Daintree Dreaming – Adventure North

Niau Waterfall

Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours

Our day on Daintree Dreaming ran a little different from the brochured itinerary. As there was a high tide in the morning we headed straight up to a private property in the Daintree called Tranquility, where we followed a short walking trail through some beautiful rainforest up to Niau Falls. Troy, our guide, pointed out some rainforest species such as Wait-a-while, Strangler Fig and some ancient ferns. Once at Niau Falls we had time to swim, explore the falls or just relax in the rock pools. This place really lived up to its name. It was the epitome of tranquillity.
After about an hour here we headed back into the Daintree Village for our picnic lunch of ham, chicken, salad, fruit and the yummiest potato salad. Normally at this time we would have gone on a 1 hour Daintree River Cruise, but because we were all agents we skipped this part in favour of an earlier lunch.
Then onto Cooya Beach to meet Brandon Walker our teacher of Aboriginal hunting techniques. Before we headed off Brandon demonstrated how to use the spears. Some of us took up the option to try and hunt with a spear, the operative word being TRY, and headed off down the beach. As the tide had gone right out we were able to go quite a bit out and still remain in the shallows. Here we saw Sting Rays, fish and crabs. Brandon managed to spear a Sting Ray allowing us all to get a look at it up close before releasing it. We also managed to catch a Sand crab and Mud crab which we kept for our afternoon tea. We then headed into the mangroves where Brandon taught us how to gather food from this habitat. We found quite a few mangrove oysters, (which were consumed right then and there by some of the girls) huge Muscles and a rare Mangrove Lobster. All of which went into the bucket to be cooked for afternoon tea. The most exciting part of the day is navigating your way through the mud and trying to stay upright without ending up flat on your bum in the mud. On this tour…you will get right amongst it and you will get DIRTY. Although Brandon assured us that he could change the walk to cater those who are not as adventurous.
After we cleaned off we went walked up to the Walker home where Mum prepared our catch of the day. But first we got stuck into freshly baked Damper, cakes and sweet Pineapple before the main course of Oysters, Muscles, Mud & Sand Crab, and Lobster was brought out. Whilst we ate, Brandon brought out some pictures and pieces of bones and shells from Saw fish, Dugongs, and Turtles and told us stories of some of their hunting experiences. Brandon was perfectly honest and unapologetic when questioned on the way in which a Turtle has to be killed. This was no Mickey Mouse version of experiencing the Australian indigenous culture. It was real and honest and more importantly interactive.