Our Indigenous Partners
Oz Tours has for many years in conducting our operations we strive to minimise our impact on the environment, spread benefits throughout the local economies in Cape York as well as directly promote and support community wellbeing with our indigenous partners.
Through our itineraries we support many communities to set up and operate homeland-based economic enterprises that incorporate sustainable land management principles. Assist in education and training that will build a strong community base, and to promote improvements in the health, social and spiritual well being of our partners as well as that of the wider Aboriginal community.
Chuula Homelands
In July 2002 the descendants of a focal Kuuku I'yu Northern Kaanju ancestor, being members of the Claudie/Moreton/Nelson families and living at Chuulangun on the upper Wenlock River, established Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation and since that time have worked in association with Government agencies, State & Federal, as well as private enterprise & the Wilderness Society to make the Kaanju Ngaachi a significant area where the Kaanju people hold social, cultural, spiritual, historical and ecological importance for Kaanju, and are part of the globally-significant landscapes of Cape York Peninsula.
Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation is at the forefront of the return of Kaanju to Country and the development of a Kaanju land and resource framework where the Kaanju Traditional Owners aim to create an Indigenous Protected Area on their homelands and to care for their country according to their traditions and customs and they do this by way of a Wild Rivers Ranger program which funds the training and the on going management of this pristine environment.
The Chuulangun homeland operates a serviced camp ground for visitors to the area, in close proximity to the Pascoe River.
Guurrbi Tours
The traditional story-keeper of the Nugal- Warra clan Willie Gordon takes guests to his ancestral rock art sites, set high in the hills above Hopevale outside Cooktown.
Here he shares his stories behind the art and explains how the cave paintings speaks of the essence of the life and lores of his people. Walk with him as he guides you through the bush to the rock art through their ancient, untouched country, learning about their art, culture, history and bush tucker.
This magical award winning tours are now listed as one of Australia’s ultimate must do experiences.
Walker Family
Spend time with one of the clan groups of the Kuku Yalanji people. Be guided by them through their traditional country, part of the beautiful World Heritage Rainforest Area.
See the rainforest through their eyes, and learn about its cultural and traditional significance. Learn some of the bush medicine practices, bush tucker and other unique bush crafts, the Kuku Yalanji are true rainforest people who live in harmony with the environment, their culture has always involved respect for nature and it’s intimate knowledge of its cycles.
The knowledge that they will share with you has been handed down through generations of Fathers, Mothers, Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents.
Port Stewart - Lama Lama Homelands
We overnight at Port Stewart a former sea port for the Ebagoolah, Coen and Batavia Goldfields. We camp beside the Stewart River a recently declared Wild River, a pristine river system and
home of the Lama Lama Aboriginal people.
Our stay is made special because the Lama Lama Rangers pay us a visit and give some of their time and knowledge. We learn firsthand the history of the land and also their connection to the land, perhaps time for a stroll down to the river for croc spotting and bird watching opportunities. We will learn their methods of fishing, hunting and food gathering and Port Stewart being an open grassland and abundance of Wallaby & Emu.
The rangers now work with the land to maintain the healthy country so the environment is managed in the old ways. Weed and feral animal programs absorb a lot of their time and effort but there are other unique tasks the rangers undertake that we are sure you will find interesting.
