November News in Kuranda

Kuranda has been the home of the Djabugay people for tens of thousands of years. They called Kuranda, Ngunbay, which means platypus. The Djabugay people are great story tellers as that is how they have shared their culture through the generations. Kuranda Information Centre volunteer Errol Hunter is continuing that tradition by sharing the stories of his ancestors and their culture with visitors. Artist George Riley shares his Djabugay stories through his paintings which can be seen at Terra Nova Gallery. Kuranda is also home to the Pamagirri dance troupe at Rainforestation Nature Park and they have just won the Qantas Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards. Kuranda is a great place to visit in 2020 – the Year of Indigenous Tourism.

Kuranda Indigenous Culture, tours & Tourism Awards

Local Indigenous tour – Kuranda Visitor Information Centre volunteer Errol Hunter is taking his volunteer work one step further with personalised yarn-up tours showcasing his Djabugay heritage. For a small donation you will get a welcome to Djabugay country, and learn about local foods, medicines and Dreamtime stories while walking to Jumrun Creek. If you don’t want to walk, he’s happy to join you for a coffee and a chat. More about this tour here.

Dreamtime painting – Djabugay artist George Riley (Jillimablu) has painted the Dreaming story of Bulurru, the Great Spirit of the waters, sea, mountains and land. The mural called Past, Present and Future Dreaming is on display at Terra Nova Gallery. Jillimablu is the artist who painted Buda-dji, the carpet snake, on the historic Kuranda Scenic Train which looks spectacular as it winds its way through Barron Gorge.

Top tourism award – More than 2.9 million people have seen the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at Rainforestation Nature Park over the past 26 years to learn more about Indigenous culture. A Dreamtime Walk can be done in addition to the Pamagirri Dance Show and the two experiences have just won the highly contended Qantas Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards. Read more about their award here.

Discover the culture of the rainforest Aboriginal people on weekends at the Original Kuranda Rainforest Markets. The Mayi Wunba Dance Group share stories of hunting and gathering wild honey through dance.

News From Around The Village

Refresh with a tonic at Jungle Juice Kuranda in the Original Rainforest Markets is brewing its own Sweet Leaf kombucha with locally grown ginger and turmeric for a tasty health kick. Top up your friendly bacteria and enzyme levels with the effervescent living probiotic health tonic when you call in or perhaps try a cup of Jungle Chai, which is hand crafted in Kuranda with Australian pesticide-free black tea and certified organic spices.

Check out Costa the Garden Gnome’s adventures in Kuranda including exploring the rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ranger Mike.

Buy a coffee in Kuranda on December 14 at participating Kuranda cafes and a percentage will go to Cancer Queensland thanks to an initiative by Kuranda Information Centre volunteer Jennifer Rooks. Check out her story here.

Unwind before the Christmas rush in a luxurious self-contained retreat hidden in the rainforest. Platypus Springs is a secluded getaway for two on a 100-acre property.

Get ready for a long hot summer with cool and comfortable eco-fibre clothing from Tantrika. The natural hemp, bamboo and organic cotton garments make a sustainable fashion statement. Check out what’s in store now!

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