AussiePOD: Aussie Picture Of the Day

In 1987, a cross-cultural group of entertainers created Australia's first Aboriginal dance theatre in the small village of Kuranda, near Cairns. Operating out of a hastily renovated shopping centre basement, the Tjapukai Dance Theatre offered the first ever opportunity for visitors to experience and interact with Australia's 50,000-year-old culture. Today, Tjapukai's show business has become the most awarded Aboriginal cultural attraction in Australia and is credited with enhancing reconciliation locally, nationally and internationally.

Tjapukai showcases the culture of the rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland. Situated on 25 acres of land owned by the Tjapukai people at Caravonica, north of Cairns, The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a stunning theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal culture from the beginning of time into the future. Seven separate arenas allow visitors to experience every facet of the rainforest people's culture - from the provocative History Theatre to the inspiring Creation Theatre, and the original Dance Theatre and the interactive Camp Village, where visitors can learn didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing.

In July 1998, Australian PM John Howard presented the new generation Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park at Smithfield - now the largest private employer of Aboriginal Australians - with a plaque celebrating their achievement as Australia's foremost cultural ambassadors.