Wujal Wujal
| Wujal Wujal Queensland | |
|---|---|
 Sign welcoming people to Wujal Wujal, having travelled from the south along the Bloomfield Track | |
| Population | 326 (2006 census)[1] |
| • Density | 16.349/km2 (42.34/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 4895 |
| Area | 19.94 km2 (7.7 sq mi) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Aboriginal Shire of Wujal Wujal |
| State electorate(s) | Cook |
| Federal division(s) | Leichhardt |
Wujal Wujal is a small Aboriginal community on the north and south sides of the Bloomfield River in northern Queensland, Australia. It has an area of 19.94 square kilometres of land. At the 2006 census, Wujal Wujal had a population of 326.[1]
It is located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Cape Tribulation and 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of Cooktown. Access to the community is via a partly unsealed road which is only suitable for four wheel drive vehicles. This is due to the gradient of the terrain and the many streams and rivers that make up the Daintree drainage basin which cross the path at very regular intervals. During high waterflow the road from Cape Tribulation is unpassable. The road from Cooktown is partly sealed but driveable with a two-wheel drive in the dry season.
The rare Bloomfield River Cod (Guyu wujalwujalensis) is found only in the Bloomfield River and is named after this community.
Community
Wujal Wujal was formerly known as the Bloomfield River Mission and the people are Kuku Yalanji. The community has an estimated population of 470 (2001). The community at Wujal Wujal is thought to have existed on the site for thousands of years[citation needed] and is set around the highly sacred waterfalls of Wujal Wujal meaning many "falls" in the Kuku Yalanji language. Visitors are warned not to bring any alcohol into the community as part of the Queensland Government's aims at tackling alcohol abuse. Traffickers of such contraband substances may be subject to fines. The government also help the community by giving small one day a week jobs involving community service to deter locals away from boredom and alcohol abuse.
The community has a helicopter landing pad just beside the hospital. Emergency medical services are provided by the Primary Health Care Centre (Remote Area Nurses, Health Workers, and two or three visits per week from doctors based at the Cooktown Hospital.
In 1980, the Aboriginal Council came into being, with the area regaining its traditional name, Wujal Wujal. The community has an Indigenous Knowledge Centre 'Binal Mangka Bayan, which means "house of knowing things". The centre provides access to books, magazines and other educational material.
The waterfalls
The waterfalls are very sacred to the community.[citation needed] The general public have access only to one waterfall as the other larger falls are only for the eyes of the female members of the community.
Tours
Access to most vehicles is limited and only four wheel drive vehicles can travel on the unsealed tracks. Tours are available for those without such transportation in small groups from Cape Tribulation's Ferntree and Coconut Lodge Resorts.
In 2003, the Walker family, one of the family groups of the Kuku Yalanji people, commenced their rainforest tours on their traditional country at Thompson Creek, six km south of Wujal Wujal. Guided walks to the Bloomfield Falls have recently been added as another opportunity in their business.
As their tour attracts business from the Bloomfield area, mainly the Bloomfield Wilderness Lodge, the guests come by boat to their landing site on the Bloomfield River bank, creating the need for a jetty or ramp.
See also
References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Wujal Wujal (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2009-07-25.