2 Day Cooktown Aboriginal Rock Art and Rainforest Private Tour
Duration:
Operated By:
Departs Cairns and Port Douglas Thursdays (March – October)
This 2 day tour highlights the diverse Aboriginal cultural and natural landscape of Tropical North Queensland. Discover the Daintree rainforest with the Kuku Yalanji people. Explore rarely seen rock art galleries at Normanby Station with Balnggarrawarra Traditional Owners, Relax in comfortable accommodation at the historic, coastal hamlet of Cooktown.
What’s included
▪ Aboriginal Dreamtime Walk (Daintree National Park)
▪ Aboriginal Rock Art Gallery Walk (Normanby Station)
▪ Mossman Gorge
▪ Cooktown Town Tour
▪ Historic Lions Den Hotel
▪ Small personalised group (Maximum 14)
▪ Informative cultural guide (Fully guided)
▪ Resort style accommodation (Sovereign Resort)
▪ Meals (2 x lunch, 1 x dinner, 1 x breakfast)
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Departing from Cairns and Port Douglas the first taste of local Aboriginal culture starts with the Kuku Yalanji people. Mossman Gorge is a stunning location with its crystal clear waters and lush tropical rainforest.Be guided by a local Indigenous guide to learn how the Kuku Yalanji connected with this tropical paradise.Explore the fauna and flora of this World Heritage listed area, learn about traditional Aboriginal food and medicine.
From Mossman Gorge the journey will continue over the mountain range and head west.Enjoy lunch along the way as the landscape dramatically changes from rainforest to savannah woodland. Enjoy a refreshing drink at the historic Lions Den Pub before arriving in the coastal, frontier town of Cooktown.
Discover the history and culture of Cooktown as you tour the town.Enjoy magnificent views to the Great Barrier Reef from Grassy Hill, learn about the challenges of Captain Cook,enjoy a delicious meal before retiring to your comfortable resort style accommodation.
Overnight Sovereign Resort, Cooktown.
Included meals (L,D)
DAY 2
From Cooktown journey further north towards Normanby Station which is the homelands of the Balnggarrawarra people.The landscape has an abundance of food, water and rock shelters which made it a perfect home for Aboriginal people during traditional times.Join Balnggarrawarra Traditional Owners on a cultural walk highlighting the traditional lives of their ancestors.Explore the mystic and spiritual rock art galleries scattered amongst tropical savannah and sandstone escarpments.Hear past stories of elders and how the people continue to remain connected to their country.
From Normanby Station the cultural experience returns to Cooktown for lunch and a visit to the James Cook Museum.Learn about the colourful history of Cooktown, admire the architecture of the majestic building.Visit the mysterious Black Mountain (Kalkajaka ) on the return journey.
This two day Aboriginal cultural journey will highlight the diversity of Aboriginal culture being hosted by two different tribal groups on their homelands.With the contrasting landscapes of the tropical rainforest of the Daintree and Savannah Woodland of Cape York this tour is truly unique and genuine.
Included meals (B,L)
SUITS
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We learned so much about so many different topics, and best of all, we had great conversations with Dillon (spelling) and his brother.
I really hope we cross paths again.



I highly recommend this tour to interested people.

Many thanks, next time we will take the full day tour.



An extremely moving and powerful day , as I was able to immerse myself in the beauty of the worlds oldest living culture by listening to stories whilst walking on country and experiencing first hand the beauty of county and connection
Walking on country with traditional owners Balnggarrawarra people and learning about seasons , food , animals , land management , connection to county , ancestors , ancient rock art galleries , bush medicine , spirituality , and survival skills was incredibly overwhelming
I cried when I entered the gallery as so special and powerful
Sharing and truth telling at its best .. past , present and future ..what an immersive experience and delivered with such pride , warmth , humbleness and respect
Truely , one of the best days of my life !
Thank you brother Pando and Rodger
Cindy -Victoria Australia


The afternoon was just as interesting. We felt very welcome at Normanby, a huge pastoral lease west of Cooktown.
After a simple but delicious lunch at the homestead with Pandos brothers Cliff and Vince and niece Kel we heard and viewed more re indigenous ranger program /contemporary land management practices on Normanby station including erosion and feral animal control, diversification and use of drones and computer software to guide mosaic burning. We both felt that by the end of the day we had a much more nuanced appreciation for the complexities and interdependence of land management practices which impacted not just locally but also the Great Barrier Reef.
Thanks so much.. would love to come back in several years to see what you have further achieved.














I was a bit concerned about walking in, but the walk was not as hard as I expected, and viewing the rock art was well worth the bush walk in and out.






