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“A significant part of their survival

and underpinning their culture, is

about living as one with nature.”

WORDS by Rosie Wang

norkelling on the Great Barrier Reef The Dreamtime Walk experience begins with a modern-day issues could use a dose of this teaching
or walking in the Daintree Rainforest traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony to cleanse and ward and understanding.
are activities that many enjoy when off bad spirits. Zayden explains that burning the One amazing tree the aboriginals use widely is the
Svisiting here. It’s always such a joy to paper bark allows the smoke from this spiritual Sassafras tree. Zayden shows us that by rubbing
commune with nature but understanding and wood to cling to you so the spirits can smell you. their leaves with water, it creates a foamy lather that
learning about what you are seeing can turn an As the smoky tendrils snaked around me the stress can be used as a natural mosquito repellent, for
enjoyable activity into a memorable lifetime and strains of ‘civilised’ modern living seemed to bite and sting relief, acne curer and wound healer.
experience. Through the Mossman Gorge Centre just dissolve away. The sap from the branches can be used also for
and their Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks I am about The relaxed stop, start, walking tour leads you muscle relief, adding to the already impressive list
to discover how the world’s oldest civilisation deeper into Kuku Yalanji land. Following gentle of natural medical applications.
(40,000 years) survived in the oldest rainforest tracks you weave through stunning, lush rainforest
in the world (135 million years) the Daintree and under twisting vines and ferns high above. At Tom tells us that it is even used for fishing!
Apparently, by dissolving the foam in a pool of
Rainforest. the onset, the guides ask the spirits in the forest water it deoxygenates the water making the fish
Here in Far North Queensland we do live in for permission and protection on the walk. The flounder on the surface. Our guides are quick to
paradise, but through the eyes of a civilisation big spirit guide who inhabits the big white rock in step in and with earnest tones they stress that even
surviving in it, it’s no garden of Eden. It’s an the Daintree Rainforest and overlooks everything though one could take out handfuls of fish, it is
environment filled with prickles, thorns and is called Kubirri whilst amongst the trees dwell the ingrained in them to only help themselves to what
poisons. If Eve had eaten a fruit off the tree in the spirits of their ancestors. So many wonderful stories they need. Once again, there’s that important
Daintree Rainforest she would have had to cook, and insights unfolding with every step. reminder of mindfulness and sustainability which
scrape and leach it with running water to rid it of By the side of the cool rainforest stream river we echoes throughout the walk.
its toxicity. As for Adam, he would have had to be stop to add water to different coloured mineral
careful not to catch his fig leaf on the sharp barbs of clays to paint our bodies. My amateurish efforts are As our wonderful tour comes to an end, we are
a ‘wait a while’ plant. a long way from the elaborate body paint patterns offered some traditional damper (a European term
that refers to bread made by the Aborigines for
I was introduced to my two guides, Tom (Creek), used by the indigenous people. Their designs hold many thousands of years) and a cup of tea, as our
who is the Team Leader for the guides and a ‘Guide significance, showing tribal and family affiliations, small group chats with ease.
in Training’ Zayden (Oui). They would take me with males and females even having their own
on an enchanting one-and-a-half-hour immersion special markings. I am pleased to hear Zayden’s training is going well
in the rainforest on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Our guides illustrate and describe ancient and he will soon join the four other fully qualified
Ngadiku in the local Kuku Yalanji language means techniques used for hunting, housing, cooking tour guides leading Dreamtime walks of his own.
Though younger, his enthusiasm shines and he is
stories and legends from a long time ago. It felt and first aid developed through time from the clearly proud to take the opportunity to share his
like I had my own private window into an ancient ‘beginning’. It strikes me that the rainforest is like
culture and their relationship with this very special a gigantic green-leaved supermarket, pharmacy and knowledge with us.
place. building supplier rolled into one As I leave Tom and Zayden, I am on a natural
The tour guides are linked with the local Kuku My Dreamtime experience even teaches me high. It heartens me that the Centre’s traineeship
Yalanji tribe where knowledge has been passed philosophy. Tom describes how the ‘wait a while’ program will continue to educate these future
leaders and storytellers. Informative, inspiring,
down through the generations. Close to their is nature’s way of saying ‘slow down’ as one has to authentic, I have had a wonderful morning and
home, they work in partnership with the Mossman unpick the barbs slowly from its thorny clutches
Gorge Centre which offers nationally accredited if you find yourself entangled. These lessons have thoroughly enjoyed this humble experience.
traineeships. These have been designed to assist played an important part in their survival and I would highly recommend!
in life skills, work experience and practical skills underpin their culture of living as one with nature.
with the goal of transitioning the students into full Mother Nature is called ‘murrja murrja’, which
time employment. I love the idea that as visitors we means ‘big boss’. “We must work in harmony with
learn about the rich cultural heritage from the true her, and everything that we take from her must mossmangorge.com.au
rainforest people, who live day to day in complete be done with respect and thanks,” Tom politely
harmony with their environment. reminds us. You cannot help but feel some of our

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 81