Aboriginal Tours - Cooktown
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1 Day Aboriginal Rock Art Tour |
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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. The Bama Way links three individual owned and operated Aboriginal Tours. Kuku Yulanji Cultural Habitat Tours, Cooya Beach - The Walker Family Tours, Wujal Wujal and Guurrbi Tours with Aboriginal Elder Willie Gordon, Hope Vale, North of Cooktown. Adventure North Australia is proud to be part of The Bama Way and have linked the three Aboriginal tours with an experienced driver-guide. Travel by air-conditioned 4wd vehicle from Cairns, Port Douglas north to Cooktown. – You will journey along story-lines through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest and hilltop Savannah. We want to share some of these stories with you, to give you a greater understanding of our area’s rich Aboriginal history and culture, and to add to your enjoyment whilst exploring our beautiful corner of Tropical North Queensland, you’ll learn so much more from the three Aboriginal-owned and operated tours. Please do come. Become part of the story! |
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One Day Fly-Fly Aboriginal Rock Art Tour with Nugal Warra Elder, Willie Gordon A truly unique experience, voted as one of Australia's Must-Do-Experiences.
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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.
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2 Day Amazing Bama Way Discovery Tour
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Day 1 (L& D) Travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Cooya Beach where it’s time to get native, join the Kubirri Warra brothers on one of their beach, mudflat and mangrove walks! Linc and Brandon Walker 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. Enjoy fresh homemade damper, tea/coffee as they share some of their extensive knowledge of this special area and how they care for their country. We continue along the Daintree Coast where we cross over the mighty Daintree River by cable ferry. This great serpent of water is a special Aboriginal meeting and trading place. Our journey takes us through Cape Tribulation where we will lunch at Coconut Beach Resort.
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Continuing into the World Heritage Daintree National Park, we cross rivers and mountain ranges as we travel the famous 4WD only Bloomfield Track. At Wujal Wujal we join the Walker Family, a close-knit group of wonderfully warm and friendly people, who are members of the Kuku Yalanji tribe and have lived in this area for tens of thousand of years. Their traditional lands are part of the beautiful World Heritage rainforest area, and encompass the Bloomfield Falls, after which Wujal Wujal is named. The Walkers will take you on a bush walk with a difference, giving you the opportunity to listen and talk to the traditional custodians of the area, and receive a fascinating insight into the history and the many different uses of plant species for food, medicine and ceremonial purposes. This is an opportunity to see the rainforest through their eyes, and to learn about the cultural significance of this area. The Walkers share some of their knowledge about this special place which is of great cultural significance to the Yalanji people. Includes a short walk on uneven ground.
At the end of the track, there is time for a cold beer at a famous Aussie pub, The lions Den Hotel. One of Far North Queensland’s oldest established running bush pubs. We arrive in Cooktown early evening for your overnight stay. Enjoy dinner with your travelling companions this evening. Day 2 (B) An early breakfast this morning before the 45 minute drive north towards Hope Vale to meet with Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon to visit his ancestral rock art sites, set in the stunning countryside high in the hills above Hope Vale. Here Willie shares the stories behind the art, stories which can only be told by Elders of the Nugal clan. The Rainbow Serpent Rock Art tour takes you through a dramatic landscape to six rock art sites, including an ancestral Birth Cave and the Reconciliation Cave. Willie explains how the paintings speak of the essence of life and the lores of his people. Includes an estimated 30 minute bush walk on generally easy terrain. Covered walking shoes MUST be worn. After your return to Cooktown you will have free time to explore. This is a town rich in history...rich in nature..rich in spirirt. Our return yourney will follow the backbone of Australia;s Great Dividing Range. You will travel through the spectacular scenery of Far North Queensland's Outback, and the diverse landscape of the Palmer River Goldfield region. Your Aboriginal tour of amazing discovery will come to a close as you are transferred to your accommodation.
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