‘Gudamulli’ from Capricorn
The Capricorn Coast and its hinterland of Rockhampton is the traditional land of the Darumbal Aboriginal peoples. Offshore, the Keppel Bay Islands National Park is home to the Kanomi-Woppaburra people (The Keppel Islanders).
The Capricorn Coast region is proud to promote, protect and advocate for our traditional cultures, language and customs and celebrate the advancement of cultural tourism across our destination.
Below is a summary of the cultural immersion opportunities offered within the Capricorn Coast region.
Visit the Darumbal website here – www.darumbal.com.au
ROCKHAMPTON
Dreamtime Cultural Centre
The Dreamtime Cultural Centre based in North Rockhampton (near the Yeppoon Road turnoff) is the only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre of its kind in Central Queensland. Officially opened in 1988, the Centre commemorates the rich culture of our community and promotes greater awareness of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
Offering regular guided tours, educational visits and hands-on, interactive cultural activities including face painting, boomerang throwing, didgeridoo demonstrations, dance routines and promotional displays, the stories of the local Darumbal and Torres Strait islanders are well-conveyed.
There is an exhibition dedicated to local Aboriginal sporting achievements and paintings by the late artist Brian Fisher which highlights the fluid lines depicting kangaroos, goannas, platypuses and other wildlife.
And if you are continuing your journey through to Carnarvon National Park, you can get the heads up on the significance of the rock paintings found throughout the Gorge.
Mount Archer National Park
Nurrim (Darumbal word for Mount Archer) is part of the Darumbal tribe and every hill and creek is of special significance. Steeped in history, the Mount has a wealth of cultural heritage value.
Looking down from atop Mount Archer, the mighty Fitzroy River curls its way through the countryside, through beautiful Rockhampton and out to sea.
It’s a magical spot, as the memories of anyone who’s shared a picnic in Fraser Park, trekked along a bush trail or watched a sunset over our town can attest.
At 604 metres above sea level, Mount Archer is Rockhampton’s highest peak and boasts spectacular views of the city and surrounding ranges.
Local Darumbal Elder, Wade Mann conducts an ‘on country’ experience for visitors to the region by appointment. Wade is an educator, activist, community leader and passionate role model and this tour involves Wade sharing his Dreamtime stories and insights into the culture and history of his people.
Capricorn Caves
Capricorn Caves – one of the largest privately owned cave systems in Australia – offer a fascinating blend of geological marvels and indigenous history on every tour. Visitors can explore the intricate cave formations while learning about the cultural significance they hold for the local indigenous communities. Guided tours provide insights into the Dreamtime stories associated with the Caves, creating a unique fusion of natural wonder and cultural exploration.
Rocky Instincts
Rocky Instincts have been operating in Central Queensland since 2013 and provide a range of services which aim to enable everyone to embrace ancestral and traditional skills in a fun and educational way. Their services are designed to be extremely flexible and are changed to suit each person’s needs.
From school workshops, early learning, youth development, educational camps and more, Rocky Instincts goal is to help people learn basic (not easy) skills that have stood the test of time and embrace their instincts.
The team at Rocky Instincts work closely with Darumbal Enterprises and partner with our friends at the Capricorn Caves to offer exciting tour add-ons and school holiday adventures.
CQ Connections
CQ Connections have been passionately connecting people with places for years. First Nations employee, Kylie Johnston, proudly designed staff shirts for the business to represent the importance of connection.
“I wanted to reflect the great work Paul does within his business: connecting people with places. The circles with straight lines connecting with another circle means people travelling between places and arriving at a resting or meeting place. The symbols around the circle represent man, woman and persons: these are the guests of CQ Connections. The arrows are emu prints travelling around a landscape, as Paul does in his buses. I remember seeing the Emus and their chicks walking around Lions Park (near the Bowls Club in Emu Park) as a child. The sleeve of the shirt is the sand dunes, flowing rivers and creeks of Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton.”
CQ Connections cater for individuals to large groups who want to travel to, around, and from Rockhampton, Rockhampton Airport, Yeppoon, Emu Park, Capricorn Coast and the Keppel Bay Marina in safety.
CAPRICORN COAST
Joskeleigh township and museum
Joskeleigh, just 5km south of the beautiful Keppel Sands on the Capricorn Coast is a haven and home for South Pacific Islanders who fell victim to the sugar slave-trade of the late nineteenth century. Just 42kms from Rockhampton and 46kms from Yeppoon, this unique township fronts Long Beach on the Capricorn Coast from Pumpkin Creek to the mouth of the Fitzroy River.
The Joskeleigh Community Association established the Joskeleigh South Sea Islander Museum to promote the history of South Sea Islander people blackbirded to Queensland in the 1860’s right through to the early 1900’s. The introduction of the White Australia Policy ceased the black labour slave trade and many Islanders were then forced back to the islands. Of those that were allowed to stay, they no longer had a home anywhere, no jobs and they made their new home in Joskeleigh.
Run by volunteers and open by appointment only at this time, the museum strives to ensure the history of its people is never lost.
Great Keppel Island
Our Woppaburra ancestors were the first nation Aboriginal inhabitants of what are now known as the Keppel Islands which lay off the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland.
Prior to European settlement, Great Keppel Island was home to an estimated 60-80 Woppaburra and Ganumi people of the Darumbal nation, with century old middens testifying to the quantity of seafood found in the surrounding waters.
On a track between Long and Monkey Beach, there is an aboriginal sacred site. Recently the boardwalk at Monkey Beach was upgraded to protect the many hundreds of years of memories for the Woppaburra people – a project collaboration between Bunnings, Landcare Australia, Woppaburra Elders, Capricorn Catchments, Gen Yadaba and Livingstone Shire Council.
Woppaburra elder, Bob Muir shares his passion and knowledge of the local landscape here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7GLl2SZF3E
Please be sure to stick to the board walk on this hike in order to protect our cultural and sensitive sites.
Keppel Explorer
Keppel Explorer is the most comprehensive, #1 rated scenic boat tour island hopping around the Keppel Islands. Departing daily from the mainland at Keppel Bay Marina, explorers on board this small group, exclusive tour will learn about the Woppaburra history of the islands as the proud skippers share intimate details and get you up close and personal to Ba-la-ba (Middle Island), Ma-ma-lon-bi (Miall Island), Wop-pa (Great Keppel Island), Bur-ye-Bur-ye (Humpy Island) and Ko-no-mie (North Keppel Island.
The Keppel Explorer tour starts with an acknowledgement of country and during the tour, guests discover significant sites, what each island means to the traditional owners, the history of the Woppaburra tribe through to present native title claims. Keppel Explorer is currently in the process of developing a dedicated cultural tour which will include a presentation by elder Bob Muir.
High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm
Ever wanted to go off-grid? High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm offers a permaculture and self-sufficiency immersion focused on practical skills that you can use in your everyday life to reduce your impact.
The Farm places particular focus on delving into the dialogue and inner-work that is required to create a lasting cultural shift towards assuming our roles as custodians of the land once again.
Permaculture is a wonderful framework which can help guide our decision making toward a way of life that respects and works in harmony with Mother Nature, much that way indigenous cultures have done all around the world for millenia.
High Valley Dawn offers Sunday farm and bush tucker garden tours to the public, permaculture courses, along with paddock to plate experiences at Beaches Restaurant in Rosslyn Bay.
Jet James
Local Yeppoon artist Jet James is an award-winning Australian Artist recognised for printmaking, painting and designer gifts. Jet has won many accolades for his unique and highly sensitive artworks. Taking inspiration from the natural landscape, many of Jet’s pieces feature native wildlife and flora. Jet’s work is penultimately Australian.
Jet has brought many indigenous faces to life including ‘storm man’ – a portrait of David Gulpilil. Jet thought he was a fitting subject as one of Australia’s most iconic indigenous Australian actors health deteriorated. These pieces aid to celebrate his spirit.
Celebrating our Indigenous talent
The Capricorn Coast region has been the proud backyard of many home-grown talents from ARIA award winning artists, to popular NRL players.
Jeremy Marou Grand-nephew of Eddie Mabo, Jeremy Marou, makes up one half of Australian rock duo, Busby Marou. Proudly Rockhampton, Jeremy is of Torres Strait Islander heritage and came from a very musical family. We are so grateful to our local ambassadors, Jeremy and Thomas.
The Capricorn Coast region has been home to many of Australia’s popular Indigenous NRL talent.
With players including Matt Sing, Rhys Wesser, PJ Marsh, Sid Domic and John Doyle all completing all or part of their childhood football careers on football fields across our destination.
