For  over  60 000 years the Aboriginal  artists  from nine tribal groups: Bandjin, Djiru, Girramay, Gugu Badhun, Gulnay, Jirrbal, Nywaigi, Warrgamay and Warungnu have been weaving and making artefacts.   Broadly, the traditional country of these groups encompasses Mission Beach to Rollingstone North of Townsville, North West to Herberton & Ravenshoe, South West to the Valley of Lagoons and Greenvale and offshore Islands waters surrounding Hinchinbrook, Gould, Brooke, Family, Dunk Islands and the people of Palm Island are also included in this area.  The work of these artists is found in museums and galleries around the nation. 

In June 2005, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation applied for funding through the regional art and culture support strategy of the  State Government for a project coordinator, which led to the coordination of formal exhibitions and gallery installations.  The Jumbun dancers also received the benefits of  professional coordination enabling the issue of transport to be supported.   With the success of the exhibitions the Girringun Board called for a cultural festival to be staged by the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation in Cardwell.  When the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation won the bid to host the 2nd National Indigenous Land & Sea Management Conference, the realisation that the staging and production would be in place for a major festival was quickly realised.  Thus the Girringun Cultural Festival, marketed name for 2007—The Great Australian Corroboree was born.  It is intended that this festival becomes a biennial event for the region, Queensland and Australia that celebrates the Indigenous culture of the Girringun region.