Tjapukai centre is missed by industry

The Far North is a unique location with vast amounts of culture behind its history. But for some time there has been a void in the tourism landscape that Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park left after it was permanently closed in January 2021.

While the parks doors have once again opened for large corporate and community events, plans for a full comeback are in the pipeline.

It is quite important, not only for the region’s cultural heritage and employment but also for the future direction of tourism in the region.

Indigenous tourism is a key offering for Cairns and its surrounds and the full return of Tjapukai would allow the Far North an opportunity to really showcase its roots. Indigenous tourism is a drawcard for the region that can be built upon.

It is evident through the success of Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours which has continued to grow and thrive over the past few years.

This is just one example of the demand for culture among tourists.

For a number of years, there have been calls for a cultural centre in Far North Queensland. Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch in 2021 said he didn’t want to see the iconic Tjapukai facility to go to waste and vowed to find out whether it could ever be resurrected.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning told the Cairns Post Tjapukai had viable tourism appeal and he hoped to see it reopen some time soon.

Reopening the cultural centre is still a priority for owner Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation, but movement on that front rests on the key role of CEO being filled first. Let’s hope that happens soon.