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Deadly After Dark Sunset Cruise
Highlights
- Embark on a sunset cruise from Cairns Marina, witnessing the sun dip behind the Great Dividing Range.
- Experience ancient Mandingalbay customs with a Welcoming to Country at the Stingray Shelter, connecting you to local heritage.
- Savour light canapés and cold nonalcoholic beverages as you glide through the stunning mangrove forests of East Trinity Reserve.
- Drift back into Cairns Harbour, soaking in the twinkling city lights reflected on the water's surface.
Enjoy a Sunset Cruise like no other.
As the sun begins to get low over the Great Dividing Range to the west of Cairns, meet your Mandingalbay Yidjinji guide and push off from Cairns Marina in our new, covered River Cruise vessel, bound for wetlands and mangrove forests of East Trinity Reserve.
Discover an Indigenous Protected Area where ancient knowledge meets latest science to deliver world-first conservation programs.
Cruise along an avenue of ancient mangrove forests. Upon arrival at the Stingray Shelter, enjoy the ancient Mandingalbay custom of a Welcoming to Country. Listen to Mandingalbay Yidinji rangers speak of ancient language, practices and traditional implements that are still made and used.
Light Canapes and cold nonalcoholic beverages will be served throughout the evening by their team.
After the event, cruise quietly through the beautiful mangrove lined waterways back into Cairns Harbour, revealing the beauty of the city lights from the water.
Nothing compares to this unique nighttime cultural experience.
Itinerary highlights
Exclusive access to a pristine Indigenous Protected mangrove forest and wetland environment.
Ancient Mangrove forest lined river system, across from the Cairns Marina. Escape from the city with exclusive access to the Indigenous Protected Reserve on the lands of the Mandingalbay Yidjinji people.
Tour details
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Available from 19 June 2025 to 31 December 2026
Features
Service facilities
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
- Companion Cards are accepted.
- Accessibility information and photos, including of a bathroom, room and/or floor plan on their website (can be emailed on request).
- Advise tour guides of the access needs of guests at the time of booking (includes pick up and drop off requirements)
- Assistance with booking arrangements (includes providing clear itineraries with written instructions on what to do at various destinations)
Communication
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
- Staff are trained in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges.
- Uses Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
- A quiet space is available at the venue/ facility.
Vision
Caters for people who are blind or have vision loss.
- Uses easy to read fonts in their signage and communication materials (Helvetica and Arial).
- Staff are trained in customer service for people with vision loss (training would incorporate way finding and communicating with people with vision loss).
- An appropriate area for toileting an assistance dog is available.
Hearing
Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Staff are trained in communicating with people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
- Grab rails in the bathroom
- Seating in common areas including reception area
Allergies and intolerances
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
- Modify their cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc).
- Staff are trained to respond to allergic reactions.
- Equipment to respond to anaphylactic shock such as epi–pens and defibrillator.
Operation information
Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours
Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours offers a powerful and immersive connection to Country, culture, and community.
Led by the Mandingalbay Yidinji People, the tours take you from the city to the sacred—across the Cairns Harbor and into the heart of ancient rainforest and wetland Country east of Cairns. Guests enjoy exclusive access to an Indigenous protected reserve.
Through storytelling, ceremony, bushwalks, and traditional knowledge, they share their enduring relationship with land and culture. This is more than a tour—it’s a living story of resilience, identity, and custodianship, delivered by Traditional Owners on their own land.
Sharing Culture. Walking Country. Living Story.
Join in for an unforgettable Indigenous eco-cultural experience.
Indigenous Culture
Tags
Accreditations
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ECO Certified (Ecotourism) by Ecotourism Australia
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Quality Tourism Accreditation
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Respecting Our Culture (ROC) Certified by Ecotourism Australia
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Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC
Memberships
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- QLD – Tourism Tropical North Qld
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