TOUR INFORMATION
Your Cultural Experience with Mija Aboriginal Tours, Innisfail:
Join us on a gentle walk as we share with you our Rainforest tucker, medicines and tools from our natural lifestyle and our ancient culture…
On your arrival to Warrina Lakes Botanical Gardens, you will be welcomed by an Indigenous Tour Guide and asked to come, share and experience traditional Aboriginal Culture with the ‘Mandubarra’ rainforest / saltwater people from the Innisfail region. You will get an Indigenous perspective of Traditional Aboriginal Culture, from an Aboriginal tour guide, into how ‘Mandubarra’ people thrived in the tropics of Far North Queensland.
Learn about our traditional history from the Innisfail region and find out how we practiced sustainability, which made it possible for generations of ‘Mandubarra’ people to co-exist within the natural environment of the tropical rainforest.
ACTIVITIES
INTERACTIVE ABORIGINAL GUIDED TOUR
An interactive Aboriginal experience for all visitors that offers a guided walk with interpretation of rainforest country that is the traditional home of the ‘Mandubarra’ people. The Davidson Plum – found in most parts of Mandubarra country on the fringes and in the rainforests provides us with delicious food. These days the Plum is quite popular among Australian dishes in restaurants all over.
CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
Share the traditional knowledge stories of the ‘Mandubarra’ people and learn how we access the natural resources, that sustained us for tens of thousands of years. Learn how we use native flora and fauna species for medicine, food, tools and weapons. Here is the Alexander Palm we call the ‘bush cabbage’ for it’s ‘salad like’ uses – good for gut health and super tasty.
PROVEN HISTORIC SUSTAINABILITY SUCCESS.
The Pandanus tree in full fruit here, a most useful plant in our area. We use all parts of the Pandanus for a variety of things: the strong leaves can be woven into jewellery, fish traps, Dillybags (baskets) , fish traps and so on. The plant also provides good shelter for small birds and amphibians to supply us with proteins.
FOOD – MEDICINES – TOOLS.
Mangroves – Mangroves are some of the most important plants for Mandubarra people acting as the filter from the rainforest to sift out anomalies that come with heavy rainfall – and as the nursery to the marine life on the Great Barrier Reef. Mangroves are quite simply irreplaceable and integral to the sustainability of our beautiful area. Full of life below and above the waterline, we have so much more to explore with you regarding these remarkable plants.
LEARNING
Learn how we make use of our natural land and sea environment and what traditional food resources the land and sea provides for ‘Mandubarra’ people.
Get an understanding of how we are so much more different from land locked, bush and desert Aboriginal people.
Learn some traditional ‘Mandubarra’ words that you can practice saying when you go home and reflect on the unique experience you had with your Aboriginal guide.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Innisfail is approximately 85 km south of Cairns – about an hours drive via spectacular scenery, with lots of stops for natural beauty and swimming holes along the way. Nestled in World Heritage Rainforest. There are some of the world’s most beautiful refreshing rainforest creeks / streams to bathe in on a tropical summers day, fruit farms to visit along your adventure. We can’t wait to share our paradise with you…
The Saltwater Turtle
A beautiful sea creature that plays a very important role in our Culture… this is an excellent example of how we have been using ‘sustainable caring for land and sea country methods‘ for generations, long before the Europeans occupied Australia. We use all parts of the sea turtle for important Cultural ceremonies and special occasions. Nothing goes to waste and we only take what we need to ensure their populations are available for generations to come.
*ALL pics of paintings are painted by ‘Iljiddimor’ and are subject to copyright ©.
LOCATION
Warrina Lakes Botanical Gardens, Innisfail
I hour Aboriginal guided walk with Cultural interpretation of Rainforest Environment
FACILITIES
Large covered area with seating, small covered areas with seating, toilets, water, BBQ facilities, children’s playground, large parking area, turning circle for buses, paved walkway, wheelchair friendly.
TOUR PRICES P/P
Adult – $85
Child – $45
DAYS & TIME OF OPERATION
Twice daily 7 days a week.
10.30am – 11.30am &
12.30pm – 1.30pm
Available for private charters and small group bookings on request – we look forward to hearing from you!
WET SEASON & CHRISTMAS PERIOD
Tour will not operate in heavy rain. Full refund available. Tours will be closed over the Christmas period.
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A Mija Aboriginal Tour Guide will meet and greet customers at Main Building Warrina Lakes Botanical Gardens