Put the phone down!
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I recently got to go on an Aboriginal camping trip in Laura, Queensland, and I have to say it might have been one of the best experiences ever.
To start, there were no phones or watches allowed.
Not even for the over five-hour drive we had from Cairns to Laura! We were totally tech-free and had nothing but each other to keep ourselves entertained. But, worry not!
We travelled by bus up to the camp, home to the Kuku Yalanji (Coo-Coo Yah-Lan-Gee) tribe. To be welcomed onto their land was so special and we had two elders, Uncle Russ and Uncle Ralph, join us for the whole trip. They showed us around and taught us traditional uses for all things living and non-living on Country.
It seemed like every plant around us had a use that we would have never even thought of! Out of respect for the Kuku Yalanji people, and the elders past, present and emerging, I am not able to share the knowledge I was told while on this camping trip. I can, however, share the pictures below and what I learned while away.
For starters, I learned that I don’t need my phone as much as I thought.
It sounds like a “yeah duh” moment, but really, I barely even missed it!
Those endless hours I usually spend scrolling Instagram or Tiktok were replaced with bracelet making, swimming and just getting to talk. After spending every day with each other for the last month, I didn’t think we could get any closer than we already are. But somehow we did it! Silly jokes, wrestling in the creek, throwing boomerangs together and just sitting in each other’s presence around the campfire. It was an idyllic scene, and we didn’t need a phone to do it!
Maybe I am a morning person?
No phones equal no alarms. And usually, I’m a two alarm MINIMUM girl. But while on Country, I woke to the sound of birds outside our cabin at 6AM every day. Yes, every day. And you know what, I didn’t even mind. I got to watch the sun rise almost every morning, which was pretty magical. Imagine the sun peeking over mountains, through trees and slowly lighting everything up. It was even better than whatever you just pictured.
One morning, I even got to see a dingo chasing a kangaroo across the campsite! I had been wanting to see a dingo the whole time we’ve been in Australia, and I finally got to see one. All because I woke up early! Who knew there might be some benefits to being a morning person…
I am pretty bad at arts and crafts.
If you can’t tell by face, the boomerang that I’m painting was not looking too good. I was attempting to recreate some of the rock art that we were seeing, and maybe add in some dot art of animals? Whatever my intention was, it did not turn out the way I expected.
I always knew I have never been the most artsy person, but being surrounded by people very very good at art showed me how mediocre I am at simply outlining things haha!
But it wasn’t the art that was important to me; it was spending time with other people and watching as their visions came to life a lot more clearly than mine. We spent hours working on these boomerangs (some making more than one), and they all looked amazing.
We spent hours making these boomerangs together and even learned how to throw them (I was much better at this than painting) from Uncle Russ. He explained the importance of boomerangs and how the different shapes were used for different habitats. It felt really special to be included in his knowledge, and to be part of a practice used for thousands of years.
The most important thing I learned while on this camping trip was that land is so much more than grass and trees. It holds culture, stories, memories, and traditions. If you’re ever lucky enough to travel to Australia, make sure you plan time to meet with Aboriginal tours, elders, and people. They have so much to teach and we have so much to learn. I know that I’ll hold this time very near my heart for the rest of my life.
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