Hello! We are Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours
About

We the Mandingalbay Yidinji people are the Traditional Owners of both land and sea Country and have been living on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef amongst the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest for thousands of years. We have been recognised as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land by Native Title since 2006. Our tours and events provide visitors to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland with the chance to experience ancient lands through ancient hands. Mandingalbay Yidinji Guides cover topics of cultural significance, and lead interpretative walks, showcasing traditional use of natural resources used for medicinal purposes and sustenance.

Host Experiences
Hands on Country Eco Tour
From $69.50
Hands on Country Eco Tour

Cairns City, QLD 4870

Deadly After Dark - Sunset Cruise
From $59
Deadly After Dark - Sunset Cruise

Cairns City, QLD 4870

Customer reviews

4.9

24 reviews
Shantel N
Shantel N
a week ago

Highlight of our visit. After leaving Cairns pier, in a few short minutes you see a contrasting perspective of the natural beauty, cultural and environmental significance of their lands. We toured the waterways and tropical rainforest while learning about the ecological and traditional use of many rainforest species and the important work the they are leading to protect this beautiful part of the world. We also spotted two crocodiles and had some great laughs. Lovely day on the water and in the rainforest.

Gary V
Gary V
a week ago

This is an excellent tour, with friendly, engaging, and informative traditional owner guides. I was grateful for their welcome to the land that their families have lived on for generations, and for the insights they shared with us. As someone who has had a long-term interest in Australian cultural history, I valued being able hold and learn about the manufacture of traditional items and wares. It’s one thing to read about and see items in books and museums, but quite another to hold and learn about manufacture from people who know how it’s done. Feeling the weight of a bloodwood club, holding a rock-hard piece of tree resin that can be heated and manipulated to haft an axe or join blades to form an X-shaped boomerang, seeing how a woomera is actually used – wow! There’s nothing like “hands on” to really gain understanding. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cairns. For me, it was the highlight of our time here. Yeah, there’s the reef, and the rainforest, but there is so much more here in Cairns – take a glimpse of the depth of Australian culture that Mandingalbay tours offers you and gain a fresh perspective of Australia’s quite chequered post-European history. Along with meeting some great people, it will (hopefully) also leave you with much to think about afterwards, and I mean that in a very positive sense.

Louise Titulaer
Louise Titulaer
5 months ago

We just spent a wonderful morning sharing and experiencing a terrific Eco tour. Well organised ,easy access onto an open boat, travelled across the Cairns harbour to the inlet , learning all the time from the very informative guides, Alicia. We even saw crocodiles, as well as many beautiful local birds , and wildlife. Landed at a stunning shelter beside the Bund/wall. So much to learn and see. A comfortable and again informative drive to the Ranger station, where we partook in a welcome to country , smoking ceremony. Another great guide Vic , explained , taught and regaled us with great information. A terrific interesting walk up through native plants , trees , bush foods to a midden. Finished with a lovely fresh morning tea. A terrific experience all around A superb way to learn and share some indigenous culture. Thankyou all

Rhonda Smyrk
Rhonda Smyrk
2 weeks ago

We had a fabulous time on this true Indigenous Tour. 9am - Midday one. Definitely recommend people do this. The Indigenous ladies who took us on this tour are a wealth of information, with a sense of humour and fun caring nature. Thank you for teaching us many traditional Indigenous customs Rhonda & Cate

Joanne Norris
Joanne Norris
a week ago

What a truly special tour, the guides are incredibly knowledgeable about nature and the land and extremely friendly. The walk was beautiful and I learnt so much. A must do when you are in Cairns!

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Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours