Discover Aboriginal Culture
on the Atherton Tablelands
TOUR DATES | This tour operates 3 days per week (Mon, Wed, & Fri) during the peak season (May 2025 - Sept 2025). |
DURATION | 5 Hours (see pick up and drop-off times below). |
PRICES | Adult - $160.00 Child - $100.00 |
tour information
Pick-up/Drop-off Schedule:
Cultural Discovery Tour
Atherton Tablelands
for more information or to make a booking click here:
Our Cultural Discovery Tour is educational, informative, and interactive!
We start the day by travelling to the Cathedral Fig Tree in Danbulla National Park for a 10am start.
We introduce you to the homelands of the Bundaburra-Yidinji Clan. This location involves a 200m return walk to view the magnificent Cathedral Fig and to learn about the rainforest culture of the Yidinji people, and the history of the area.
We then get back on the bus and travel to Lake Barrine.
At Lake Barrine we explain the traditional diets of Yidinji people.
We also take a short 100m return walk to view the giant Kauri Pines and explain the history of timber harvesting in the region and the impact is has taken on the Yidinji people and the rainforest.
We then take a long journey through the Tablelands, on our way to the open bushland region of the Mbabaram people at Watsonville.
We arrive at our culture park where we enjoy a light lunch amongst the serene bushland surroundings and learn about the early mining history of the area, and it's impacts on the Mbabaram people. We explain the tools and weapons used in the open bushland and have a try at using a traditional spear-thrower.
Our final stop is the Rainforest To Bush Tour Centre in Herberton, where you will have the opportunity to see photos and maps and read some historical documents that tie together all of information you have learnt on tour.
You may even like to purchase some Aboriginal art & crafts, gifts and souvenirs before finishing your tour, and returning to your accommodation.
about the tour
tour features
- 200m return walk to view Cathedral Fig Tree (rainforest walk)
- 150m return walk to Twin Pines at Lake Barrine (rainforest walk)
- 300m return walk at Watsonville Culture Park (bushland walk)
- Artefacts display, spear-throwing activity, didgeridoo demonstration
tour inclusions
- Local Aboriginal tour guide
- Fully air-conditioned tour bus
- Toilets at multiple locations
- Light lunch in the bush
- Art gallery & giftshop
LOCATION | PICK-UP TIME | DROP-OFF TIME |
Wild River Caravan Park | 9:00am | 2:00pm |
NRMA Holiday Park Atherton | 9:15am | 2:15pm |
Atherton Tablelands Information Centre | 9:20am | 2:20pm |
Yungaburra Information Centre | 9:40am | 2:40pm |
Bundaburra Experience
Cathedral Fig Tree
tour information
GETTING TO THE TOUR:
The Cathedral Fig Tree is located in Danbulla National Park near
the top of the Gillie’s Range.
DO NOT GET CONFUSED WITH THE CURTAIN FIG TREE AT
YUNGABURRA!
From Cairns/Gordonvale:
Head towards Atherton via Gillie’s Range Road. As you reach
the top of the Gillie’s Range, take the first right onto Boar
Pocket Road. Follow through onto Danbulla Drive until you
reach the Cathedral Fig Tree carpark.
From Atherton/Yungaburra:
Head towards Gordonvale via Gillie’s Range Road. Just before
entering the range, turn left onto Boar Pocket Road. Follow
through onto Danbulla Drive until you reach the Cathedral Fig
Tree carpark.
about the tour
The Cathedral Fig Tree is a significant place for the Bundaburra-Yidinji people.
Our tour begins with a warm Bundaburra welcome and introduction to Yidinji Country.
Our local Aboriginal guides will begin with explaining the cultural borders and Clan boundaries on a map, and the traditional customs associated with our cultural borders that we still use today!
Next we will take an easy 100m walk into the rainforest to view the majestic Cathedral Fig.
We explain our cultural connection to the fig tree and it’s important role in recent history.
You will learn about the Tableland’s early settlement and timber harvesting history and how it impacted the local Aboriginal groups, leading them to become more reliant on western food.
As we start to walk back toward the carpark, you will discover the many plants and trees along the way that were once used to sustain rainforest living.
As we return to the carpark, we will gather on the soft lawn area to sit together and interact with rainforest tools, artefacts, fruits & seeds, and view pictures that give us a glimpse of the past.
tour inclusions
- Local Aboriginal tour guide
- Self-drive to the Cathedral Fig Tree
- Talk on settlement and timber harvesting history
- 200m return walk to view the Cathedral Fig Tree
- Artefacts, photos, maps, and rainforest foods display
TOUR DATES | This experience will be commencing in 2025. |
DURATION | 45 Minutes (10:00am to 10:45am) |
PRICES | Adult - $37.00 Child - $25.00 |
Mbabaram Experience
Watsonville Culture Park
about the tour
Learn about the enduring culture and bush living of the Mbabaram people in a serene bush setting!
As your group arrives, you will be greeted with a warm Mbabaram welcome and our local Aboriginal guides will lead you to our cultural bushwalk.
Along the walk, we explain the many plants and trees used by the Mbabaram people for food, medicines, and bushcraft. You will see remnants of the early tin mining days and our guides will explain the impacts that mining and settlement has had on the Mbabaram people.
You will learn about the ongoing efforts that our families are enduring to keep our culture alive and preserved and the research that we are doing to recover lost cultural knowledge.
As we return from the walk, we gather at the display board to view photos and maps, cultural tools and artefacts and our guides will demonstrate the making process of our didgeridoo and the techniques we use to play.
We then go on to explain the traditional diets and hunting methods, and the different types of hunting weapons used in bush culture. Each participant will then have a try at using a traditional spear thrower to throw spears at our cardboard kangaroo!
Once we have completed our spear-throwing activity, we will stop to enjoy some light refreshments consisting of homemade lemon myrtle teacake, damper, a fresh fruit platter, and either a tea, coffee, or cold juice.
We will finish off the day with an Aboriginal dot art workshop where our guides explain the importance of art in our culture and instructing the group on painting techniques and symbols used in Aboriginal art.
Each participant will then paint their own interpretation of Aboriginal dot art. After the activity is complete, you will sign your artwork and keep it with you to take home!
for more information or to make a booking email:
Groups are required to make their own way to the Watsonville
Culture Park. It is located 10 minutes west of Herberton on the
Herberton-Petford Road.
Directions:
From Herberton, turn onto Herberton-Petford Road near Mount St.
Bernard College. Follow for 10km until you reach a causeway. Turn
left onto the dirt road after the causeway and follow the signs into
the Watsonville Culture Park.
If you see a windmill in the middle of the road, you have gone too
far!
GETTING TO THE TOUR:
tour information
- Local Aboriginal tour guide
- Self-drive to the Watsonville Culture Park
- Eco toilet on-site
- Light refreshments (cakes, fruit platter, beverages)
- Optional camping afterwards
- Let us know at the time of making your tour
enquiry to discuss your camping options.
(extra fees will apply)
- Let us know at the time of making your tour
tour inclusions
tour features
- Talk on settlement and tin mining history
- 300m return walk through the nearby bushland
- Learn about plant use (food, medicine, bushcraft)
- Tools, Artefacts, photos, and maps display
- Spear-throwing activity
- Didgeridoo demonstration
- Aboriginal dot art workshop (keep your artwork!)
reservations@rainforesttobush.com
AVAILABILITY | This Experience is only available to private group bookings |
TOUR DATES | Dates are subject to tour guide availability and an enquiry |
DURATION | 3 Hours (morning or afternoon options) |
PRICES | Adult - $93.00 Child - $62.00 |
AVAILABILITY | Camping space is limited and is only available when the park is not booked by a private group. |
SITE DESCRIPTION | Open space camping. Self-contained camping only. |
PRICES | Private groups adding an overnight camp onto a tour booking will pay $300 in addition to their tour fee. An individual site is $20 and is limited to 1 vehicle per site, and up to 5 people per vehicle. For vehicles with more than 5 seats, an additional $5 per person will apply. |
Camping is available for private groups who have booked either the
Cultural Discovery Tour or the Mbabaram Experience and are wishing to
stay overnight. Please discuss this with our reservations staff when
enquiring about a group tour. Night activities are also avaialable to add on
to your overnight experience (see below).
Individual camping is also available for travellers, family, and friend groups.
All camping is off-grid. Power, water, toilets and showers are not available
to campers (Self-contained camping only).
We have a large open park area where you can choose your own spot to
set up camp. Use of generators are permitted between the hours of 9am
and 9pm.
The park features a small walking trail, nearby creek (seasonal), a
communal firepit and plenty of firewood for you to use (strictly no private
campfires!)
general information
Watsonville Culture Park
Watsonville, QLD
Campground rules:
CAMPING
It is a place where we can preserve our traditional knowledge, teach our young kids, and practice our culture away from the influences of modern society. We warmly welcome cultural groups such as Men’s and Women’s groups, Ranger teams and research groups to utilise this space for ceremony, cultural practices, and environmental studies.
We also use this area to conduct tour activities and overnight camps.
The Watsonville Culture Park is where we conduct our cultural training, research, and tourism activities.
All camping enquires must be made by emailing us at:
reservations@rainforesttobush.com
- Generators may be used between the hours of 9am and 9pm.
- Loud noise is not permitted between the hours of 9pm and 9am.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Pet droppings must be removed or buried in the bush away from the campgrounds.
- All rubbish must be removed at the end of your stay (no bins are provided).
- Parties are strictly prohibited. Quiet, responsible drinking is allowed.
- Fires must be kept inside the communal firepit and shared with other campers. NO PRIVATE CAMPFIRES!
Our park is surrounded by bushland and we have many species of wildlife that live here, as well as neighbours.
We ask for respectful, and responsible camping only.
HOW TO BOOK A CAMPSITE:
Media Gallery
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1.Rates
2.Group Policy
3.Booking Confirmation
4.Payment
5.No Refund Policy
6.Cancellation and Rescheduling
7.Participant Responsibilities
8.Health and Safety
9.Changes to Itinerary
10.Photography and Media
11.Governing Law
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Terms & Conditions
Food Disclaimer:
Rainforest To Bush Cultural Experiences is pleased to offer a unique and immersive cultural experience, including the provision of traditional food products. However, it is important for participants to be aware that we are not a licensed food provider.
Any consumption of the food products offered during our tours is strictly at your own risk. Rainforest To Bush Cultural Experiences does not assume any responsibility for the safety, quality, or suitability of the food products provided. Participants are encouraged to exercise their discretion, taking into consideration any personal dietary restrictions, allergies, or health conditions.
While we make every effort to ensure that the food products align with traditional and cultural practices, Rainforest To Bush Cultural Experiences cannot guarantee the absence of allergens, contaminants, or other factors that may pose a risk to individuals with specific dietary needs or restrictions.
Participants are advised to inquire about the ingredients used in the preparation of food products and to communicate any concerns or restrictions to our staff in advance. It is the responsibility of participants to make informed decisions regarding the consumption of food products during our tours.
By engaging in our cultural tours and partaking in any offered food products, participants acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with food consumption, releasing Rainforest To Bush Cultural Experiences and its staff from any liability related to adverse reactions, health issues, or other consequences arising from the consumption of our food products.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a safe and enjoyable cultural experience with Rainforest To Bush Cultural Experiences.