100% Aboriginal Owned
Our Story
Cairns Esplanade, Queensland
Welcome to Ancient Journeys
Ancient Journeys is an Aboriginal art gallery and Indigenous gift shop, proudly Aboriginal-owned and located in the Cairns Art Precinct on the Esplanade, where culture, art and community come together. Established by the Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust (GREAT), it provides a platform for artists from the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria to share and sell their work.
All paintings and limited edition prints are by artists from Normanton, Doomadgee, Burketown and Mornington Island, reflecting their stories, traditions and individual styles.
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Handcrafted Art & Indigenous Gifts
Ancient Journeys also offers a range of handcrafted artefacts, including boomerangs, clapsticks, didgeridoos, sculptures, carvings, weavings and jewellery, alongside hand-painted homewares such as ceramics, bowls, vases and magnets. These are sourced from Indigenous artists and art centres, primarily from North Queensland and the Northern Territory, showcasing a diversity of styles.
Our gift shop focuses on Australian-made products, from homewares and bushfoods to traditional bush medicines, toys, books and fashion items. Many pieces are created by Indigenous-owned businesses, while others feature designs developed in collaboration with Indigenous artists. A wide selection is available online, with even more to explore in-store.
A Space to Explore
Every visit to Ancient Journeys offers an opportunity to connect with the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. When you support our gallery, your impact goes beyond a simple visit. You actively participate in a vital cycle of empowerment and ongoing economic development for Gulf artists and their local communities — always done the right way, the sustainable way, and the ethical way.
We invite you to explore our carefully curated collection, featuring traditional style paintings from the Gulf and authentic Indigenous products sourced from across Australia.
Our Purpose
The GREAT Initiative
Founded in 2018 as a Gulf Project of the Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust (GREAT), Ancient Journeys is a social enterprise supporting 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 work 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 cultural preservation.
Sales contribute to the continuation of other Gulf Projects through GREAT, ensuring that each purchase supports not only artists directly, but also broader community development across the region.
Discover the GREAT TrustOur Principles
What We Stand For
We are committed to ethical practice, cultural respect, and genuine community impact through every artwork we share.
Indigenous Art Code
Authentic & Ethical
We are a proud signatory to the Indigenous Art Code, guaranteeing every piece is authentically crafted and artists are fairly compensated.
Community First
100% Aboriginal Owned
We operate as a social enterprise, directly benefiting First Nations people and supporting community-led initiatives across the Gulf.
Local Craftsmanship
Australian Made
Our artworks and gifts showcase local craftsmanship, proudly handcrafted, printed, or produced in Australia.
Commitment to Authenticity
Ancient Journeys is a proud signatory to the Indigenous Art Code,
reflecting our commitment to ethical trade in Indigenous art and products.
We source responsibly, support fair payment to artists, and respect cultural rights
- so you can purchase with confidence.