Thursday, 05 March 2020
The Port Douglas and Daintree region has been awarded the top ‘Best of Culture & Communities’ Award for the work of Mossman Gorge Centre at the 2020 Sustainable Destinations Top 100 Awards.
The region’s Indigenous eco-tourism development serving the Mossman Gorge World Heritage site in Far North Queensland was chosen for its leadership in protecting the culture and traditions of its local community and avoiding overtourism.
The Sustainable Destinations Top 100 Awards recognise innovation and good practices in tourism management of destinations and tour operators leading the way towards quality, attractiveness and sustainability in tourism.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia’s CEO Grant Hunt commented: “We are immensely proud to receive this prestigious award for the Port Douglas and Daintree region and Mossman Gorge Centre. Mossman Gorge is one of the few places in Australia where visitors can gain a genuine insight into the lives and culture of Australia’s Indigenous population. As well as facilitating this, our thriving visitor centre also delivers significant economic, employment and training opportunities for the local Kuku Yalanji people.”
Mossman Gorge Centre offers a busy Cafe, Art Gallery and Gift Shop and operates regular environmentally friendly shuttle buses into Mossman Gorge.
The Centre also offers one of Australia’s most authentic Aboriginal experiences: the Dreamtime Walk, which gives guests exclusive access to Kuku Yalanji country where they learn about the ancient rainforest, traditional plant uses and culture. The 1.5 hour walk includes a traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits, meanders through rainforest taking in traditional huts or humpies and a short live performance, and finishes with traditional bush tea and damper. An interpretive Indigenous guide provides a narrative of the rainforest and the Kuku Yalanji people’s special relationship with this unique tropical environment.
“To be singled out for best practice in protecting local culture and tradition is a great source of pride for us at Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, and a testament to the passion and hard work of the Mossman Gorge Centre team,” added Grant Hunt.
www.mossmangorge.com.au
http://sustainabletop100.org/
