People & Population
According to the Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary, Aborigine is defined as one of a race of tribal peoples ,the earliest known inhabitants of Australia and Indigenous as originating in and characterizing a particular region or country. Prior to the European invasion in 1788, there were about 600 and 700 distinct tribes in Australia speaking up to 250 different languages. Each tribe was made up of communities ,clans and individuals who lived and owned areas which are strictly defined. Each had their own language or dialect, known by a distinct name or customs practiced with their own rites and beliefs.
In the recent years, there has been a growing trend of Indigenous people compared to the rest of the Australian population in terms of number and proportion .According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics ,the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia was estimated to be 517,000 people at 30 June 2006, or 2.5% of the total Australian population. The aboriginal population had a median age of 21 years as compared to 37 years for the non-Indigenous population in 2006.
In 2006, around one-third (32%) of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population lived in major cities of Australia, 43% in regional areas and 25% in remote areas. There is a common misapprehension that Indigenous people mostly live in the bush, and it’s true that a bigger percentage of Indigenous people live in remote areas than other people. Overall though, most Indigenous people live in large regional centres and cities like Sydney.
Aboriginal Sites in Eastern Australia
Eastern Australian consists of 3 mainland states – Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The major cities in these 3 states are Brisbane and Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Over half of all Indigenous people live in New South Wales and Queensland. NSW has the largest Indigenous population in Australia (with 30%), followed by Queensland (with 28%).
Queensland
The Tjapukai Tribe,Cairns
Today Tjapukai is one of Australia's largest and most successful tourist attractions. It is a stunning theatrical and symbolic interpretation of a 40,000-year-old society that portrays the Tjapukai Aboriginal culture with dignity and pride. Visitors will experience the essence of life for the Tjapukai people - from the wondrous legends of the Dreamtime through to the present reality of today's Tjapukai people.
Recently Tjapukai launched its newest product ‘Tjapukai by Night' and now presents multiple shows and demonstrations in nine different arenas continuously from 9am till 10pm, seven days a week.
In addition, it is Australia's largest private employer of Indigenous people. An approximate 100 people are employed at Tjapukai of which 80% are Indigenous. Tjapukai is the largest Indigenous tourism commercial enterprise ever undertaken in Australia.
Their Culture
Tijapukai are often described as the “People of the Rainforest” and were nomads within their own tribal boundaries. They have have their own unique customs. For instance, they will practice fire stick farming which involves trading within the tribe or neighbouring tribes. As for their tribal law, the Tjapukai people are very adaptable. They cope with their own laws (lores) as well as laws of today. The Tjapukai community can be seen today as "Village in the Rainforest", one of the major tourists towns in the Far North Queensland. It is home to the majority of the Djabugay people.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Attracting many visitors worldwide, this cultural park showcases theatrical performances and engages tourists in interactive activities to learn the traditional culture and customs of the Tjapukai people.
Visitors can either opt for Tjapukai by Day or Tjapukai by Night. For the day programme, one for enjoy Tjapukai Dance Theatre cultural performances, watch Didgeridoo demonstrations, try fire making the traditional way in the Cultural Village and even give a shot at boomerang and spear throwing ,complete with a taste of bush food. As for the night activities, tourists can immerse in an evening of scrumptious buffet dinner and learn about the traditions of the aboriginal people through traditional dances, music and the telling of dreamtime legends.
The Riverlife Mirrabooka, Brisbane
Presented by the Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers,tourists can gain insight on aspects of contemporary Aboriginal culture by witnessing and participating in traditional songs and dances. They get to see primitive fire starting techniques,the playing of Aboriginal musical instruments (such as didgeridoos) and listen to Indigenous educational talks.
Having performed on an international level for 15 years, the group has gained much recognition from travelers in the United States and Canada.
Daintree cultural adventures
Another popular aboriginal site, the Daintree culture adventures allow visitors to learn about the natural environment and gain a glimpse into Aboriginal history, culture and traditions through the Aboriginal Guided Rainforest Walk. Aboriginal Art and Cultural Workshop are also run to give tourists an opportunity to paint their own Aboriginal inspired artwork using acrylic paints or ochre found on the property, while learning about the history, tradition and culture of the Kuku Yalanji people.
The art gallery,Injune
Travellers get to visit the Art Gallery which contains some of the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia while strolling in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park. The gallery contains more than 600 stencils and 1300 engravings and the Aboriginal rock art on the sandstone overhangs which serves as a reminder to the Aboriginal people who used the gorge for thousands of years for ceremonies and rituals.
Aboriginal Rock Art, Kakadu National Park
The Kombumerri People, Brisbane, Gold Coast
This group of people was the first indigenous group to settle in Gold Coast about 6000 years ago. Their heritage can still be appreciated through an exploration of this diverse region. The Kombumerri people once feasted at Burleigh Heads, the Yugambeh people lived in Mt Cougal and Springbrook’s many valleys, while aboriginals universally travelled through the Numinbah Valley when attending regular gatherings.
As Gold Coast’s leading native wildlife and coastal rainforest experience, it gives an a rare opportunity to get closer to the amazing native wildlife. Visitors get to savor delicious food, learn traditional culture and get close and personal with Australian animals. Aboriginal music, dance and cultural performances take place seven nights a week.
In a clearing of Melaleuca trees, visitors get to discover a fireside Aboriginal corroboree where you’ll see traditional dance. The haunting sound of the didgeridoo echoing through the Sanctuary’s natural bushland gives memorable experience.
New South Wales
The Wiradjuri
Being the largest Aboriginal group in New South Wales , the Wiradjuri cover a large area of land. Marking their territory by carving trees, they occupy a large area in central New South Wales, from the Blue Mountains in the east, to Hay in the west, north to Nyngan and south to Albury.Their lifestyle involves a “interesting” diet of meat like crayfish,fish, kangaroos, emus to fruit, nuts, yam daisies and even Bogong moths. Today, there is a Wiradjuri walking track thatfollows a route of about 30 kilometers, along the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Sydney
The scenic beauty of this iconic park of Sydney ,together with its rich Aboriginal heritage and a strong sense of history have attracted millions of walkers, boaters, swimmers and picnickers. Highlights of the park include the rock engravings, hand stencils and other Aboriginal sites
Mutawintji National Park
The park holds a significant importance to the lives of local Aboriginal people for a long time. It involved the struggles of the traditional owners of the land who were not willing to give the land up. Eventually, it was returned to them and now the Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council and a Board of Management oversees the operation of the park. Visitors can experience Aboriginal heritage through the features of the park.
Victoria
The Gunai /Kurnai people
The Gunai people were the first inhabitants of the Gippsland region. Swan Reach was the central corroboree point for the five clans of the Kurnai. Today, the region is rich in culture and heritage.
The Bataluk Cultural Trail is a wonderful insight into the culture and heritage of the traditional inhabitants of East Gippsland. It tells a story of where they came from and what they encountered .The local Koorie people are friendly in welcoming visitors and give explanations about their traditional lands and culture however they request for respect of their land and culture.
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