North Queensland is home to a large number of Aboriginal tribes and this is reflected in the diversity of Aboriginal arts and crafts available to the tourist. Almost all are hand-crafted but the quality does vary and it is a wise idea to have a good look around before forking over any cash. The most famous of Aboriginal artefacts is the didjeridoo, the oldest wind instrument in the world. Played in conjunction with 'clap sticks' and the clapping together of boomerangs, it is used for initiation and ceremonies. The hauntingly beautiful sounds tells the colorful dreamtime stories of creation before the time of man. Traditional instruments are made from termite hollowed eucalyptus such as bloodwood, box wood and woolibutt. There are several shops in North Queensland which sell genuine, handworked didjeridoos. Usually staffed by experienced players, customers can be instructed in the technique of playing a didjeridoo - it's not as difficult as you might think! Didjeridoos start from around $50 and can go up to $1200. Most businesses are happy to arrange packaging and international shipping. All of the Aboriginal cultural centres, including Tjapukai (near Cairns), feature didjeridoo playing and boomerang throwing demonstrations. Other popular Aboriginal handcrafts include boomerangs which generally range in price from about $20 to $75, wooden clap sticks, rock paintings and bark paintings. Another popular item is the "bull roarer", a traditional bush telephone carved from wood. Handpainted T-shirts are found pretty much everywhere. The further north into Cape York or the Torres Strait Islands you go, the more likely you are to pick up a 'didj' or boomerang direct from the artisan who made it. Many stores that sell Aboriginal arts and crafts, also carry handmade native artefacts from Papua New Guinea.