AUSTRALIA
Introducing Jellurgal cultural centre
With international borders closed, this is now the perfect opportunity to embrace Australia’s culture and explore our own backyard like we would if we were travelling overseas. The Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre is an authentic, world-class experience and I wish we had visited sooner!
C
lack, Clack, Clack, Clack. The rhythm of the Bilmi sticks and the resounding echo from each beat as the sticks make contact is mesmerizing. After around 16 beats, Anthony begins singing a traditional goodbye song. It’s more of a chant really and the beautiful deep resonance of his voice in perfect time with the clapping sticks makes me feel a little emotional. We have been on the Walkabout Tour at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre and now that the tour is finished, our guide Anthony is singing us a thank you and goodbye song. It is a truly wonderful experience and I close my eyes for a while so that I can hear it without distraction.
50
The tour began at the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, located at the renowned Burleigh Headland on the Gold Coast, right next door to the popular family swimming spot at Tallebudgera Creek. Anthony greeted us and it wasn’t long before we headed out on our guided walk around Jellurgal, the Aboriginal name for the Burleigh Heads National Park headland. We set out on the popular ocean view track and Anthony engaged the kids with Dreamtime stories associated with the creation of Jellurgal. The kids loved one that featured a dolphin and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves with our feet in the shallows of Tallebudgera Creek.
Top: An experience at the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Credit: Destination Gold Coast