Learn about authentic Aboriginal culture!

Have you ever thrown a boomerang and watched it come back...sampled bush food...used a woomera to launch a spear...or spoken with an indigenous Australian about their rich culture? At Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, you can do all that and more within a magnificent award-winning park situated at the foot of the Barron Gorge National Park - the traditional home of the Tjapukai people.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal culture with the aid of the most modern technology. Our park features three theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp that gives visitors a complete and meaningful glimpse of a rich and ancient culture.

Park Schedule

9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily

Attractions

Your ticket grants you access to all of the following attractions!

History Theatre

-Show Times: 9:15 am - 4:45 pm: Every half hour
-Duration: 20 minutes

A state of the art projector and cinema size screen enhance a 20 minute audio visual presentation of the history of the Tjapukai since the coming of the white man 120 years ago. The storyline retells the effects of modern man's impact on a 40,000 year old culture, detailing the consequences of the fusion of two differing cultures and exploring the impact on tribal cultures today. The presentation ends with video portraits of Tjapukai individuals, focusing on their hopes and aspirations for the future.

Creation Theatre

-Show Times: 9:45 am, 11:45 am, 1:45 pm & 3:45 pm
-Duration: 20 minutes

The Creation Theatre is a blend of culture and technology. Using the latest in illusion theatrics and technology, the story of the creation of the world according to the spiritual and traditional beliefs of Tjapukai mythology is presented. Guests hear the story in the original Tjapukai language, overlaid with a verbatim translation in the language of their choice (presently English, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Mandarin, Italian and Spanish). The legend reflects the Djabugay people's beliefs concerning the duality of the universe. In the beginning of the story, a cassowary egg forms, growing to a size of 2 meters. Bolts of lightning appear and form around the egg, forcing it to break apart. The twin elements that create the universe come out of the egg - the Wet (Damarri), the Dry (Guyala), and all life forms that relate to these twin spheres - birds, lizards, animals etc.

Dance Theatre

-Show Times: 10:15 am, 12:15 pm & 2:15 pm
-Duration: 25 minutes

The Dance Theatre is held in the open air at the base of the rainforest hills, reached by traversing the 100 meter bridge across the Caravonica Lakes. Here in a 25 minute live presentation, guests are invited into the everyday life of the Tjapukai, the People of the Rainforest. To the resonant sound of the didgeridoo, Tjapukai actors take to the stage and introduce their tribal totems, ancient cultural dress, celebration dances, corroborees and survival skills. One of the many highlights of the performance is making grass blaze with two simple fire sticks. Tjapukai's decade old anthem, "Proud to Be...Aborigine," closes the show as the actors thank the audience for sharing their culture and urge them to unite with a respect for all peoples.

The Magic Space

-Open all day

The Magic Space is a museum gallery of modern and ancient artworks. Ten large mural paintings have been commissioned, each depicting a Tjapukai Dreamtime legend. Three large display cases of Tjapukai artifacts, formerly housed in the Queensland State Museum, have been returned to the bama (the people) to be housed in the Magic Space.

Didgeridoo Show

-Show Times: 10:45 am, 12:45 pm, 2:45 pm & 4:15 pm

People say their soul connects with the sound of a didgeridoo more than any other instrument they've ever heard. It's an elemental vibration that's nearly 50,000 years old and, in the wonderful hands of Tjapukai's virtuoso didgeridoo players, an experience you'll never forget. See how the musicians coax out the sounds of dingoes, birds, and learn the secrets of the circular breathing technique you will need to master to be a true didge player!

Bush Foods and Medicine Show

-Show Times: 10:45 am, 12:45 pm, 2:45 pm & 4:15 pm

How did the people of the rainforest survive without a chemist shop (pharmacy) down the road? Very well, thank you! You'll be amazed at the depth of knowledge and understanding of the natural world revealed in Tjapukai's Bush Foods & Medicine Show. Learn about the edible rainforest fruits, how the Tjapukai people treated many toxic foods to prepare them for consumption, and how the mother land provided medicinal remedies for everything from ailments to accidents.

Spear and Boomerang Throwing

-Show Times: 10:45-11:45 am, 12:45-1:45 pm, 2:45-3:45 pm & 4:45-5:00 pm

This is a must! The Tjapukai used many kinds of boomerangs (a club boomerang used for hunting, a hook boomerang used in tribal warfare, and a special cross boomerang useful for hunting birds). However, there's only one traditional returning boomerang and it's the one you will use when you step up to the mound on the boomerang field. Perfect your style, and then buy your own from the Retail Gallery!

Tour does not include hotel pickups or drop offs, though shuttle service may be available at lodging from Cairns through to the northern beaches and Port Douglass. Details will be on your E-Ticket. Rates are per person in US dollars and include tax. Child rates apply to ages 4 through 14. Children ages 3 and under are free. Please reserve online or call us toll-free at 800-610-1096.