Ancient… remote… dramatic… and rich in First Nation cultural significance…
Experience Queensland’s Cape York in the most memorable way with Jarramali Rock Art Tours.
Meet tour guide and owner, Johnny Murison, in the little town of Laura about 4 hours north-west of Cairns. Then strap yourself into his beast of a 4WD truck for an adventure into his people’s traditional lands, also known as West Quinkan Reserve.
Johnny is a Kuku Yalanji man and traditional owner. He and his family hand-built a comfortable bush camp high above the surrounding plains, about 40 minutes drive from Laura. Johnny welcomes guests to his open-sided shack overlooking a vast and stunning valley of soaring sandstone escarpments.
While you drink in the incredible views, Johnny is busy making you a gourmet lunch of herbed chicken, salads and fresh bread rolls.
After lunch, join Johnny as you stride out along the escarpment towards what can only be described as the area’s most extraordinary cultural treasure.
Sheltered beneath the overhang is Magnificent Gallery – a 40-metre long display of ancient indigenous paintings, dated from between 1200 and 20,000 years ago.
The paintings are prolific – says Johnny – because this was an area of abundance and plenty for his ancestors. Among the 450 or so images are depictions of wildlife like kangaroos, fish and turtles… and ancient figures in ceremonial dress. It’s an extraordinary gallery – and just one of 10,000 rock art sites in the region.
You can join Johnny on a 4WD day tour to Jarramali – or see rock art the ‘rock star’ way on a helicopter day trip from Cairns.
There’s also the option to stay overnight – and while it’s not exactly glamping, everything is provided…. from tents, linen and bedding to fluffy towels (there’s a fabulous open-sided bush shower with running hot water). Jarramali doesn’t exactly offer glamping – but it’s bush comfort at its best.
As the day gently fades, Johnny stokes up the fire; cooks a generous camp oven roast dinner; then serenades you with the didgeridoo – its ancient voice echoing down the valley as sunset ignites the sandstone escarpments in fiery red.
