Great Options from Cairns Delivering a Authentic Indigenous Experience
HANDS ON COUNTRY ECO TOUR
From $149 Per Adult
HANDS ON COUNTRY ECO TOUR
From $149 Per Adult
Currently operating Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with more departures available from 1st July 2023.
All Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours Tour Guides and Staff members are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Rates are per person and in AUD and inclusive of GST. Child rate applies to children 5 to 15 years old. Infants 0 to 4 years old travel free of charge.
Experience Includes:
Half Day tour 3 hours in duration departing from the Cairns Marina.
Fully guided river cruise across Cairns Harbour to river system lined with Mangrove Forests.
Exclusive access to the Mandingalbay Indigenous Protected Reserve (IPA)
Mandingalbay Yidinji welcome and traditional smoking.
Guided bush-walk discovering the Mandingalbay Yidinji native bush foods and medicine.
Light refreshments (traditional damper, tea, coffee, and fresh tropical fruit).
Return transfer by vessel to Cairns Marina, in the heart of the city.
What you need to bring: Hat, Water bottle, Sunscreen, Mosquito repellent, toiletries, spare clothes, covered shoes, towel and prescribed medication.
MORE DETAILS
Meet Traditional Owners on their traditional Country set amongst a sublime natural manrgove and wetland environment just 10 minutes cruise from Cairns CBD. In the distance, rainforest clad mountains soar – today’s destination. Turn up Hills Creek, where salty sea and mountain freshwaters meet, arriving to a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.
Visit a working Indigenous Ranger base from where the Mayi Bugan Rainforest Trail begins. Joins Indigenous Guides to discover native foods and bush medicines, as well as ancient Aboriginal traditions, customs, and artefacts. Enjoy light refreshments surrounded by the sounds of nature before returning to the Cairns Harbour arriving at the Marina close to the CBD, shops, restaurants and cafes.
DEADLY AFTER DARK (SUNSET CRUISE) – 5.30pm to 7.30pm
From $99 Per Adult*
*Friday night departures from 30 June 2023
Or Deadly After Dark Sunset Cruise is currently available for private group charters at other times
DEADLY AFTER DARK (SUNSET CRUISE) – 5.30pm to 7.30pm
From $99 Per Adult*
*Friday night departures from 30 June 2023
Or Deadly After Dark Sunset Cruise is currently available for private group charters at other times
Experience Includes:
2 hours in duration
Fully guided river cruise across Cairns Harbour to
river system lined with Mangrove Forests.
Exclusive access to the Mandingalbay Indigenous
Protected Reserve (IPA)
Mandingalbay Yidinji welcome and traditional
smoking ceremony.
Enjoy seasonal and locally sourced tropical
canapes.
Served with a selection of cold non-alcoholic
drinks.
Visit the architectural, off-grid award winning
Stingray Shelter
Return transfer by vessel to Cairns Reef Fleet
Terminal
TWO DAY / 1 NIGHT CULTURAL YOUTH CAMP ADVENTURE
From $315 pp
TWO DAY / 1 NIGHT CULTURAL YOUTH CAMP ADVENTURE
From $315 pp
Rates are per person and in AUD and inclusive of GST. Minimum 18 guests per booking. Maximum 25 guests. Experience Includes:
3 Hour Cultural Tour and Vessel Transfer – A short boat ride across Trinity Inlet from Cairns Reef Terminal and bus transfers. –
Authentic Mandingalbay Yidinji welcome and cleansing smoking ceremony.
20-minute guided walk discovering the Mandingalbay Yidinji bush supermarket and
pharmacy.
Camp Fire
Camping Equipment – tent, airbed, linen, cooking and other utensils
Meals: Morning Tea x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 1
Vessel or Bus Transfers available
DEADLY DINNERS – PRICE ON APPLICATION
DEADLY DINNERS – PRICE ON APPLICATION
Minimum 30 and maximum 80 guests per event. Departure times and packages are tailored to group’s requirements. Subject to change due to availability of seasonal produce, AV, and weather.
An extraordinary evening event unique by nature. Enjoy canapés under the canopy of night in an indulgent tour so traditional in its offering yet Instagramready to dazzle and delight.
Imagine – Pushing off from Cairns by boat at sunset, bound for East Trinity Reserve. Being enveloped in the sights and sounds of Aboriginal ceremony and tradition during the ancient custom of a Welcoming Ceremony and Smoking Cleansing Ceremony.
Arriving to a dinner setting like no other, under a canopy of towering ghostlike melaleucas where canapés are served. Savoring Indigenous inspired taste sensations punctuated by traditional dance, music and storytelling.
Cruising quietly thought the ethereal beauty of the mangrove lined waterway back into Cairns, revealing the beauty of the city from a completely different perspective. Nothing compares to this dining experience.
MORE DETAIL
Looking for a unique, outdoor event hosted by Traditional Owners on their Country to support your next conference or business event? Deadly Dinner (The Main Event) is a spectacular evening presented entirely for the Mandingalbay people of the Yidinji Nation at a site of cultural significance within an Indigenous Protected Area.
Beginning at the Cairns Marina within walking distance of many of the major hotels and resorts, meet your Mandingalbay Yidinji guide before pushing off in our new covered river-cruise vessel as the rising moon illuminates the night sky, leading the way to East Trinity Reserve.
Upon arrival at the dinner site, you will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of Aboriginal ceremony and tradition during the ancient custom of a Welcoming Ceremony and Smoking Cleansing Ceremony.
Enjoy a spectacular dinner setting under the stars where the moonlight paints silver streaks through the giant melaleucas as canapés are served.
After being seated at a beautifully decorated table, savouring Indigenous inspired taste sensations during a four-course dinner to the captivating backdrop of traditional dance, music, and storytelling, culminating in performance by the internationally renowned harpist Natalia Mann.
Complete the evening with a slow cruise through moonlit waters back into the bright lights of Cairns. A unique cultural experience that will be remembered for many moons to come.
Sample Dinner Menu
Canapé
Thai style Kangaroo – green papaya salsa
Paperbark smoked crocodile – riberry mayo
Tablelands pork belly – Davidson plum jam
Entrée – Tropical seafood tasting plate
Green ant salmon gravlax, seared Queensland scallop – pineapple and dessert lime salsa
mud crab and avocado tian, mackerel pattie – lemon aspen mayo
Main course – alternate drop
Steamed barramundi – wrapped in banana leaf with lemon myrtle, papaw and finger lime salsa
Grilled Lamb rump – bush tomato and balsamic jus, macadamia hummus, smoked eggplant relish
Sides
Roast sweet potato
Green vegetables with soya, mirin and sesame
Dessert
Flourless chocolate and macadamia cake, wild berry compote, fresh cream
Beverage
Mango daiquiri on arrival, Wildflower sauvignon blanc, De Bortolli Cabernet Sauvignon, Two turtles pale ale, Great Northern Lager, soft drinks, juice and water
