Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park 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 Cultural Park, as it is now known, has grown into a $9 million enterprise and is the largest employer of indigenous Australians in the country.
Tjapukai Tours Departing From Cairns
| Tour Companies | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Overview | Tour Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tjapukai Cultural Park by Day | $55.00 | $28.50 | Includes full access to Tjapukai Cultural Park, Lunch at Boomerang Restaurant, Optional extras include: Face Painting, Canoe Hire, and Photos with Tjapukai Performer | Book Online More Info |
| Tjapukai Cultural Park by Night | $112 | $58.50 | Includes Fireside Traditional Dancing, Gourmet Buffet A Must See |
Book Online More Info |
| Tjapukai, Skyrail & Kuranda Railway | $154 | $79 | As above Tjapukai By day without Lunch Plus One Way Skyrail, and One Way Kuranda Scenic Rail | Book Online More Info |
Tjapukai Tours Departing From Cairns Northern Beaches
| Tour Companies | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Overview | Tour Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tjapukai Cultural Park by Day | $55.00 | $28.50 | Includes full access to Tjapukai Cultural Park, Lunch at Boomerang Restaurant, Optional extras include: Face Painting, Canoe Hire, and Photos with Tjapukai Performer | Book Online More Info |
| Tjapukai Cultural Park by Night | $112 | $58.50 | Includes Fireside Traditional Dancing, Gourmet Buffet A Must See |
Book Online More Info |
| Tjapukai, Skyrail & Kuranda Railway | $154 | $79 | As above Tjapukai By day without Lunch Plus One Way Skyrail, and One Way Kuranda Scenic Rail | Book Online More Info |
Tjapukai Tours Departing From Port Douglas
| Tour Companies | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Overview | Tour Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tjapukai Cultural Park by Night | $143 | $74.50 | Includes Fireside Traditional Dancing, Gourmet Buffet A Must See |
Book Online More Info |
| Tjapukai, Skyrail & Kuranda Railway | $178 | $92 | As above Tjapukai By day without Lunch Plus One Way Skyrail, and One Way Kuranda Scenic Rail | Book Online More Info |
It is 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 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 artefacts 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, artefacts and souvenirs.
- The Boomerang Restaurant is an air-conditioned 5-star buffet restaurant, with an emphasis on native foods.
Opening Times
The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm. They are closed only on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
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.
Tjapukai by Night plays every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday commencing at 7.30pm.