Location and Accessibility
HistoryIn 1987, a cross-cultural group of entertainers created Australia's first Aboriginal dance theatre in the small village of Kuranda, near Cairns.
Today, Tjapukai's show business has become the most awarded Aboriginal cultural attraction in Australia and is credited with enhancing reconciliation locally, nationally and internationally. Tjapukai showcases the culture of the rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland. Situated on 25 acres of land owned by the Tjapukai people at Caravonica, north of Cairns, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a stunning theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal culture from the beginning of time into the future. Seven separate arenas allow visitors to experience every facet of the rainforest people's culture - from the provocative History Theatre to the inspiring Creation Theatre, and the original Dance Theatre and the interactive Camp Village, where visitors can learn didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing. In July 1998, Australian PM John Howard presented the new generation Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park at Smithfield - now the largest private employer of Aboriginal Australians - with a plaque celebrating their achievement as Australia's foremost cultural ambassadors. Tjapukai's multi-award winning indigenous business is an incredible success story, and the flagship for marketing Australia's indigenous culture internationally. |
Located next to the bottom station of the Kuranda Sky Rail is Tjkapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. The park is only a short walk or roll. Once in side the park the layout of the 25 acres is relatively flat with all attractions being accessible within the park. The distances between attractions is significant so additional time should be allowed for. All paths are gravel with slight inclines and all paths are wide and easily negotiated. The spear and boomerang throwing are also accessible although they are conducted in wide open grassed areas. The underlaying surface is hard but a 50 metre traverse across the grass has to be negotiated to participate. Tjapukai is best combined with a trip on the skyrail to view the rainforest as the two attractions can easily fill in an entire day.
Operating out of a hastily renovated shopping centre basement, Tjapukai Dance Theatre offered the first ever opportunity for tourist visitors to experience and interact with Australia's 40,000 year old culture.