Bama Bubu Cultural Tours Wawu Bubu – Spirit of Country 5‑Day Cultural Journey

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Five days on Kuku Yalanji Country with Traditional Owner guides, from the beaches and fish traps near Port Douglas, through the Daintree and up the Creb Track to a rainforest camp at Yindilli, then on to Cooktown. Nights at Yindilli are in pop-up glamping tents beside a freshwater creek.

Days

5 days, 4 nights

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Cairns or Port Douglas / Port Douglas
Port Douglas, around 5pm

Return

Port Douglas, around 5pm

Accommodation

Pop-up glamping tents at Yindilli Campground; other nights confirmed when you book

Transport

Transfer from Cairns, then road travel with your guides, including the unsealed Creb Track

Meals

Named on the itinerary: breakfast at Cooya Beach, lunch in Daintree Village, BBQ dinner in Cooktown

Route

Map of Bama Bubu Cultural Tours Wawu Bubu – Spirit of Country 5‑Day Cultural Journey

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Included experiences

Port Douglas — smoking ceremony and sunset cruise
Cooya Beach — saltwater customs of the Kuku Yalanji
Whyanbeel — stone tool making ground
Rocky Point — remains of traditional fish traps
Yindilli — rainforest and stories walk, weaving or artefact making, damper
Roaring Meg Falls — culturally significant waterfall near camp
Cooktown — Black Mountain lookout and the history of colonisation

Bama Bubu Cultural Tours Wawu Bubu – Spirit of Country 5‑Day Cultural Journey

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CAIRNS TO PORT DOUGLAS

The journey begins in Cairns, founded in 1876 on the mangrove flats of Trinity Inlet, with a transfer north along the coast road to Port Douglas, the goldfield port of 1877 (you can also join here). A Traditional Owner welcomes you to Kuku Yalanji Country with a smoking ceremony, the smoke of native leaves preparing you to walk on Country with respect. Later in the afternoon a relaxed sunset cruise gives you time to get to know the people you'll share the next five days with.

Overnight: Port Douglas

DAY 2: PORT DOUGLAS TO YINDILLI ON BURU COUNTRY

Breakfast is on the tidal flats of Kuyu Kuyu (Cooya Beach), where you learn the saltwater customs of the Kuku Yalanji. Then comes Mossman Gorge, its river running clear over granite boulders, the Whyanbeel stone tool making ground, and Rocky Point, where the walls of old fish traps still show in the shallows. Lunch is in Daintree Village, which began as a camp for red cedar cutters in the 1870s, before you cross the Daintree River on its cable ferry. The road runs through the Lower Daintree and past Cape Tribulation, named by James Cook in 1770, to Wujal Wujal, a small Aboriginal township on the Bloomfield River. The last stretch climbs the Creb Track, a steep, unsealed rainforest road, to Yindilli.

Overnight: Yindilli Campground (pop-up glamping tents)

DAY 3: YINDILLI ON BURUNKU ABORIGINAL LAND

A whole day at Yindilli Campground, on Burunku Aboriginal Land beside a freshwater creek. CJ leads a walk through the rainforest with the stories that belong to it, and the group visits Roaring Meg Falls and other culturally significant sites nearby. Back at camp you can try artefact making or weaving, and make damper the traditional way. There's free time to rest or swim in the creek. All of this forest sits inside the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, rainforest that has survived here for many millions of years.

Overnight: Yindilli Campground (pop-up glamping tents)

DAY 4: YINDILLI TO COOKTOWN

An easy morning at camp, then you leave Yindilli in the afternoon and head north to Cooktown, stopping at culturally significant sites on the way. One is the lookout at Black Mountain (Kalkajaka), a range of huge granite boulders stained dark by lichen, with no soil or trees on its slopes. Dinner is a barbecue on the waterfront in Cooktown, on the Endeavour River, where James Cook beached his damaged ship in 1770 and spent about seven weeks on repairs.

Overnight: Cooktown

DAY 5: COOKTOWN TO PORT DOUGLAS

The morning is spent in Cooktown with your guides, learning the history of colonisation. On the banks of the Endeavour River in 1770, the Guugu Yimithirr people and Cook's crew had one of the first recorded meetings between Aboriginal people and Europeans. Then the road heads back south through Western Kuku Yalanji Country by way of Lakeland, the small town where the Peninsula Developmental Road leaves for Cape York, and reaches Port Douglas at about 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Transfer from Cairns on day 1; you can also start in Port Douglas. Your pick-up place and time are confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Port Douglas, around 5pm on day 5.
Accommodation note: Nights at Yindilli are in pop-up glamping tents, with toilets and showers at the campground. Where the Port Douglas and Cooktown nights are spent is confirmed when you book.
Please note: The Creb Track is a steep, narrow, unsealed road and can be slippery after rain, so the route and timings may shift with the weather.

What is included

Transfer from Cairns to Port Douglas on day 1
Traditional Owner guides throughout
Smoking ceremony and sunset cruise
Guided visits to Cooya Beach, Mossman Gorge, Whyanbeel, Rocky Point, Roaring Meg Falls and Black Mountain
Rainforest and stories walk at Yindilli
Artefact making or weaving and damper making
Pop-up glamping tent at Yindilli Campground

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.