ESCAPE THE CHAOS
An unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature, abundant wildlife, and the mesmerising North Queensland starry nights, Rossville Retreat is a truly unique and authentic destination that shines a light on the unrestrained natural beauty of Australian bushland through the eyes of those who call the land home.
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early seven years ago, Sandy and Dave found themselves on Elcho Island, off the east coast of Arnhem Land, where they lived with the traditional owner and his family in the Dhambala community. Dedicated to immersing themselves in the Yolngu culture, the two spent their time learning as much as possible from the residents before, very slowly, being accepted into the family. After Dave was adopted by Mawalan II Marika – leader of the Rirratjingu clan, renowned artist, land care advocate, and teacher – he and Sandy were given the opportunity to embark on some truly incredible experiences. They camped at Yalangbara, listened to Dreamtime stories, drank the sacred fresh water from beneath the Yalangbara sand, hunted stingray, ate the bush tucker, and so much more.
Things to enjoy at Rossville Retreat • Little Annan River – Visitors have access to 10 km of
With Mawalan’s approval, Sandy and Dave shared their experiences, quickly receiving amazing feedback from people worldwide who were also interested in learning more about Indigenous culture. This inspired them to establish a retreat that provided a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to teach others about their culture and traditions, whilst getting paid fairly for their time and knowledge.
bushwalking tracks, a beautiful riverside picnic area, bird and wildlife watching, and fishing. • Lion’s Den Pub – Located 2 km from the retreat, it is a great place to enjoy a meal with live entertainment. • Cooktown – The historic coastal town where Captain Cook had first contact with the Guugu Yimithirr Indigenous people is a 20-minute drive and boasts many attractions, such as cafés, restaurants, museums, shopping, tours, and
Hence, Rossville Retreat was born. Located at the base of Cape York, off the Mulligan Highway at Kalkajaka National Park, 70 kilometres (km) north of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest, this authentic oasis offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in nature and culture in private, eco-friendly lodges or unpowered camp sites. Rossville Retreat is set in natural bushland, backing onto the Little Annan River and provides guests with access to a riverside picnic area, an all-weather private airstrip (Helenvale Airport – YHEL), and 10 km of bushwalking tracks, all overlooked by the magical Kalkajaka mountain range. For wildlife enthusiasts, the retreat has an abundance of native flora and fauna, and in the evenings, guests can revel in the most spectacular stargazing opportunities as they relax around the campfire. The retreat also prides itself on its Indigenous tours and activities, allowing travellers to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, such as their traditions, languages, Dreamtime stories, and bush medicines with world-renowned bush medicine expert, Harold Tayley – better known as Mooks.
fishing trips to the Great Barrier Reef.
Well-being workshops and retreats Rossville Retreat is overlooked by the magnificent Kalkajaka. Its idyllic landscape and uplifting energy lend themselves to many other uses and activities, including: •
Meditation and wellness retreats
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A wedding venue
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Healing retreats
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Banaji Dikkar Indigenous healing
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‘Connect to Country’ days
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School camps and cultural immersion retreats
DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT BUSHLAND HOLIDAY There are plenty of overnight options for your bushland trip! The most luxurious and enticing option many go for are Rossville Retreat’s 12 Eco-friendly Bush Lodges, perfect for those seeking a truly one-of-a-kind stay. These sustainability-focused lodges overlook the natural bushland, far away from any neighbours, making the only sound the call of the wild. Each lodge sits on a raised platform, maximising the breezes from the Coral Sea and allowing you to escape the modern-day chaos with an open-air bathroom, secluded front deck, and plenty of room to park your vehicle or even aeroplane. Each dwelling is the perfect environment to relax in, make a campfire, and witness the majesty of wildlife pass you by. The Bush Lodges have sustainable wastewater management systems and 12-volt solar power, allotting them zero-carbon energy emissions and making your stay truly incomparable. Each lodge has its own private camp kitchen with a 12-volt fridge, barbecue hotplate, and sink. There is also bush camping, which offers large unpowered sites with cooling sea breezes overlooked by mysterious Kalkajaka (Black Mountain) – making for the perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life. The camping sites follow a leave-no-trace policy, asking guests to take all waste with them upon departure.
EXPERIENCE AUTHENTICITY AT ITS CORE
With the construction of the lodges complete, Sandy and Dave are focusing on their passion – procuring a safe space and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to share their stories and culture. This will encourage positive interactions that connect cultures and create an understanding and acceptance of each other’s traditions.
Rossville Retreat is a proud community hub where both locals and tourists alike can come to experience unforgettable First Nations tourism experiences, including workshops, yarning circles, and traditional and Indigenous well-being sanctuaries. The retreat promotes the Indigenous tours and activities across its marketing platforms and gives 100 percent of the income earned to the facilitators, allowing for a partnership that encourages positive cross-cultural interactions, the enhancement of authentic Indigenous guest experiences, and the overall benefit of the local community.
Rossville Retreat’s goal and mission Goal
To offer a safe and supportive environment where locals can share their stories, culture, and traditions with guests, providing a genuine and authentic First Nations tourism experience that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life, with the intention to encourage cross-cultural friendships and create an understanding and acceptance of each other’s traditions. Mission To promote the recognition and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s stories, cultures, and traditions. To encourage Indigenous skills development, employment, and business creation, ensuring Indigenous tourism is driven by a skilled workforce that generates sustainable socioeconomic outcomes for First Nations individuals and their communities. Rossville Retreat strives to become the ‘go-to’ hub where facilitators can run projects and activities to support well-being and create community connectedness.
The Kuku Nyungkul Traditional Owners are keen to share their knowledge by facilitating cultural activities. These include a Welcome to Country ceremony in Kuku Nyungkul language, traditional Indigenous smoking ceremonies, bush food, bush medicine, and bark shelter walks, boomerang throwing, storytelling about the land, meeting places, and ancestors, traditional artefact sharing, and more. These immersive experiences are conducted by Mooks, a Kuku Nyungkul Indigenous elder who was initiated by his elders into an unbroken lineage of tribal healers and is the traditional owner of the country around Rossville Retreat. Known as a ‘Kuku bugga’ in the Kuku Nyungkul language, which means one who loves to talk, Mooks is a tour guide with over 40 years of experience and finds immense joy in sharing his knowledge of plants, culture, and the land. He helps people from all walks of life make a deeper connection to Country through the tours he provides. In Mooks’s 2 ½ hour tour, visitors can anticipate a Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony, a bush food and medicine walk, boomerang throwing, sharing of his personal handmade artefacts with personal stories, boomerang throwing, and a closing ceremony. His 1 ½ hour tour comprises a Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony, a bush food and medicine walk, storytelling, and a closing ceremony. Regardless of which tour you embark upon, be sure to pack your closed-toe walking shoes, camera, water, sunscreen, and hat for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will open your heart to the natural world around you.
Mooks Tayley who runs his own tour guide business at Rossville Retreat
Location Rossville Retreat is located just off the Mulligan Highway at 152 Shipton’s Flat Road, Rossville, only 20 minutes from Cooktown, at the gateway to Cape York and the Bloomfield Track in to the Daintree Rainforest and on to Cape Tribulation. www.rossvilleretreat.com