Aurukun

Location

Aurukun is an Aboriginal community in the far north west of Queensland on the Cape York Peninsula.

The Shire of Aurukun covers an area of 7,500 square kilometres. It is bounded by the Holroyd River and Pormpuraaw Deed of Grant in Trust lands to the south, Cook Shire and Archer Bend National Park to the east, the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cook Shire to the north.

The various nations of the Western Cape, based around Aurukun, are collectively referred to as the Wik and Kugu peoples. There are five different clans groups within this area.  They are the Sara, Winchanam, Apalech, Putch and Wanam.

Restrictions

Important Restrictions on the type and quantity of liquor that can be brought into various remote indigenous communities have been gradually implemented in Queensland.

Alcohol Management Plans have been developed by Community Justice Groups and contain recommendations for declaring all or part of a community area either a 'Restricted Area' and/or a 'Dry Place'.

People who live in, or are planning to visit, travel through or pass near a community which they feel may have restrictions should ensure they are aware of the laws. Bag checks can and will happen and severe fines apply if people are caught.

For detailed information by community visit the Queensland Government Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation website.

Shopping and Services

Post Office:

Open Monday to Friday from 9:00am–12noon and 1:00pm–3:30pm

General Store:

Open Monday to Friday from 08:30am–5:00pm (closed 12:30–1:30pm for lunch)
and Saturday and Sunday 09:00–12:00noon

Health:

Aurukun Primary Health Clinic
Can be contacted by telephone on (07) 4060 6133

Accommodation

Aurukun Council Guest House

Aurukun Council has a Guest House for visitor accommodation. The Guest House has 8 rooms, 4 with Queen Size beds and 4 with twin single beds; each room has its own ensuite; a communal kitchen and lounge room is available for all guests. The kitchen has freezers, fridges, microwaves and gas stoves; all cooking utensils are supplied.

All bookings are made through the Council office:

Phone:

(07) 4060 6815

Email:

guesthouse@aurukun.qld.gov.au

It is important to book well in advance as accommodation bookings are often very heavy and accommodation in Aurukun is restricted.

Camping

To camp anywhere within the Aurukun Shire boundaries YOU MUST obtain permission from the Shire Council.

Your request for permission to enter MUST be lodged with Council at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date you wish to visit the Shire area.

Camping Permit fees apply to all areas within the Shire.

Information can be obtained from the Aurukun Shire Council office during office hours:

Office Hours:

Monday to Friday 8am–4.15pm

Phone:

(07) 4060 6811

Email:

admin@aurukun.qld.gov.au

Wik and Kuugu Arts and Craft Centre

The art of the Wik and Kuugu Arts and Crafts Centre is a legitimate and living part of the community, with the intrinsic value of the art created through its deep, complex and inseparable connection to the land and the communities living on that land through clan patterns and family totems.

Each of the individuals of the Wik and Kugu community belong to one of five clan groups; Sara, Winchanam, Apalech, Putch and Wanam. Each clan has its own unique living history and understanding of the land as well as interlinked connections with other clans. The art of the community reflects these relationships with carving and fibre art having a long tradition with the Wik and Kugu people of the region. For example, the sculptures from the Aurukun region are primarily based on totemic animal or plant images.

For enquiries contact the Art Centre:

Phone:

(07) 4060 6843

Email:

arts@aurukun.qld.gov.au

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