The Mossman Gorge Centre, a new $20 million eco tourism development at the Mossman Gorge World Heritage Site, has been created by the Indigenous Land Corporation and will be managed by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.  The Mossman Gorge Centre will open its doors from 20 June 2012.

"This new Indigenous eco tourism development will better serve visitors to Mossman Gorge and will provide one of Australia's most iconic Aboriginal experiences in Tropical North Queensland," said Voyages Managing Director Koos Klein.

"It is the perfect option for visitors looking for a genuine, authentic engagement with Indigenous Australia," said Mr Klein.

The Mossman Gorge Centre is located at the top of Mossman Gorge 77 Kms north of Cairns. The Centre will operate a number of eco shuttles every 10 minutes from the Centre into the gorge. There will also be a Cafe, Art Gallery & Gift Shop.

"The eco shuttles represent a substantial investment and will eliminate the traffic and pollution issues that were emerging and will allow visitors a greater enjoyment of the serene atmosphere of the rainforest," said Mr Klein.

Guests can also enjoy one of two Dreamtime Gorge Walks. The walks offer exclusive access to Kuku Yalanji land and are lead by experienced interpretive Indigenous guides who demonstrate traditional plant use, identify bush food sources and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship with this unique tropical environment. The walks start with a traditional 'smoking' ceremony that cleanses and wards off bad spirits before meandering through stunning rainforest and takes in traditional huts or humpies. Visitors have the opportunity for a refreshing swim in a water hole and both walks end with traditional bush tea and damper.

Both walks can be booked from the Mossman Centre and operate three times daily with the shorter Dreamtime Gorge Walk at $45 pp and the Dreamtime Legend Walk, which gives visitors a more intimate look into the culture, spirituality and traditions of the Kuku Yalanji people and their unique connection with this ancient land, at $65 pp.

About Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and manages tourism and resorts on its behalf. Voyages offers unique experiences and cultural immersion in spectacular locations around Australia including Ayers Rock Resort and Longitude 131° in the Northern Territory, Home Valley Station in The Kimberley in Western Australia and the Mossman Gorge Centre, in Tropical North Queensland.

One of the key responsibilities of Voyages is to promote and sustain eco tourism, protecting pristine sites for many years to come. Voyages works collaboratively with local communities to assist them to exercise sustainable environmental tourism practices, respecting and supporting the local Indigenous cultures and offering employment and training opportunities to the local and broader Australian and Torres-Strait Islander Indigenous communities.

Profits from all business activities are re-invested in the Indigenous and resort experiences and through the various training and development programs in place around Australia.

Media enquiries
Karena Noble
Director of Public Relations
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
Karena.noble@voyages.com.au
0408 737 982