Wet Tropics - People of the Rainforest
Since time immemorial, the Aboriginal Rainforest people have been the original owners of the Wet Tropics rainforest. There are more than 20 Aboriginal tribal groups with ongoing traditional connections to land in and near the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. These traditional estate boundaries are different to the boundaries of the World Heritage Area, with each group having customary obligations for management of their country under Aboriginal law.
 

The cultural landscape is more than dots on a map representing isolated heritage sites. The landscape identifies Rainforest Aboriginal peoples' place within their country and reinforces their ongoing customary laws and connection to the country. The country is therefore embedded with enormous meaning and significance to its traditional owners.

Story places (natural features such as mountains, rivers, waterfalls, swimming holes, trees) are parts of the Wet Tropics landscape that are important to Rainforest Aboriginal people as they symbolise features that were created during the ancestral creation period (sometimes called the “Dreaming” or the “Dreamtime”). These places have powerful meaning and properties. They may be considered dangerous to approach or take resources from, except in prescribed ways or by the right person. These places must be respected. They must not be damaged and must be managed carefully by the expert guidance of the relevant Traditional Owners.

Attractions and Cultural Centres
There are a variety of ways to experience the Wet Tropics and the local Aboriginal culture first hand. A number of communities have developed their own enterprises that showcase their culture. Ask at the local visitor centre or tour desk about the range of award winning indigenous owned and operated cultural tourist businesses.

Source: Wet Tropic Management Authority - Rainforest Aboriginal Heritage