Bama Bubu Cultural Tours Jalun & Bubu Dreaming: Saltwater to Rainforest Full Day Cultural Journey

Map View Full Details

A full day on Kuku Yalanji Country with Traditional Owners as your guides, from the saltwater at Cooya Beach through Mossman Gorge to Cape Tribulation, with lunch on Country and return transfers from Port Douglas or Cairns, depending on the option you choose.

Days

Full day, about 8 hours, or 12 hours from Cairns

Age

Children over 5

Group size

Small group tour

Start / finish

Port Douglas / Port Douglas, or Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Return transfers from Port Douglas or Cairns

Meals

Lunch on Country

Route

Map of Bama Bubu Cultural Tours Jalun & Bubu Dreaming: Saltwater to Rainforest Full Day Cultural Journey

View map

Included experiences

Cooya Beach — smoking ceremony and Dreamtime creation stories
Mossman Gorge — sacred sites and Kuku Yalanji history
Whyanbeel Valley — stone axe and tool making grounds
Rocky Point — ancient stone fish traps
Daintree River — bush tuka and medicine plants
Cape Tribulation — where the rainforest meets the reef

Bama Bubu Cultural Tours Jalun & Bubu Dreaming: Saltwater to Rainforest Full Day Cultural Journey

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: PORT DOUGLAS TO KUYU KUYU (COOYA BEACH)

Your day starts with a pick-up in Port Douglas, a town founded in 1877 as the port for the Hodgkinson goldfield, or with a transfer from Cairns, about an hour south along the coast road. First comes a traditional smoking and grounding ceremony, the smoke of native leaves preparing you to walk on Kuku Yalanji Country with respect. Your guides are Traditional Owners, and the tour's name sets out the day: jalun is the saltwater, bubu the land. On the wide tidal flats of Kuyu Kuyu (Cooya Beach) you learn how the saltwater people live with the tides, the seasons and the sea life, and hear the Dreamtime stories of how land, sea and sky began.

MOSSMAN GORGE AND THE WHYANBEEL VALLEY

Next is Mossman Gorge, in the southern corner of Daintree National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area since 1988. The Mossman River runs clear over granite boulders through old rainforest, and for the Kuku Yalanji it's a place of deep meaning. Your guides talk about its sacred sites and the responsibilities that come with them, and tell the harder story of what colonisation meant for their people and how they have held on. In the Whyanbeel Valley, further north, you visit the grounds where stone axes, tools and weapons were made, and learn how materials from Country were shaped for hunting, ceremony and everyday life.

ROCKY POINT AND LUNCH ON COUNTRY

At Rocky Point the stone fish traps are still there in the shallows. Walls of rock laid across the tidal flats hold the fish as the water drops, built with knowledge of the tides passed down for thousands of years, and they show how to harvest the sea without emptying it. Somewhere along the way you stop for lunch on Country, a good moment for the questions that have built up over the morning.

AFTERNOON: THE DAINTREE RIVER TO CAPE TRIBULATION

The afternoon heads north across the Daintree River, where a cable ferry is the only way over by road. Your guides point out the plants used for bush tuka and medijin and explain how they read Country for food, healing and the change of seasons. On Cape Kimberley, just north of the river mouth, the beach looks across to Snapper Island. The day ends at Cape Tribulation, which James Cook named in 1770, after the Endeavour struck the reef offshore, writing that this was where his troubles began. Here two World Heritage areas meet, the Wet Tropics rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Then it's the drive back south to Port Douglas or Cairns.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up in Port Douglas, or from your Cairns hotel with the Cairns option. Your pick-up place and time are confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 8 hours from Port Douglas, or about 12 hours from Cairns, including the drive there and back.
Minimum age: Suits children over 5. Families are welcome.
Fitness: Walks on rainforest and coastal ground that can be uneven. Tell us of any mobility or fitness concerns when you book.
Dietary needs: Tell us of any dietary needs when you book.
Please note: Daintree weather can change quickly; the guides monitor conditions through the day.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat and sun protection
Insect repellent
Water
Clothes for changeable Daintree weather

What is included

Full-day cultural tour guided by Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners
Traditional smoking and grounding ceremony
Lunch on Country
Return transfers from Port Douglas, or from Cairns hotels with the Cairns option

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.