ABOUT ANCIENT JOURNEYS

Ancient Journeys is an Aboriginal-owned Aboriginal Art Gallery and Authentic Aboriginal Gift Shop located on the Esplanade in Cairns, Queensland. Our store is a treasure trove of handmade traditional and contemporary Aboriginal products, including boomerangs, didgeridoos, weavings, and clapsticks, as well as hand-painted homewares and original Gulf Art paintings. Additionally, we offer a wide range of beautifully crafted Aboriginal designs ethically reproduced onto Australian-made accessories and homewares, featuring "Made in Australia" labels, making them ideal gifts, especially for sending overseas.

Journey to the Dreamtime through our diverse and authentic collection of Indigenous art, gifts, and souvenirs, all ethically sourced from Aboriginal communities across Queensland and the Northern Territory. A selection of our items can be purchased in our online store, with an even broader assortment available in-store.

Founded in 2018 as a Gulf Project by the Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust (ADBT), Ancient Journeys is dedicated to empowering Indigenous artists from the remote communities of Normanton, Burketown, and Mornington Island in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria. Through art, we aim to empower these artists by showcasing their artwork in Cairns, providing them with a platform to reach a global audience. This enhances their visibility and supports their communities economically, allowing art to serve as a powerful tool for empowerment and cultural preservation.

Our collection also extends to a large selection of Indigenous books on arts and culture, as well as a vast array of bushfoods, traditional bush medicine, and fashion accessories from other Indigenous-owned businesses. All products in our store adhere to the Indigenous Art Code, ensuring that every item is authentically crafted and artists are fairly compensated.

The profits from all sales, including non-Gulf items, are channelled into funding other Gulf Projects through the ADBT. This ensures that every purchase not only supports the artists directly but also contributes to broader development efforts that benefit Gulf communities.

Nestled in the vibrant Cairns Art Precinct, Ancient Journeys serves as a cultural gateway amid the area’s rich Aboriginal heritage and dynamic art scene. With convenient access points from both the Cairns Esplanade, just down from the lagoon outside the Mantra Hotel, and a quiet courtyard behind The Courthouse Art Gallery, our gallery welcomes everyone who wishes to connect with the profound artistry and cultural heritage of Indigenous Australia.

In addition to promoting Indigenous art and culture, we also provide tourist information about visiting the Gulf Region of Queensland and The Daintree Discovery Centre. The Daintree Discovery Centre is another ADBT-owned business located deep in the ancient Daintree Rainforest—the oldest rainforest in the world. Just a day trip away from Cairns, this attraction offers an informative dive into the rich biodiversity of the Daintree, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore and learn about its ancient landscapes. Profits from the Daintree Discovery Centre are also reinvested in Gulf community projects, further supporting our mission.

We invite you to step into Ancient Journeys and experience the heart of Aboriginal creativity. By supporting Ancient Journeys, you are participating in a cycle of empowerment and development for Gulf communities—the right way, the sustainable way, the ethical way.

Welcome to Ancient Journeys!

 

ABOUT THE ABORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS TRUST

The Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust (ADBT) was established under the Gulf Communities Agreement negotiated between Century Mine, Queensland State Government and Gulf Native Title groups and was established to administer negotiated funds from the Century Mine, primarily for business development and indigenous ownership/investment in business.

Communities are defined collectively as the Native Title Groups (Waanyi People, Mingginda People, and Gkuthaarn and Kukatj People respectively, each for and in respect of their traditional country); and other Aboriginal people residing in the local government areas of Burke (Burketown), Carpentaria (Normanton), Doomadgee and Mornington Island.

The ADBT is a social enterprise and has emerged as one of the most effective economic development organisations in the country. ADBT’s sustainability has been achieved through owning a number of businesses including:

  1. Ancient Journeys - Aboriginal Art, Gifts and Tours
  2. World class Daintree Discovery Centre tourist attraction
  3. Burketown Pub
  4. Normanton Foodworks
  5. Doomadgee Roadhouse and Accommodation

To strengthen and grow its activities, ADBT is always seeking to buy or build other business opportunities.

Profits from ADBT’s business activities support and grow economic development opportunities and projects for the above Native Title Groups and Gulf Communities through community enterprises and loans to those wishing to start their own business.

ADBT - Empowering the Gulf Through Business

To find out more about ADBT see www.adbt.com.au

Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust - ADBT Logo

 

ABOUT THE DAINTREE DISCOVERY CENTRE

The Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust also operates the World Class Daintree Discovery Centre in the Daintree Rainforest. This centre offers an excellent starting point for your Daintree experience. It features a 23m canopy tower, an aerial walkway, reptiles, bugs, animated dinosaurs, a rainforest aquarium, a cafe, and more.

More information on the Daintree Discovery Centre can be found at Ancient Journeys or here www.discoverthedaintree.com.

 

ABOUT THE LOWER GULF

At Ancient Journeys, we proudly showcase a diverse array of artworks sourced from Aboriginal communities across the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria, located in the very north of Australia. Supported by the Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust, this vast region stretches from Cairns westward along the Savannah Way, through rugged landscapes and outback towns such as Doomadgee, Burketown, and Normanton. The area also includes the Bentick Islands, including Mornington Island, which provides much of our art. The stark contrast between the marine surroundings of Mornington Island and the arid outback deeply influences the artistic expressions of our featured artists. Among these landscapes is the Boodjamulla National Park, a gem in the Lower Gulf that offers breath taking views and a unique glimpse into the region’s ancient past.

Visiting the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria offers travellers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage that inspire our local Aboriginal artists. Positioned between the Northern Territory and Queensland on Australia’s northernmost coast, the region presents a striking contrast between the aquatic environments and the deeper, earthy tones characteristic of the dry outback. Each journey into this remote part of Australia not only enriches visitors' understanding of Aboriginal art and culture but also highlights the rich cultural narratives and deep connections to the land held by the Aboriginal communities. Influenced by the dramatic seasonal shifts between the wet and dry seasons, the artwork captures the diversity of the Gulf and the profound depth and beauty of Indigenous creative expression.

Where is The Lower Gulf?

Refer to the map below to pinpoint the Lower Gulf region and explore its treasures.

The Lower Gulf - Far North Queensland - Home of Ancient Journeys Artists.

Plan An Adventure in the Lower Gulf

For those with a week or so to spare, why not take a road trip out to the Lower Gulf along a part of the Savannah Way? This epic journey runs from Cairns and offers the opportunity to branch onto different routes back to Cairns for a circular adventure through the heart of Australia's remote north.

Highlights of Your Lower Gulf Adventure

You can start from Cairns ... Stop and enjoy the following along your way…

  • Innot Hot Springs Holiday Village: Enjoy a relaxing dip in natural thermal pools.
    • (07) 4097 0136
  • Undara Volcanic Park: Explore the ancient lava tubes.
    • (07) 4097 1900
  • Tallaroo Hot Springs: Unwind in more thermal waters.
    • (07) 4062 3021
  • The Gulflander Train: Experience a unique rail journey across the savannah.
    • 1800 577 245 (in Australia) +61 7 4036 9333 (outside Australia)
  • Delta Downs Station: Discover life on a vast cattle property.
    • (07) 4745 3433
  • Fishing in Burketown: Try your hand at catching Barramundi or observe the Morning Glory cloud phenomenon.
  • Yagurli Tours: Enjoy sunset river cruises, 4WD tag-along tours, stargazing, and more in Burketown.
    • (based in Burketown) ring (07) 4745 5111 for all Yagurli  tours
  • Unique Artesian Bore (sunk in 1896) in Burketown
  • Fishing the Nicholson River in Doomadgee
  • Fly from Doomadgee or Burketown to Sweers Island.
    • Savannah Aviation (07) 4745 5177
  • Boodjamulla National Park and Adel’s Grove: Camp and explore in a stunning national park setting.
    • (07) 4748 5502
  • Riversleigh Fossils Site: Discover ancient fossils in a world heritage-listed area.

This journey into the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria offers not only a stunning backdrop of diverse landscapes but also an enriching cultural experience, highlighting the profound connection between the land and the Indigenous communities that have thrived here for millennia.

More information on the Lower Gulf can be found here www.savannahway.com.au

JOURNEY TO THE LOWER GULF

For those with a week or so to spare, why not take a road trip out to the Lower Gulf along a part of the Savannah Way? This epic journey runs from Cairns and offers the opportunity to branch onto different routes back to Cairns for a circular adventure through the heart of Australia's remote north.

Highlights of Your Lower Gulf Journey

You can start from Cairns ... Stop and enjoy the following along your way…

  • Innot Hot Springs Holiday Village: Enjoy a relaxing dip in natural thermal pools.
    • (07) 4097 0136
  • Undara Volcanic Park: Explore the ancient lava tubes.
    • (07) 4097 1900
  • Tallaroo Hot Springs: Unwind in more thermal waters.
    • (07) 4062 3021
  • The Gulflander Train: Experience a unique rail journey across the savannah.
    • 1800 577 245 (in Australia) +61 7 4036 9333 (outside Australia)
  • Delta Downs Station: Discover life on a vast cattle property.
    • (07) 4745 3433
  • Fishing in Burketown: Try your hand at catching Barramundi or observe the Morning Glory cloud phenomenon.
  • Yagurli Tours: Enjoy sunset river cruises, 4WD tag-along tours, stargazing, and more in Burketown.
    • (based in Burketown) ring (07) 4745 5111 for all Yagurli  tours
  • Unique Artesian Bore (sunk in 1896) in Burketown
  • Fishing the Nicholson River in Doomadgee
  • Fly from Doomadgee or Burketown to Sweers Island.
    • Savannah Aviation (07) 4745 5177
  • Boodjamulla National Park and Adel’s Grove: Camp and explore in a stunning national park setting.
    • (07) 4748 5502
  • Riversleigh Fossils Site: Discover ancient fossils in a world heritage-listed area.

This journey into the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria offers not only a stunning backdrop of diverse landscapes but also an enriching cultural experience, highlighting the profound connection between the land and the Indigenous communities that have thrived here for millennia.

More information on the Lower Gulf can be found here www.savannahway.com.au