Every Thursday evening from May to October, Flames of the Forest invites you into one of the most extraordinary experiences in Tropical North Queensland. Deep in the ancient rainforest, by candlelight, two Kuku Yalanji brothers share the living culture of the oldest continuous civilisation on Earth.
This is not a dinner show. It is a genuine cultural exchange, set in the natural environment where the Kuku Yalanji people have lived for over 50,000 years. The rainforest is not a backdrop. It is the story.
Please note: This experience runs Thursday nights only, from May through to the end of November. It does not operate between December and April.
What to Expect on the Night
Your evening begins with a return coach transfer from your Port Douglas hotel. On arrival at the forest clearing, you are welcomed by the sound of the didgeridoo, the oldest woodwind instrument in the world, as a Kuku Yalanji guide leads you through the rainforest to a candlelit dining setting unlike anything you have experienced before.
The marquee is dressed in black silk with crystal chandeliers overhead. Thousands of candles and open flames illuminate the ancient trees. A mountain creek rolls quietly in the background.
The Cultural Performance
Two Kuku Yalanji brothers guide the evening through:
- A cultural background story connecting you to Country
- Traditional Dreamtime storytelling, passed down through oral tradition
- Didgeridoo playing and song
- An ancient Dreamtime story you are invited to take home and share
The Feast
Dinner is a seven-dish plattered banquet inspired by the land and locally sourced tropical produce. You are seated at a shared table with other travellers, part of the experience’s philosophy of connection.
Inclusions:
- Welcome sparkling wine and canapés on arrival
- Seven-dish plattered banquet dinner
- Full beverage service: Australian wines (red and white), beer, soft drinks and juice
- Return coach transfers from Port Douglas
- One person, One tree, One World tree-planting programme
Dinner runs from 7:30pm to 10:30pm (not including transfer time).
Pricing
| Price (AUD) | |
|---|---|
| Adult | $250 |
| Child (6–16 years) | $210 |
Prices are per person and include GST. Children under 6 years are not able to attend this experience. Vegetarians can be catered for with prior notification at the time of booking.
Prices are subject to change. Please confirm current pricing with the tour desk at the time of booking.
Good to Know
- Operates: Thursdays only, May to November
- Dinner: 7:30pm to 10:30pm (transfers depart earlier from Port Douglas)
- Minimum age: 6 years
- Dietary requirements: Vegetarians catered for with prior notice
- What to wear: Comfortable flat shoes; a light jacket is recommended during cooler months
- Self-drive: Not available. Return transfers from Port Douglas are included and required.