A journey of immersion, exploration and connection to the world's oldest culture

Qld Music Trails Announces Brand New Event for the Tropics Trail: Shine On Gimuy

An Incredible Light and Art Display in the heart of Gimuy/Cairns 

Presented by QLD Music Trails & Shine On Productions

After the lightning-fast sell-out of Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival, the Tropics leg of Qld Music Trails has another one for the calendar, with this new First Nations event.

The Queensland Music Trails adventure will continue all the way up to the state’s Far North this October. With Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival having already reached full capacity, the Tropics Trail has added another stellar event to its itinerary! Shine On is a Major new First Nations Event – a celebration of art, culture, language and history on the homelands of the YIDINJI people to the Cairns waterfront on October 5 through 15.

A journey of immersion, exploration and connection to the world's oldest culture, Shine On Gimuy will be a multi-artform event that illuminates the streets with light shows, soundscapes, art installations, programmed talks and music performances that capture 60,000 years of history, science, tradition and stories untold.

The artworks, elevated by the evocative soundscapes, will feature the language, stories, chants, and songs that have culminated from the rich Indigenous oral history of the region, offering a unique and poignant experience of the First Nations people of Gimuy/Cairns.

Held on the same weekend as Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival, it rounds out the stunning musical road trip itinerary for the Tropics Trail. Surrounded by the stunning rainforest-to-beach landscape and unbeatable travel spots - including one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Great Barrier Reef - this visit to Far North Queensland is unmissable.

The unique event offers roadtrippers, locals and punters alike the chance to experience an authentic connection to Indigenous culture, as told by the local First Nations people, who are the custodians of ancient connections to Gimuy land, culture and nature.

Among the most enriching experiences offered across the ten days, some of the highlights are sure to be the Gimuy Art Story Walk (which will include installations of Shields and Swords, Fever of Stingrays, Saltwater, Blaktivation, Country Ceremony Opening Ceremony and The Blak Markets).

As a part of the festivities, Salt House will host music makers live music performances from some of Australia’s best known First Nations talent and the ‘Deep Wisdom’ talk series featuring cultural knowledge holders who will explore a range of topics including; sea migration, story of origin/creation, land, sea and sky stories, songlines across country, fire management, First Nations inventors. 

Shine On Gimuy is designed to bring to the world a resource for cultural information, understanding and enjoyment of First Nations culture.

WALKS + TALKS = All Ages
*All minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, be full supervised whilst in the Salthouse and leave the venue by 10pm. Unaccompanied minors will not be permitted entry to the venue.

MUSIC SESSIONS = 18+ Only

Menu for Deep Wisdom talks