Two weeks ago TRC Janet Mackay and Penny Spoelder visited the spectacular Mossman Gorge, which is home to the World Heritage Listed Daintree rainforest as well as being home to the Kuku Yalanji people. Janet and Penny joined a Dreamtime Gorge Walk led by local Aboriginal guide Skip which included a traditional smoking ceremony, stories of the Kuku Yalanji culture and traditions, visiting a sacred ceremony site, insights into local bush tucker, medicine explanations, painting with ochre, soap making, billy tea and damper. “The Mossman Gorge Centre is leading the way as a world class eco-tourism visitor and interpretive centre offering interactive and memorable visitor experiences.” -says TRC Director Janet Mackay.
In 2012, the $20 million Mossman Gorge Centre was constructed with the vison of being an indigenous eco-tourism centre. On opening, Centre employment was at 90% indigenous staff, a figure retained today. The Centre employs over 90 people during the peak tourist seas (May-Sept) who guide tours, work in the art gallery and retail space or in the on-site café and restaurant. The centre sits on land purchased through the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporations (ILSC) Land Acquisition Program and the centre itself was contracted by ILC in collaboration with the local Mossman Aboriginal Community. Management of the Centre is overseen by ILSC and subsidiary Voyages and acts as a training hub for local people in tourism, hospitality and business management. Six traineeship courses are offered to Aboriginal people every year, with approx. 30+ training programs offered to Aboriginal people both locally and across a number of remote areas throughout QLD. Trainees reside at the onsite training centre and are mentored by senior Aboriginal staff in the centre.
Aboriginal Elders are proud of the Centre which now provides a point of welcome for the 370,000 visitors annually and supports both environmental and social wellbeing for the local community.
For more information on Mossman Gorge Click Here
