future families | Learning
Indegenous Immersion
Cape York First Nations Immersion
FCJ College Benalla (partnering with Sacred Heart Yarrawonga)
Monday, 18th Aug - Tuesday, 26th Aug 2025
Melsonby, Buru & The Reef
“Our students will connect and learn from the custodians of the oldest surviving culture in the world. They will give their time & passion, and bring back a rich understanding of First Nations People”.
For the first time, FCJ College Benalla is giving students the chance to travel to the remote First Nations homelands of Cape York. Students will have the rare opportunity to make real connections with First Nations People living on their own land who have maintained a deep connection to their culture and history. They will learn from Elders and Traditional Owners, and play with young First Nations children eager for a window to the outside world. The group will stay in safe areas on privately held First Nations land, not accessible outside of this setting. They will learn, make, gather, eat, give, grow and connect with Traditional Owners and First Nations People.
Cape York Homeland Spirit Itinerary
Itineraries are subject to change. We provide a final itinerary a week before your immersion which considers factors such as weather, Homeland availability and road accesses which may have changed right before your travel. After receiving a final itinerary please know that changes during immersion can be common due to similar factors.
Melsonby, Buru and the Reef (9 days)
Day 1: The Journey Begins
- Catch an early flight to Cairns, where your adventure kicks off with a sunrise in the sky. After being met at the airport by our Red Earth Leaders you will travel on a scenic bus trip to Melsonby via Mount Malloy - a journey through ever-changing landscapes.
- Experience a warm Welcome to Country ceremony, hosted by locals excited to share their land with you.
- Set up camp on country, letting nature's beauty and inspiring lives of the local be the backdrop for your memorable stay.
Days 2 to 3: Melsonby Homeland (mel-son-bee)
- Be welcomed to this well-established Ranger Station which works closely with multiple Universities on fascinating projects - one being the extensive Rock Art in the area.
- Archaeologists have spent a lot of time at Melsonby and identified a range of unique stone artefacts and tools. Students can shape their own Stone Artefacts and grind Ochre.
- Take the opportunity to walk with the local rangers to the sacred sites of the Medicine Man rock art and the Scar Tree - unpacking the stories that surround these important sites
- Spend time exploring the history of the local waterways and Indigenous connection to country.
- Try your hand at catching a Barramundi using traditional knowledge and techniques
- Learn the skill of wildlife tracking and how traditional owners manage invasive species in the environment.
- Gain first-hand knowledge of bush tucker and understand the myriad of uses of local plants.
- Take in the expansive views with a walk to a homeland lookout.
- Contribute to a community service project
- Take part in traditional craft workshops with Elders (may include making spears, digeridoos, stone artefacts, and painting with ochre, or weaving a dilly bag from natural pandanus materials)
- Prepare an underground oven for a Gurrma Feast
- Sit out with the rangers and traditional owners under the huge night sky sharing stories around the campfire.
Days 3 to 7: Transit to Buru Homeland (boo-roo)
- Pack up camp and say farewell to the rangers at Melsonby.
- Travel to your new homeland via the community of Wujal and experience a Welcome to Country by the Traditional Owners of this Community at the beautiful Wujal Waterfalls. Set up Camp in the community sharing a Barbeque with members at the local Youth Centre.
- Spend a morning with the Walker sisters who are the traditional owners and have worked with Red Earth for over a decade. They will show you around their home, introducing you to all the different people that make up this resilient and established community. They will show you the vibrant Bloomfield School, Youth Centre, Health Centre, the site of the now destroyed Arts Centre, the historic church and the playing fields that were again destroyed in the floods. Wujal is a place in recover and they are excited to share their hopes and dreams for the future. Lunch at the Falls.
- In the afternoon of day four prepare yourself to hike in an out of this stunning hillside Daintree Homeland and be welcomed to country on arrival by Eddie at Buru who really looks forward to sharing his extensive knowledge and love of this magical area.
- Learn about the fragile balance of sustainable farming and traditional techniques practised.
- Artefact making and fishing in the local creek.
- Forage for bush tucker and learn some local language.
- Hear dreaming stories by the campfire at night and the history that surrounds these forests.
- A whole day visit to Caterpillar Dreaming- a male sacred site situated above the river. Meaningful Community Service project.
- Swim in the safe, refreshing clear waters high above the falls.
- Nightly reflections on the immersion.
Days 7 to 8: The Great Barrier Reef
- After saying farewell to Eddie and his mob at Buru, hike down through the magical forest via the community of Wujal and experience a Welcome to Country by the Traditional Owners.
- Journey South setting up camp on the outskirts of the rain forest in Cairns in our own private camping area for the last two nights of your immersion.
- After your memorable time on Country…. another adventure awaits. Explore this amazing region on a full-day snorkelling tour on the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the Great Barrier Reef. This incredible area will be brought further to life by your marine biologist and cultural guides who will accompany you on board.
- Final reflection and debrief
Day 9: Return Home
- Say your final farewells to your Red Earth Leaders and fly out of Cairns home.
