The Yuku-Baja-Muliku people are the Traditional Custodians of Archer Point, which is located just south of Cooktown in north Queensland. Their traditional lands cover 22,500 hectares and border two of Australia’s World Heritage Areas – the Wet Tropical Rainforests of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Yuku-Baja-Muliku country is rich in cultural sites which are entwined with fringing coral reefs, beaches, rainforests, woodlands, mangroves, saltpans, and sea grass beds. The rich animal life of the region includes turtles, dugongs, Bennett’s tree-kangaroos, and striped possums.
The Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers began in 2008 with two part-time rangers living under a tarp at Archer Point, cooking on an open fire with little equipment and resources. The rangers have since grown in number, are developing skills and confidence and inspiring others to return to country.
The Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers focus on land and sea management activities which assist in diversifying income through contracting services with national parks, council and other neighbouring land-holding bodies; and developing tourism opportunities and infrastructure, such as campsites. They also run a Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Archer Point. Their vision is to manage Yuku-Baja-Muliku country sustainably, to ensure that its rich biodiversity and cultural integrity remains through custodian's active, positive and physical connections to country and continuing access to traditional foods.
