I joined the Ngana Julaymba Dungay (Southern Daintree) tour, which led us to the serene, sandy stretches of Cooya Beach and the lush, ancient Mossman Gorge. Our guide, Aaron, a Kuku Yalanji local, had a way of bringing the land’s stories to life. 

Each step and every turn held meaning, as Aaron shared the traditions of his people, revealing their profound respect for the land, their knowledge of bush foods, and their reliance on nature as both provider and healer.

Our guide, Aaron, shared the traditions of his people, showing us their deep connection to the land, their knowledge of bush foods, and their respect for the environment that provides for them. 

At Cooya Beach, we even got the chance to try Aboriginal hunting practices, from spear throwing to mud-crab catching (though I can’t say we had much luck with the crabs).

After some solid physical effort, we settled under the shade of a tree to enjoy fresh tropical fruit from a local farm and warm, freshly baked damper.

One of the highlights of the tour was sampling seasonal bush tucker and learning about traditional medicines. 

Aron, who has a deep knowledge of bush medicine, pointed out edible fruit trees and medicinal plants hiding in plain sight. He introduced us to plants like Indian Almond and Noni fruit, each with unique uses.

We learned about a tree that produces a natural aspirin for hay fever relief, plants for sore muscles, headache remedies, and even a cure for motion sickness.

At Mossman Gorge, we were lucky enough to spot some incredible wildlife nestled within the dense rainforest and learned more about plants (including one we’d definitely want to avoid).

Every step of the tour was a chance to learn. I saw how the Kuku Yalanji people connect with and care for the land, using resources sustainably and respectfully.