Aboriginal Tours - Cooktown

Bama Way Aboriginal Tours

The Bama Way Aboriginal Journeys is an innovative partnership which brings together three highly acclaimed Aboriginal owned and operated tours with Aboriginal tour specialist Adventure North Australia. 

You will journey along story-lines through coastal mangroves, pristine rainforest of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park and hilltop Savannah where you will spend time with the traditional custodians of the land who know its resources, its stories and its sacred places.  Become part of the story of the Bama Way.

The word 'Bama' (pronounced Bumma) is widely used throughout Far North Queensland to mean an Aboriginal person, but in both Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr tribes, the word simply means 'person' regardless of nationality or race. 

One Day Aboriginal Rock Art Tour 

 with Nugal-warra Elder, Willie Gordon

A truly unique experience, voted as one of Australia's Must-Do-Experiences.

Travel from Cairns to Cooktown enjoying the spectacular views as you fly along the coast between the World Heritage rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.  On arrival you will be met by Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon of Guurrbi Tours and driven to Hope Vale, where you will visit 6 rock art sites on his traditional country.  Here he shares with you the stories behind the art, and his relationship with the land.  The Rainbow Serpent tour tour takes you through a dramatic landscape to six rock art sites, including an ancestral Birth Cave and the Reconciliation Cave.  An estimated 30 minute bush walk on generally easy terrain.

Return to Cooktown where you have the remainder of the afternoon to explore. Visit to the world class James Cook Museum or take a stroll down the main street and discovery the history. Transfer to Cooktown airport for your return flight to Cairns along the scenic way with Hinterland Aviation. This is a truly memorable experience - you won't forget it! Please note flights depart with Hinterland Aviation, Tom McDonald Drive, Cairns General Aviation Airport.

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3 Day Amazing Bama Way Discovery Tour

Tour departs Sunday and Wednesday

Departures so far for 2011 are:-

Sunday 22nd May 2011, Wedneday 1st June 2011, Sunday 3rd July 2011, Wednesday 13th July 2011, Wednesday 20th July 2011

Wednesday 10th August, 2011, Sunday 14th August 2011, Sunday 26th September 2011 & Wednesday 12th October 2011

Cairns 7.30am – Northern Beaches 8.00am – Port Douglas 8.45am 

Prices valid to March 2012

All meals included	Adult twin	Child 3-14yrs	Single supplement
Budget Backpackers	$999.00	$899.00	$70.00
Moderate 3* Motel	$1119.00	$949.00	$180.00
Deluxe 4*Resort	$1169.00	$989.00	$190.00

Highlights & Inclusions:   Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle Small groups maximum 13 Experienced & professional Driver-guide 4WD only Bloomfield Track Spectacular Niau Waterfall 1 Hour Daintree River Cruise  1 night Cape Tribulation, 1 night Cooktown 2 Hour Coastal Beach Walk-Cultural Habitat Tours 30 minute Bloomfield Falls Tour-Walker Family Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour-Guurrbi Tours Outback of Far North Queensland All meals except Dinner Day 3

Itinerary: e

Day 1 (L,D)   Cairns, Port Douglas - Cape Tribulation includes Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours

Today, your journey of discovery begins as you travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Cooya Beach to join Kubirri Warra brothers on one of their beach, mudflat and mangrove walks.   Linc and Brandon Walker, of Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours follow the traditions of their ancestors who, for thousands of years, educated visitors about their traditional country in order to ensure the survival of their Kuku Yalanji culture. Today the brothers teach their guests how to throw a spear, hunt whilst stalking and observing wildlife and country, and how to track coastal resources. And they share some of their extensive knowledge of this special area and how they care for their country. Enjoy fresh, home-made damper, tea and coffee, before continuing to the Daintree Village, for a 1 hour crocodile and wildlife spotting river cruise on the Daintree River.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting the spectacular Niau Falls on a secluded 450acre private property, exclusive to the Bama Way.   The Niau falls are a pristine natural wonder waiting for you to discover. You will see strange, primitive plants and learn about the original French settler family. Hear of their incredible story of survival. Your guided walk will unlock the secrets of this fascinating eco-system.

Time for a swim in this magical rainforest environment, (don’t forget your swimmers).

We depart the falls and travel to Cape Tribulation, crossing the Daintree River by cable ferry, travelling through one of the most ancient ecosystems on earth, the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park. Overnight Cape Tribulation. Enjoy dinner this evening amongst the rainforest canopy and reflect on your magical day on the Bama Way.

Learn to throw a spear	Collecting bush tucker	Traditional hunting	Pristine Cooya Beach

Day 2 (B,L,D) Cape Tribulation - Cooktown includes Walker Family Bloomfield Falls Tour

A leisurely breakfast this morning or maybe a walk along the beach before we continue on The Bama Way through the heart of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park.  Travel today is on the 4wd only Bloomfield Track, where you will traverse mountain ranges and water ways through some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. At Wujal Wujal we visit the Bloomfield Falls in the company of traditional custodians from the Walker Family, who share some of their knowledge about this special and sacred place and explain why the Falls are of great cultural significance to the Yalanji people. You'll also receive a fascinating insight into the many different uses of the rainforest plants for food, medicine and ceremonial purposes.  A short walk is included on uneven ground. We continue on the track to Helenvale, where we have lunch at the Lions Den Hotel, a famous Aussie bush pub established in 1875.  After lunch visit Black Mountains, a unique geological oddity, surrounded in mystery and spoken of in ancient Aboriginal legend. Arriving in Cooktown have your camera ready with 360 degree panoramic views from Grassy Hill of Cooktown, the Coral Sea and the Endeavour River. Overnight Cooktown, dine with your travel companions this evening at a quaint local restaurant "Shadows of Mt Cook".

Day 3, (B-L)

Cooktown - Cairns includes Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour with Guurrbi Tours

This morning after breakfast we depart Cooktown for the 40 minute drive to the  Aboriginal Rock Art sites of the Nugal-warra and meet with Nugal-warra Elder, Willie Gordon of Guurrbi Tours. Willie, the traditional story-teller of the Nugal- warra clan, takes you to the Nugal rock art sites, set in stunning countryside high in the hills above Hope Vale.  You’ll visit six sites, including the Reconciliation Cave and an ancestral Birthing Site, where Willie shares the stories behind the art – stories which can only be told by Elders of the Nugal clan - and explains how the paintings speak of the essence of life and the lores of his people. With his great smile and infectious laugh, Willie gives you an amazing insight into Aboriginal society and spirituality, and has you thinking about your own relationship with the land and how the lores of his people can apply to us all. The tour includes an estimated 30-minute bush walk on generally easy terrain. Water is provided, and cameras are welcome.

Return to Cooktown for a delightful lunch at the Nature Powerhouse Museum before our departure from Cooktown following the backbone of Australia's Great Dividing Range, through the spectacular scenery of Far North Queensland's Outback. Your tour of amazing discovery comes to a close as you are transferred back to your accommodation in Port Douglas or Cairns early evening.

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