Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre Jellurgal Journey Tour

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The longest and most in-depth tour at Jellurgal, the Gold Coast's Aboriginal-owned cultural centre at Burleigh Heads: a morning of stories, live dance and ochre, a guided walk to an ancient midden on Jellurgal, the Dreaming Mountain, and an art workshop where you paint a piece to take home.

Days

3.5 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Shared tour, minimum 4 guests

Start / finish

Jellurgal Cultural Centre, Burleigh Heads / Jellurgal / Jellurgal Cultural Centre
Burleigh Heads, around 12.30pm

Return

Burleigh Heads, around 12.30pm

Transport

On foot from the cultural centre

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre Jellurgal Journey Tour

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Included experiences

Dreaming Amphitheatre — the land's stories told over a 3D map
Dance and ochre — live performance and traditional ochre anointment
Jellurgal — guided walk on the Oceanview track to an ancient midden
Art workshop — paint your own piece to take home

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre Jellurgal Journey Tour

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Itinerary

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MORNING: THE DREAMING AMPHITHEATRE

Your morning starts at 9am at the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, at the foot of the headland at Burleigh Heads. The centre is owned and run by the local Aboriginal community, the only dedicated Aboriginal cultural centre on the Gold Coast. The Traditional Custodians here are the Kombumerri, saltwater people of the Yugambeh language group, whose culture on this coast reaches back more than 60,000 years. In the Dreaming Amphitheatre your guide lays the country out on a 3D map: the mountain, the creeks, the beaches and the sea, and the Dreaming stories that tie them together. It is a good way to see the coast before you walk it.

MID-MORNING: DANCE AND OCHRE

Next comes a live performance of traditional dance, and then it's your turn to take part in an ochre anointment. Ochre is a natural earth pigment, coloured red, yellow or white by iron oxides and clay. Aboriginal people have ground it for body paint, ceremony and rock art for tens of thousands of years, and the colours and patterns once carried meaning about who you are and where you belong. Watch the dancers closely, ask your guide what you have just seen, and carry the ochre with you for the rest of the morning.

LATE MORNING: THE WALK ON JELLURGAL

From the centre you head into Burleigh Head National Park on the Oceanview track, a hardened path that runs 1.2 km around the headland from Tallebudgera Creek towards Burleigh Point. Jellurgal is the Yugambeh name for the headland, the Dreaming Mountain. Near the top, the slope is strewn with six-sided columns of basalt, left by lava flows from the Tweed volcano about 23 million years ago. Your guide stops at an ancient midden, a mound of shells and bones built up over countless meals, and explains how the custodians lived with the land and how its plants and animals shaped daily life. In winter and spring, watch the sea for humpback whales passing the point.

MIDDAY: THE ART WORKSHOP

Back at the centre you sit down for the art workshop. With the morning's stories still fresh, you design and paint your own Aboriginal-inspired piece, and it goes home with you. Nobody needs to be an artist, and the result is a far better reminder of the day than anything from a souvenir shop. The tour finishes around 12:30pm. The centre's café does barista coffee and ice cream, and the gift shop stocks boomerangs, didgeridoos and jewellery. If you packed swimmers, the calm water of Tallebudgera Creek and a patrolled beach are a short walk away.

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Good to know

Meeting point: Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 1711 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads. There is parking on site; pick up a parking permit from the team inside.
Departure time: 9am to 12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday.
Fitness: The Oceanview track is 1.2 km one way and a Grade 2 walk: a hardened surface with gentle hill sections and occasional steps. No bushwalking experience is needed.
Suits: All ages; the track suits most children from about 3, and children 5 to 14 pay a child price. Keep small children within arm's reach, as there are drop-offs. Wheelchair and pram access is possible but limited: the track is at least a metre wide and the entry gate needs tight turns, so tell us your needs when you book.
Please note: A minimum of four guests is needed for the tour to run. Tours go ahead in light rain. In heat the guides adjust the walk, and in high winds, heavy rain or fire risk part of the track may be closed for rockfall and the route changed. Photos and short clips are welcome, but please don't record whole stories to share.

What to bring

Closed-in, flat walking shoes (required)
A hat
Sunscreen and insect repellent, ideally reef-safe
A bottle of water
An umbrella or poncho if rain is forecast
Swimwear and a towel if you'd like a swim at Tallebudgera Creek after the tour

What is included

Dreaming Amphitheatre presentation
Live Aboriginal dance performance and ochre anointment
Guided walk on Jellurgal to the ancient midden
Art workshop and the piece you paint to take home
On-site parking

Not included

Food and drinks from the centre's cafe
Gift shop purchases

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

Reviews

4.5

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(4/5)

A wonderful, educational experience. Our guide Shannon was friendly and knowledgeable, the ochre at the end was the perfect finish, and the wildlife turned up too, with eagles, whales, koalas and lizards.

Keryn Ralph Verified· Travelled 9th September 2026

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(5/5)

Our visit was a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to Tyreece, who spoke with real passion and respect about the history, culture and resilience of First Nations people. He explained that, not being on his own people's Country, he could only acknowledge us as guests, and he painted ancient symbols on our faces to wish us a safe journey. I feel much closer to Australia's Indigenous people after this deeply moving day.

Andrea Kurucz Verified· Travelled 3rd July 2026

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