Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef acknowledges that we
work, live and play on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
We pay our respects to elders past, present and future.

 

Recognising Our Traditional Custodians

Tropical North Queensland is the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been continuously active longer than any other culture on the planet.

Welcome to Country

Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for thousands of years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups had clear boundaries separating their Country from that of other groups. Crossing into another group’s Country required a request for permission to enter. When permission was granted the hosting group would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being during the journey. While visitors were provided with a safe passage, they also had to respect the protocols and rules of the landowner group while on their Country.

Today, much has changed, and these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances. However, the essential elements of welcoming visitors and offering safe passage remain in place. A Welcome to Country occurs at the beginning of a formal event and can take many forms including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language or English. A Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been given permission from Traditional Owners, to welcome visitors to their Country.

Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. It can be given by both non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There are no set protocols or wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, though often a statement may take the following forms:

General –

“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present.”

Specific –

“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the (people) of the (nation) and pay my respects to Elders past and present.”

Similar to a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country is generally offered at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal occasion. Contacts for Traditional Custodians in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef can be found below.

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Swapping snow for sand and rocking boardies around a palm fringed Christmas tree A T Wishing you all a very sunny Christmas from the tropics #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland 

[ID: Split screen featuring the same dance to a Christmas song. One side shows a single person dancing on a beach, while the other shows two people dancing in front of a crocodile exhibit.]
Who needs snow when you have got sunshine, snorkels and Christmas rashies? 🌊☀️ This is how we do the holidays in #exploreTNQ. #GBR adventures with a side of festive cheer. Santa might need fins to keep up. 🐠🎅

Check out the hottest summer deals here ☝ (link in bio ➡️ deals) 

📸: @reef_unlimited 

ID: Two snorkellers wearing festive Christmas rash vests prepare to enter clear blue water near the boat named “Dreamtime Snorkel”. The split-level photo shows their fins underwater and the boat in the background under a bright blue sky.
🌿 Let us show you some of nature’s greatest hits… buckle in, it’s a wild ride. 🌊

In order of appearance:
Yule Point, Port Douglas 🌅
Cannabulen Falls 💦
Kalaphine Rock (Lamb’s Head) 🏞️
Babinda Falls 🌊
Mossman Bluff ⛰️

🎥: @evjocks 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland 
@australia 

ID: A video showing locations in Tropical North Queensland. Mangroves at Yule Point, Port Douglas during sunrise, the flowing waters of Cannabulen Falls surrounded by rainforest, the peak of Kalaphine Rock (Lamb’s Head) above the trees, Babinda Falls rushing through a rocky gorge and the cliffs of Mossman Bluff with rainforest in the background.
🪸🐠 Experience the biggest plate coral on North Opal Reef with our Master Reef Guides on @wavelengthreefcruises 

Like all @masterreefguides we believe sharing wonders like this on the Great Barrier Reef is a great honour! 🩵

#explorecairnsgbr #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia 

🎥 @tahnmiller 

[ID: Master Reef Guide snorkelling in between large plate coral on the Great Barrier Reef]
From reef to runway, @cairnsfashionweek has landed in the heart of the tropics 🪸👠

Six days of cutting-edge fashion, set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, where breathtaking landscapes and bold styles collide. See you on the catwalk! Book your tickets now – Ends Sunday!

#ExploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR  #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

[ID: Behind-the-scenes footage of Cairns Fashion Week, featuring interviews with models and designers, alongside runway highlights.]