Aboriginal Cultural Park Tjapukai, Cairns, Australia
In 1987, a small group of black and white Australians wrote a one-hour play about the ancient spirit of the barna. They used Aboriginal words and traditions, with singing and dancing. They performed the show for the first time in a small dance theatre in Kuranda, attracting more visitors than they anticipated. Since that time the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, as it is now known, has grown into a $9 million enterprise and is the largest employer of indigenous Australians in the country.
Our Aboriginal Cultural Park is now located in Smithfield at the base of the Skyrail cableway, showcases the 40,000-year-old Aboriginal culture through dance and song. It is both an entertaining spectacle, and an educational experience for everyone. The park is set on 25 acres and combines the latest in theatre and technology. There are interactive tours and activities with Aboriginal people who teach authentic traditional culture and customs.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park prides itself on its authenticity. The Tjapukai people inhabited the tropic region that extends from Cairns to Port Douglas and inland to Kuranda. Their name means ‘People of the Rainforest'. The displays and cultural dances within the park portray the Dreamtime through to the present reality of today's Tjapukai people.
What to see
- The Magic Space is a museum that houses artifacts once used by the Tjapukai people up to 40,000 years ago.
- The Creation Theatre is where live actors interact with giant holograms to retell the spiritual and traditional beliefs of the Tjapukai people. This performance, one of the most popular at the park, is told in the Tjapukai language but the audience can use personal headsets and hear the story told in any of 7 languages.
- The History Theatre is a small movie theatre playing a 20-minute presentation. This theatre recounts the history of Aboriginal people in the last 120 years. It discusses the effects of modern man's impact on the 40,000-year-old culture. This presentation can be confronting to some people whom are unaware of how the Aboriginal culture has been affected by European settlers.
- The Dance Theatre is a live performance set outdoors, celebrating traditional Tjapukai corroborees and songs.
- The Tjapukai Camp is where visitors can throw a boomerang, play a didgeridoo and sample bush foods with the Tjapukai people.
- The Gallery houses artwork, artifacts and souvenirs.
- The Boomerang Restaurant is an air-conditioned 5-star buffet restaurant, with an emphasis on native foods.
Opening Times
The Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm. They are closed only on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
For more information, Prices and booking Tjapukai by Day click HERE
Theatre presentations run many times each day, usually every hour. It's possible to spend an entire day at the cultural park by the time you see all the displays.
For more information, Prices and booking Tjapukai by Night click HERE
Tjapukai by Night plays every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday commencing at 7.30pm.
Cairns Aboriginal Cultural Park by Day
- Departs From: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches
- Duration:
The Tjapukai Gallery is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Cairns Aboriginal Cultural Park by Night | Night Fire
- Departs From: Cairns, Port Douglas, Cairns Beaches
- Duration:
7:00pm - 10:000pm
Kuranda Day Tour | Skyrail | Kuranda Train | Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
- Departs From: Cairns & Northern Beaches
- Duration:
9 hours approx.
Take a tour around the Cairns Aboriginal Cutural Park Tjapukai and learn about the oldest living culture on the planet the Aborigines. Learn to play the didgeridoo and how to throw a bommerang. Stay and have lunch or have lunch up in Kuranda Village. Ride the Skyrail cableway and the Kuranda Train
Kuranda Train, Skyrail & Tjapukai | Return Transfers from Port Douglas | R&RCON | RQST
- Departs From: Port Douglas Accommodation
- Duration:
Full day, approx 10.5 hours
Free time in Kuranda 2 hours
From Port Douglas spend the day learning about Aboriginal Culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, learn how to throw a boomerang and play the didgeridoo. Then take a trip to Kuranda Village on the Skyrail and train
