General News
14 May, 2026
New era in cultural tourism
A NEW visitor hub and tour experience nestled in the Daintree Rainforest has finally opened its doors marking a new era in cultural tourism.
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation has formally opened the Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub visitor centre at Cape Tribulation, heralding it as a gateway for visitors to experience First Nations culture.
The visitor centre is the first stage of the $4.8m Cape Tribulation tourism hub, which will provide direct employment, visitor accommodation, event and training spaces.
The hub is owned and operated by Jabalbina and will support a range of socioeconomic programs, including the development of cultural tourism businesses, a cultural heritage program and an employment and training drive.
Along with the hub, Jabalbina launched Yalada Tours, which offers unique eco-cultural journeys through Eky Country. Yalada provides guests the opportunity to form lasting connections and understand the two World Heritage sites of the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef through the eyes of the world’s oldest living culture.
“The opening was a long time coming,” Jabalbina chairwoman Laurel Denman said.
“This is exciting news for Eastern Kuku Yalanji, for the tourism industry and for the region,” she said.
“This resets cultural tourism in our region. A range of commercial ventures and social programs will now flow from the centre.
“To finally have an Indigenous-owned tourism business based on Eastern Kuku Yalanji Country, led by Eky Bama and extending north of the Daintree River, is something we are very proud of.
“We look forward to working closely with the Cook and Douglas shires and the industry in developing sustainable cultural tourism offerings.”
Jabalbina chief executive Josh Paterson said the opening of the hub allowed for strategic concentration of multiple existing programs, as well as exciting future endeavours.
“This is part of a broader and co-ordinated strategy to sustainably develop the region’s cultural tourism experience,” he said.
“It’s part of our partnership with all levels of government to renew the visitor experience in culturally and environmentally sustainable ways that benefit traditional owners.
“A host of socio-economic programs already operating can now be centred on the tourism hub, including training and employment, youth justice, and healing programs,” he said.
“In this way we’ll marry economic development with our broader social agenda, ensuring our investment is culturally sustainable.”
Designed by CA Architects and COX Architecture, the structure reflects the rainforest environment with a design that includes a gathering and storytelling space, a sweeping canopy and elevated sustainable construction.
The hub was funded by $3.5m in funding from the Australian Government and $1.34m from the Queensland Government.
