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. These sites 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. These first rangers cooked on an open fire and had little equipment and resources. The rangers have since grown in number, skills and confidence. They are now inspiring others to return to country.
The Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers focus on land and sea management activities which assist in diversifying income. Such activities include:
- contracting services with national parks, council and other neighbouring land-holding bodies
- developing tourism opportunities and infrastructure, such as campsites.
The rangers also run a Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Archer Point. Their vision is to manage Yuku-Baja-Muliku country sustainably. The aim to ensure that its rich biodiversity and cultural integrity remains through:
- custodian's active, positive and physical connections to country
- continuing access to traditional foods.
State: Qld - Mainland northern region
Administration Organisation
Yuku-Baja-Muliku Land Owner and Reserves Limited