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:
Shelly Tolley, Mossman Gorge Centre
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:
Hello from #CapeTribulation in @portdouglasdaintree 🌴✨
Have you ever been to the ancient Daintree Rainforest? 💚
📸 @ashhughesphotos #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #portdouglasdaintree #rainforest #daintree

Open your ears and hear the incredible sounds of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest 🌴💚✨
🎥 @queensland #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

Another day another waterfall - this time we`re at Fairy Falls 🧚✨ Off the beaten track & tucked away in the rainforest near #CrystalCascades, this stunning waterfall is just as magical as its name so be sure to add it to your bucket list 🩵🌴
📸 @camandgeorgia #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #cairns

Time for a quick biology lesson 🧑🔬
The Pygmy Seahorse is a master of disguise, able to mirror the textures and colours of the coral they live in 🪸 Since these seahorses are too small to fend off predators, they change colour to mimic their environment and become almost invisible! 😮
Did you know that these guys often spend their entire lives in one particular coral? 🌊🐚
📸 @pablocogollos_photography #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

#CapeYork season might be over for the year, but that just means it`s the perfect time to start planning next year`s adventure!
Head to our bio link to explore road trips ☝️
📸 @jack.and.megan #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

New pics from the set of Jurassic Park…oh wait, no that’s just Hinchinbrook Island 🌴🦖
Located in @cassowarycoastaustralia, Hinchinbrook Island is the most southern island in Tropical North Queensland, but it`s not hard to see why it`s one of our favourites! 🙌
📸 @schmidtdogg_ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #cassowarycoast

@silkyoakslodge is putting a new spin on ‘feeling green’ 🌴💚
If you like your rainforest wilderness with a side of luxury, this is the place for you!
Set deep in the rainforest of @portdouglasdaintree, Silky Oaks really delivers following its multimillion dollar rebuild, with dreamy treehouses & an idyllic onsite spa 🧖♀️✨
Don’t forget to take a dip in your very own balcony bath 💦
📸 @wanderlands_ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #portdouglasdaintree #silkyoakslodge

Have you ever spotted a majestic cassowary in the wild? 🌴✨🐦
🎥 @artlife.films #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

Get down & dirty on one of the country’s most spectacular 4WD trails, the CREB Track 🚘🌴
Click the bio link to explore more road trips ☝️
📸 @paullorenzofnq #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

Talk about a family adventure! Say hello to the Family Islands group, including the incredible Wheeler Island 🏝🐠 You’ll find this stunner off the coast of #MissionBeach in the @cassowarycoastaustralia 🦋🌴 From fishing & adventure to a lavish luxury on a secluded island, this cluster of tropical goodness is one for the bucket list! 🎣🌺
📸 @reags.and.danni #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #cassowarycoast
