Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

This was a fairly short drive from Cairns, so we decided to stop in and take the tour. Now, normally it is set up so you go to different staged areas with presentations, and as each one ends you go to a new staged area. However, there was a large group from a Japanese school ahead of us, so we wound up skipping around and stopping at each station at different times to avoid the crowds. This was good for us as we were able to stop and talk to some of the local tribe members that run each station, and learn how to throw the spear, play the didgeridoo, etc. We enjoyed the interactive demonstrations, and were able to see all of them.
This was a couple of hours visit, so don’t plan on a whole day here but it was worth seeing. Don’t waste your time at the restaurant though, didn’t look good at all so we didn’t eat there. I wouldn’t do the night time dinner there if it is the same kind of food. The crafts store has some good deals and some overpriced, but we were able to find some nice souvenirs.

I had a great experience visiting Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park near Cairns. There are live shows of dancing, didge playing and an interesting live history lesson are mixed with experiences such as boomerang and spear throwing. The shop was terrific with heaps of indigenous art, didgeridoos and other souvenirs on sale. My partner and I created major credit card damage! An interesting and rare insight into indigenous Australian life.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is an interesting place where you can learn about some traditional aboriginal cultural aspects of the Tjapukai tribe. We experienced several different aspects of the Park for a few hours we were there.
1. Live action show about the creation story of the Earth. Interesting mix of live action and prerecorded background images.
2. Outdoor show of cultural dancing, didgeridoo playing, and interactive dancing with the crowd. This was fun for everyone but especially for those who were brought on stage to dance.
3. Lesson about herbs and native medicine. A woman with a very strong accent led this demonstration. I think this was probably the let down of the program.
4. Spear Throwing and boomerang throwing lessons. The best part of the day! The men leading this showed everyone how to throw the spear and boomerang and then everyone got a chance. Some of our group were very very good at both. Watching the boomerang make a full 360 degree turn was pretty cool.
5. Gift Shop: We definitely spent some money in here as a group. The handmade items were really beautiful.
This cultural center is located right at the base of the Skyline Cableway. So, as you come down from a lovely day at Kuranda, this is a perfect way to end the day (or start it). It’s definitely worth a trip. Both adults and kids enjoy this place.