Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise
Description
Spend 3 hours with the fun and informative Mandingalbay Yidinji Rangers on their traditional lands at East Trinity Reserve, a unique Indigenous Protected area just 15 minutes by boat from the Cairns Marina. This business is 100% Indigenous owned and operated and is an Eco-Certified Australian tourism product. You will experience a traditional welcome to country, learn about this proclaimed Indigenous Protected Area where for the last 10 years the Traditional Owners have worked in collaboration with scientists and National Park rangers to conserve and protect a unique mangrove, wetland - which is now once again full of life. Move away from our modern life and walk with first nations people as you connect and experience Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Country and Culture.
Tour Options
Itinerary
3 Hour Guided Eco Cultural Tour - Board our new river cruise vessel for a ride across Trinity Inlet from the Cairns Marina. - Authentic Mandingalbay Yidinji welcome and cleansing smoking ceremony - Tour of an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) and learn about the conservation programs conducted by Indigenous Rangers. - 20 minute guided walk discovering the Mandingalbay Yidinji Bush supermarket and pharmacy. - Light Refreshments (coconut damper, tea, and fresh fruit). - Return Transfers.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(91)
Yes, an excellent tour without spending 12 hours on a bus to go up to Mossman. They picked us up across from a café. We got coffee and ice cream before heading out on the boat. They took us across the river to tribal lands and gave us history of the local area. From there, we transferred to a bus and drove up to tribal lands where we took a tour and learned about local plant life and culture. They provided fruit snacks and drinks. We looked for crocs, but due to cooler weather we did not see any. Brenda and Mundi were fantastic and I would highly recommend this tour.
One of my best adventures at Cairns. The tour leader had a great presentation about the indeginous culture and history and patiently answered all my questions. The whole team was so nice and friendly, including the 15 yrs old indeginenous girl who beautifully showed us the indegineous plans and their usage. Amazing place to visit. Nobody wants to visit Australia and miss the culture and beauty of the orihonal owners of the land. With much respect. Highly recommended!
First the positives. Huge energy and commitment from the staff we met. Very friendly, welcoming and keen to share. Next the could do better. We saw a few plants and had their role explained to us, but that was basically it. They were very willing to answer questions on any subject, but I think they need to develop more content to present rather than just describing the plants. How about how they are used in modern medicine, or describe how a family diet was made up or changed during the year. I asked about the granting of native title and had a short discussion on this - which would be a fascinating area
Thank you so much for your review, Julian, and we are pleased to hear that you picked up on and enjoyed our Mandingalbay Yidinji tour guide team's energy and commitment to sharing their Country and culture with you on tour. This is valuable feedback on the content of our Mayi Bugan Rainforest trail, bush foods and medicine walk, and content, story development was actually a strong them during our recent training exercises with the team during a recent major training program. And this is something that is being developed. So glad you enjoyed your conversation regarding Native Title and that our team was happy to share their particular experience and history with you. Best regards Marcus
Great touu.This tour was very enlightening about the indigenous Australians. Tour guides, driver and captain were very pleasant
We thoroughly enjoyed the Madinggalabay Indigenous tour. The passion of the family members for their land and the work they have done in helping to preserve the natural beauty of the mango groves and local rainforest is impressive. A great way to spend three hours in the morning when visiting Cairns.
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your Mandingalbay experience and appreciated the passion our family shares for Country, culture, and caring for the natural beauty of the mangroves and rainforest. It was our pleasure to welcome you, and we’re so pleased we could be part of your time in Cairns.
Wonderful morning spent on this tour. Scenic boat ride from Cairns, knowledgeable friendly staff/guides ~ we learnt a lot about significant plants and practices before a morning tea of fresh fruit, muffins and coffee. Recommend to all, locals and Cairns visitors.
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so pleased you enjoyed your morning with us, from the scenic boat ride to learning about significant plants, cultural practices, and sharing morning tea on Country. It means a lot to receive your recommendation, and we look forward to welcoming both locals and visitors again soon.
18 of us booked the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone. The tour guides were very friendly, very well informed and part of the local Aboriginal mob. Their knowledge and generosity made the trip very authentic and memorable. Please make a booking its such an interesting perspective and a privilege to understand the real history. Annie Parks
Fantastic to have had the opportunity to host your group and so pleased you enjoyed your experience with us Annie
We learnt so much from Yidinji guides, saw crocs and a goanna, loved the boat cruise and walk and enjoyed a great morning tea.
Such an incredible morning spent with excellent hosts. This tour gives you experience on the water and walking on country and we learnt so much. Morning tea was great (scones with lashings of cream and delicious fresh fruit) and we ate this whilst watching a goanna visitor (or maybe he was watching us). We can highly recommend this tour.
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re delighted you had such an incredible morning with us and enjoyed experiencing both the water and walking on Country. It’s great to hear you loved the morning tea as well—and that our goanna guest made a memorable appearance. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon.
Our morning tour was moved to the evening which turned out to be great! I strongly value the visit by boat to the indigenous tribal area. The brief lecture with examples of indigenous art was well worth the time! Thank you!
