MORNINGTON Island residents were thrilled to welcome the first international cruise ship tourists to its destination in the Gulf of Carpentaria on Thu. About 100 tourists from Silversea Cruises’ Silver Explorer, which was on her way from Cairns to Broome, disembarked on the island – about 70% of whom are...
MORNINGTON Island residents were thrilled to welcome the first international cruise ship tourists to its destination in the Gulf of Carpentaria on Thu.
About 100 tourists from Silversea Cruises’ Silver Explorer, which was on her way from Cairns to Broome, disembarked on the island – about 70% of whom are Australian and 30% from overseas.
They were welcomed to country, and provided with a welcome show, before embarking on art tours, and cultural knowledge tours guided by the Island’s traditional owners.
Elders told stories and gave cultural insight into Mornington Island’s land, the salt pans, the beaches, the freshwater creeks, and the black soil plains.
Knowledge which has been passed down over 60,000 years was also shared with the visitors, including bush medicine, and the use of plants in constructing didgeridoos, boomerangs, and spears.
Mornington Shire Council Mayor Kyle Yanner told the ABC a tourism industry on the Island would provide a huge boost to the local economy and help foster jobs and engagement among the town’s youth.
“This was so exciting for our little community.
“This an opportunity to showcase how amazing and beautiful our people and our country here is.”
Mornington Shire Council said it is looking forward to welcoming more cruise ships in the future.
