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:
Two historical landmarks captured in one beautiful image – can you name them? 🤔 (Answer at the end!)
📸 @amys.camera.lens
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @australia @queensland @portdouglasdaintree
A small white church sits among tall palm trees near a sandy shoreline. Behind it, the ocean stretches to the horizon with a wooden pier on one side and distant mountains in the background.
⚓ Port Douglas Sugar Wharf
⛪ St Mary’s by the Sea
Mar 15
Every day is an adventure in @TropicalNorthQueensland. ☀️ And if you need a little inspo, here are 8 experiences that made 🎥 @kellerdiaries` list.
🚂 Take a scenic ride through the rainforest on the @kurandascenicrailway.
🐎 Gallop along the beach between two World Heritage sites with @capetribhorserides.
🛥️ Cruise to Mackay Coral Cay for pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
🍍 Hunt for hidden gems and fresh local produce at the Port Douglas Markets.
🍇 Indulge in a delicious road trip through the @athertontablelands’ foodie trail.
🏝️ Spend a sun-soaked day exploring @fitzroyisland.
🤿 Snorkel the @gbrmarinepark and meet its incredible marine life.
🌴 Chase waterfalls and secret swimming spots in @portdouglasdaintree.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Text over video reads “8 must-see places in Tropical North Queensland” followed by a series of videos showing a train travelling through a rainforest, people riding horses along a sandy shoreline, people standing on a white sand cay in the ocean, an outdoor market filled with people and stalls, a person admiring views from a lookout beneath a tree, a white sand beach with bright blue water, colourful coral underwater and a person jumping into a rainforest waterhole.
Mar 14
Heaven IS a place on Earth… and it looks a lot like this 💙. #LizardIsland is serving up some pretty spectacular views so, who’s coming with you? 🏝️
🎥 @lizardisland
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @cooktowntnq
ID Aerial and close-up shots of the landscapes of Lizard Island, featuring crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life.
Mar 13
OMG, Is that a baby dragon? Meet the newest additions to the @WildlifeHabitat - Wilma and Whiplash’s tiny but mighty Boyd’s Forest Dragons. After months of careful incubation, they have finally hatched. Who else thinks they need names? 👇
🎥 @wildlifehabitat
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree
ID A Wildlife Habitat keeper introduces newly hatched Boyd’s Forest Dragons, explaining the incubation process. The video shows gloved hands gently handling tiny eggs and placing baby dragons in an incubation container. The scene shifts to their parents, Wilma and Whiplash, perched in their enclosure. The keeper describes the careful temperature and humidity control needed for hatching.
Mar 12
Literally obsessed with these treetop hoppers! Say hello to the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo, the ultimate proof that Australia’s wildlife is next-level adorable. Like seriously… just look at that face. 😍 How would you describe this little guy in one word?
📸: @wolfekind
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @athertontablelands
ID A tree kangaroo clings to a tree trunk, sticking its tongue out. It is surrounded by green leaves, with sunlight filtering through the canopy.
Mar 11
From the #GreatBarrierReef to ancient rainforest, women are shaping the future of Tropical North Queensland. This #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the leaders, innovators and changemakers accelerating action in our region. Tag an inspiring woman in your life 💜 #IWD2025 #accelerateaction
@cairnsturtlerehab @backcountryblissadventures @cairnsadventuregroup @skydiveaustralia @talaroohotsprings @skyparkcairns @skyrailcairns @gbrbiology @reefmagiccairns @daintreediscovery @wildlifehabitat @cairns_aquarium
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree @cassowarycoastaustralia
ID This video celebrates International Women’s Day 2025 with the theme “Accelerate Action”. It features aerial shots of Tropical North Queensland, followed by women working in tourism and conservation, from guiding tours to protecting saving turtles on the Great Barrier Reef.
Mar 7
Deals too hot to miss. 🌴☀️ Dreaming of your next adventure? @TropicalNorthQueensland has never looked so good.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree @athertontablelands @oaks_hotels @daintreetours @windswell_kite_sup_reef @wildlifehabitat @skydiveaustralia @treetopsadventurecapetrib @hartleyscrocodileadventures @cairns_aquarium @historicvillageherberton @salthousecairns @cassowarycoastaustralia
ID A dynamic showcase of Tropical North Queensland’s top experiences, highlighting landscapes, adventure activities and exclusive travel deals. The video opens with the text ‘Deals Too Hot to Miss’ and ends with ‘Your Next Adventure Starts Here’.
Mar 7
Who needs solid ground when you can take adventure to @treetopsadventurecapetrib in the #DaintreeRainforest? 🎥 @amys.camera.lens
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree #portdouglasdaintree @destinationdaintree
ID The video captures an exciting aerial adventure where participants navigate high ropes courses, suspended bridges and fast zip lines among tall trees.
Mar 6
