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.
At Your Event
There are many Traditional Custodians of the lands on Tropical North Queensland. When you hold your business event here, we invite you to recognise them and pay your respects to elders past, present and future. Here are four areas that provide a Welcome To Country or Acknowledgement to Country service in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef:
Yirrganydji
Cairns – Palm Cove
Yirrgandji (pronounced Irikandji) are the Traditional Custodians of the narrow coastal strip of land from Cairns North to the Mowbray River just before Port Douglas. They are known as the Saltwater people.
Welcome To Country Performance Contact: Gavin Singleton
Yidinji
Cairns & Trinity Inlet
Yidinji (pronounced Yidinjee) are the Traditional Custodians of the land including Cairns, south to the Russell River and west to parts of the Atherton Tablelands.
Includes:
Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji (south of Cairns and surrounds)
Mandingalbay Yidinji (east of Cairns, across the Trinity Inlet to Yarrabah)
Welcome To Country Performance Contact:
Carl Fourmile, Minjil
Kuku Yalanji
Port Douglas – Mossman – Daintree
The Kuku Yalanji (also known as the Gugu-Yalanji or Kokojelandji) are Indigenous Australian people originating from the rainforest regions of Tropical North Queensland. Their traditional country extends from south of Mossman to Cooktown in the north, and Palmer River in the west.
Welcome To Country Performance Contact:
Djabugay
Barron Gorge – Kuranda
The Djabugay people (also known as the Djabunganydji) are the original inhabitants of mountains, gorges, lands and waters of a richly forested part of the Great Dividing Range, including the Barron Gorge and surrounding areas towards Mareeba, Kuranda and Port Douglas.
Welcome to Country Performance Contact:
Bike rides on the beach? Mission Beach understood the assignment 🚲🔥
🎥 @rookieinthesky
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia @cassowarycoastaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Aerial footage along Mission Beach with people riding bikes along the sand.
Dec 12
Explore the Daintree with @cairnsadventuregroup. Swim at Mossman Gorge, meet Traditional Owners, cruise the Daintree River, wander through ancient rainforest, explore the beaches of Cape Tribulation. 🌿
Who`s ready for an adventure?
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia @portdouglasdaintree @queensland @australia
Dec 11
Have you met @reefmagiccairns royalty, Wally? 🐠
Wally is their resident Maori Wrasse, famous for greeting guests and stealing the spotlight with bright colours and a big personality.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Image of colour Maori Wrasse swimming around the coral at the Great Barrier Reef.
Dec 10
@portdouglasdaintree knows how to put on a market! Every Sunday, the Port Douglas markets come alive with local produce, artisan crafts, and the relaxed tropical vibe the town is known for. 🌴🥥
🎥 @dimaioaldo
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
Dec 6
🚗🌿 Driving through the green wonder of the Atherton Tablelands. Waterfalls, wildlife, and endless views.
Link in bio for road trip itineraries!
🎥 @trippin_drydos
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @athertontablelands @queensland @australia
ID Aerial footage of a car driving through the Atherton Tablelands surrounded by green rolling hills and blue skies.
Dec 5
🚗🌴 The Great Barrier Reef drive doesn`t disappoint. Green hills, sparkling water, and epic views at every turn.
📸 @amys.camera.lens
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia @portdouglasdaintree @queensland @australia
ID Aerial image over the Great Barrier Reef drive with green hills and turquoise water.
Dec 4
TNQ wrapped 2025 ✨🌴
Sunset, reef, rainforest and waterfalls (and so so so much more)
The best playlist for adventures and unwinding in the tropics!
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
Dec 4
Catching the first light at @greenislandgbr. Not a bad way to begin the day. 🏝️
📸IG/decoydesign
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Aerial image of Green Island surrounded by blue ocean, glowing under an orange sunrise.
Dec 2
