Aboriginal experience

This item appears on page 62 of the July 2015 issue.

In northeastern Australia in May 2015, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (Cairns Western Arterial Rd., Caravonica, Queensland, 4878, Australia; phone +61 7 4042 9999, www.tjapukai.com.au) opened an art gallery and two theaters, including one offering a 360-degree interactive experience, including the floor. 

Owned and operated by the Tjapukai people, the park offers a self-guided “Tjapukai by Day” experience, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in which visitors can choose among activities such as didgeridoo lessons, a bush-food-and-medicine demonstration, traditional dance lessons and dance theater. A “Tjapukai by Night” experience, 7-9:30, comprises a fire-making ceremony, dance performance and dinner. 

A day visit costs AUD40 (near $32) and a night visit, AUD109. A shuttle ride from and to hotels in Cairns, Port Douglas or the Northern Beaches area costs AUD25.