ABOUT ANCIENT JOURNEYS

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.

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 Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust (GREAT), 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 GREAT. 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 heart of the Cairns Art Precinct, Ancient Journeys is perfectly positioned among the city’s vibrant cultural landmarks. Located next to the Mulgrave Art Gallery on the Esplanade and connected by a walkway to both the Courthouse Art Gallery and the Cairns Art Gallery, our gallery is at the centre of this thriving artistic hub. Unlike the other galleries in the precinct, Ancient Journeys is also a shop where every item is for sale and ready to go home with customers, offering a unique opportunity to take a piece of Indigenous art and culture with you.

Whether entering from the Esplanade near The Mantra Hotel (just down from the Cairns Lagoon) or through the peaceful courtyard behind the Courthouse Art Gallery, visitors will find a welcoming space to explore the rich artistry and cultural heritage of Indigenous Australia.

In addition to showcasing Indigenous art and culture, Ancient Journeys provides information on exploring the Gulf Region of Queensland and the Daintree Discovery Centre, also managed by GREAT. Situated in the ancient Daintree Rainforest, the centre offers insights into the region's biodiversity and is an easy day trip from Cairns. Profits from the Daintree Discovery Centre are reinvested into Gulf community projects, creating a meaningful connection between art, culture, and community support.

Welcome to Ancient Journeys!

OUR MISSION STATEMENT -  The staff and management of GREAT and Ancient Journeys will create an enterprise culture that fosters economic empowerment through art and associated business.