Tjapukai by Day - Cairns

ENJOY TJAPUKAI! WELCOME TO TJAPUKAI SPEAR THROWING TJAPUKAI DANCE THEATRE BUSH FOODS AND MEDICINE RAINFOREST FOODS DIGE SHOW DIDGERIDOO PLAYER FACE PAINTING BOOMERANG THROWING DANCE TROOP

Tjapukai - the indigenous people of the rainforest, share their culture with interactive demonstrations of hunting, didgeridoo playing, bush tucker and dance.  Modern audiovisual techniques add to the wonder of Aboriginal traditions dating back 40,000 years.   A stunning theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal Culture from the beginning of time into the future.

During the day learn how bush foods were used to create medicinal remedies, learn how to play a didgeridoo, throw a traditional boomerang and spear and much more...

Remember to check out the Tjapukai Dance troupe perform in the Rainforest Amphitheatre

Hunting & Weapons Demonstration:  A Tjapukai warrior shows how traditional tools and weapons were used 40,000 years ago.
Magic Space: Authentic stone-age artefacts once used by the Tjapukai people have been returned from the Queensland Museum to their traditional owners and are now on display in Tjapukai's museum art space.  Large murals by Tjapukai's foremost artists are visual stories of the Dreamtime and a documentary of the impact of modern man on Indigenous life during the past 120 years can be watched at your leisure. 

Creation Theatre:  Giant holograms reminiscent of the spirit world add a mesmerising quality to the live performance of the Dreamtime story of the Tjapukai people.  

Tjapukai Dance Theatre:  A traditional Tjapukai corroboree, song and dance are part of the award-winning Tjapukai show in a spectacular outdoor theatre set in a natural rainforest ampitheatre.  

Bush Foods & Medicine Demonstration:  The rainforest is a rich food source for the Tjapukai people, but many of its foods require special preparation.  Learn how the Tjapukai people treated these toxic foods to prepare them for consumption, and how the land provided medicinal remedies for everything from ailments to accidents. You will have the opportunity to touch, taste and feel bush tucker from the local area..

Spear & Boomerang Throwing Demonstration:  A Tjapukai warrior will show you how to use the traditional spear throwing instrument, a Milay, and help you master the technique of the returning boomerang.   

Complimentary Face Painting: Have your face traditionally painted in the Magic Space with natural colours of the rainforest.

"Bibunbay" Kids Program:  From didgeridoo playing to bush tucker, stone painting and boomerang throwing, the youngsters get special attention in this unique program for children to enjoy their Tjapukai cultural experience.  

Planted with native trees and fragrant native herbs, the Tjapukai Camp is bisected by a meandering creek and a wooden bridge allows guests to flow from one area to the next.

Wood smoke drifts from the burning campfire, and the sounds of the didgeridoo being played herald a universal welcome.

Session Times: 
Didgeridoo - A Journey (20 minute session)
Morning
9.15am, 11.15am
Afternoon
1.15pm, 3.15pm, 4.15pm
 
Creation Theatre (20 minute session)
9.45am, 11.45am, 1.45pm, 3.45pm
 
Dance Theatre (25 minute session)
10.15am , 12.15pm, 2.15pm
 
Didgeridoo Playing, Bush Foods and Medicines
10.45am, 12.45pm, 2.45pm
 
Boomerang Throwing and Spear Throwing
10.45-11.45pm, 12.45-1.45pm, 2.45-3.45pm (at your leisure)

BIN:A DJABI TJAPUKAI (TO REMEMBER TJAPUKAI)
Guests will have their own personal guide who will share stories from their ancestors, take them on a walking tour to discover bush foods & medicine right in the park, offer full explanations of art works and artefacts, make their own souvenir and enjoy all the current live and film presentations that are on offer. To ensure that guests receive the most personal experience possible this is for small groups of a maximum of 10 people only. Includes: Park Entry, Guide, Lunch, materials for making own souvenir to take home.

Optional Extras:
Boomerang Restaurant
Stay for morning or afternoon tea, a light snack or buffet lunch in the restaurant.  The Boomerang Restaurant is fully licensed. As of 1st April 2012, Tjapukai will be serving a complimentary drink on arrival when you make your lunch booking in Boomerang Restaurant. The drink choice includes; Local Beer, Red or White wine Soft drink or Juice.

Retail Gallery
Authentic Aboriginal products available in the Gallery. Products available include boomerangs, paintings, didgeridoos, and artifacts, and much more. The Gallery is open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and also 7 nights a week from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

Boomerang Painting
Includes: Boomerang, paints, brush, certificate, and guided session with Aboriginal artist using traditional methods.

Location:
Tjapukai is located at Caravonica, directly next door to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, 15 minutes north of Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway. Tjapukai is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Shuttle Transfers
Hotel transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches can be arranged at an additional charge.

Public Transport
The main convenient public transport is either via taxi service direct to and from Tjapukai, or by public Sunbus using Route 1X from the Cairns Central Business District City Place bus stop or Palm Cove. Costs vary, depending on the bus zone travelled.

Self Drive
Travelling from Cairns city in a northerly direction, continue following the Captain Cook Highway past the Airport. Approximately 15 minutes after leaving Cairns is the area known as Smithfield / Caravonica Lakes, easily identified by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park situated side by side, facing the main road. Take the roundabout and turn left, and you will be on the approach road to Tjapukai.

BIG 3 - (Tjapukai, Skyrail, Kuranda Train)
Package includes:
• Admission to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
• One way Skyrail from Caravonica up to Kuranda
• One way Kuranda Scenic Railway from Kuranda down to Freshwater Train Station
• One way bus transfer between Freshwater Train Station and Tjapukai (Self Drive option) OR Return hotel transfers (return transfers option)
Click here for more info on the Big 3!
PLEASE NOTE: This package must be done in this order. Tjapukai must be visited first.

Children's rate: 4-14 years