Meet Roque: Host of a unique Darwin Harbour cruise
Sea Darwin is proud to facilitate SUNSET DREAMING a unique Darwin Harbour Cruise, hosted by Gullawun, AKA Roque Lee. Roque is a Traditional Owner; he belongs to a large and highly respected Larrakia family resident in Darwin. He has lived in the Top End all his life, with his biggest influences being his uncles who taught him to make traditional spear, woomera and didgeridoo. Roque is also a self-taught artist and, as well as guiding, he has quite a well renowned art portfolio and is often called upon to do Welcome to Country ceremonies. Roque’s totems are pelican and goanna, and he paints, sculpts and crafts from the environment and depicts the knowledge and stories passed on to him from his mother.
indigenous turtle and dolphin logos that feature in Sea Darwin promotional product are his own work. Additionally, his work adorns a freight link train, Rain Tree Park, West Lane in Darwin, and Palmerston Central. He has exhibited in the National Gallery, Darling Harbour, NT Museum and Art Gallery and the Telstra Art Awards (People’s Choice Award 2006). Since 2007 Roque has been interpreting story through his art with the production of message sticks for the Darwin Convention Centre. He estimates that he has produced 600 of these unique mementos of the NT. How lucky is Sea Darwin to have Roque host their Darwin Harbour sunset cruise, Sunset Dreaming.
Sunset Dreaming is a Sea Darwin product initiated and developed by Roque in 2010 in conjunction with Sea Darwin founder, Jim Smith. The tour works with the tides, wind and moon to showcase the dynamic environment of Darwin Harbour at twilight time, and through Roque’s traditional eyes. After a fast boat ride, guests alight at a remote beach where Roque hosts an interactive cultural experience. He plays the didgeridoo; he crafts string and jewellery from beach material, he demonstrates traditional hunting methods with spear and woomera, and offers saltwater tasting. To spend some time with Roque and have a truly unique, quality interactive adventure on Darwin Harbour, book Sunset Dreaming now!