Rainbow Serpent Aboriginal Rock Art Tour & Cooktown Tour - Air Tour, Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Cairns Tours

The word 'Bama' (pronounced Bumma) is widely used throughout Far North Queensland to mean an Aboriginal person, but in both Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr tribes, the word simply means 'person' regardless of nationality or race.

You will journey along story-lines through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest and hilltop Savannah. In sharing these stories with you will gain a greater understanding of our area’s rich Aboriginal history and culture and to add to your enjoyment whilst exploring our beautiful corner of Tropical North Queensland. You’ll learn so much more from the three Aboriginal-owned and operated tours. Please do come and become part of the story!

• Flights from Cairns to Cooktown
• Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour with Guurrbi Tours
• All airport transfers
• Lunch at Nature Powerhouse Museum in Cooktown including entrance fee
• Free time to explore Cooktown

You will be collected from your Cairns accommodation to depart from Cairns General Aviation for a 35 minute flight with Skytrans Airlines to Cooktown. Enjoy the spectacular views as you fly along the coastline between World Heritage rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

On arrival you will be met by Guurrbi Tours and driven to the outskirts of Hope Vale for the Rainbow Serpent Tour with Nugal-warra Elder, Willie Gordon. Willie, the traditional story-teller of the Nugal-warra clan will take you to see the best of the Nugal Aborigianl Rock Art Sites, set in stunning countryside high in the hills above Hope Vale. You’ll visit six sites, including the Reconciliation Cave and an ancestral Birthing Site, where Willie shares the stories behind the art. You will hear stories which can only be told by Elders of the Nugal clan. Here Willie will explain how the paintings speak of the essence of life and the lore of his people. With his great smile and infectious laugh, Willie will give you an amazing insight into Aboriginal society and spirituality. The tour includes an estimated 30-minute bush walk on generally easy terrain. Water is provided and cameras are welcome.

Return to Cooktown at 1.15pm where you will be taken to the Nature Power House Museum for a delightful lunch at the Verandah Café. Browse through Nature Lover's bookstore, local artworks and souvenirs. Entrance to the gallery is included. Nature's Powerhouse is home to a priceless collection of botanical illustrations of flowering plants of the Endeavour River. Painted by Internationally recognized artist Vera Scarth-Johnson, they were donated to the people of Cooktown before her death in 1999. The Powerhouse is also home to a remarkable exhibition of local wildlife bequeathed to Cooktown by Charlie Tanner, who dedicated his life to recording information about the reptiles and bio-diversity of Cape York Peninsula.

Enjoy free time to explore Cooktown before being transferred to Cooktown Airport for your return flight to Cairns departing at approximately 5.20 pm on the afternoon. On your return to Cairns you will be met at Cairns General Aviation and transferred back to your accommodation, arriving at approximately 6.00pm.

• Adult AU$569.00
• Child 9 (3 – 14 years of age) AU$499.00

• Covered (closed-in) walking shoes must be worn
• Beach shoes for walking in water (Coastal Beach Walk)
• Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
• Cameras are welcome on all tours

Rates are per person and in AU$. Rates are valid from the 01st of April 2012 through to 31 March 2013. Tours are not suitable for children under 3 years of age. All tours are subject to weather conditions. All times are approximate and are subject to change.