Staff at one of Tropical North Queensland’s most prominent and successful tourism ventures have been given the devastating news that the whole enterprise is shutting down permanently.
After 33 years, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park near Cairns has become another indirect victim of the pandemic, which has throttled international tourism and hobbled domestic travel.
Tjapukai Dance Theatre was originally established in a rented basement, led by Djabugay didgeridoo virtuoso David Hudson with artistic assistance from New York theatre impresarios Don and Judy Freeman.
After a couple of years of notable success, it moved into a modern theatre at Kuranda and in 1997 it became the world’s first cultural theme park. In its heyday, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park was, reputedly, the largest private enterprise employer of Aboriginal people in Australia. It offered visitors insights into Aboriginal beliefs, history and culture.
The experience combined an impressive display of Djabugay artefacts: a beautifully made, hard-hitting 20-minute documentary charting the history (including the massacres and maltreatment) of the Djabugay; and a Creation Theatre where the belief system of the Djabugay was told in their language with the audience able to listen to translations in seven languages. There was also a traditional village, demonstrations of didgeridoos, bush food and medicine, and lessons in spear and boomerang throwing.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the industry’s thoughts were with the staff of Tjapukai following news that it would close.
“This will be a really difficult time for the staff both past and present who have made an enormous contribution to showcasing Indigenous tourism over the past 33 years,” he said.
“The closure of Tjapukai is a great loss to the tourism industry as it is a foundation product that set the benchmark for Indigenous cultural tourism experiences in Australia.”
TTNQ Chair Ken Chapman said it was a tough decision, but an understandable one with the uncertainty around international and domestic tourism.
“This demonstrates just how hard it is for businesses that are successful in the international market to continue trading.
“It also reinforces why tourism businesses need ongoing support to tackle the challenges ahead.”
Written by Peter Needham
