in 1770. more
Cairns outback experiences
Better known for its stunning Great Barrier Reef and rainforests, Cairns is also the gateway to anthill country - the great Australian outback. more
