IntroductionThe Noonuccal and Goenpul tribes of the Quandamooka people are the traditional owners of Minjerribah, known as North Stradbroke Island (NSI) (Municipal Council of Redland [RCC], 2010b, paras. A description of Minjerribah, its location, climate, flora and fauna is followed by a dietary profile for a traditional diet and a typical Western diet. The health of Aboriginal societies as hunter-gatherers and correlations between diet and disease among Aboriginal Australians are discussed. In conclusion, explaining how switching from a traditional Indigenous diet to a Western diet can have a discernible effect on a person's health and well-being. The geographical boundaries, climate, fauna, flora and how they influence the diet of the Noonuccal and Goenpul tribes. Minjerribah is located in Moreton Bay, 30 km south-east of Brisbane, east of Cleveland (RCC, 2010a para. 1 & 7) (Map A1). A subtropical climate and a range of terrestrial and marine ecosystems support numerous flora and fauna (Stradbroke Island, 2011, para. 4-5). Fresh water is always available in natural springs and lakes (Welsby, 1917, p. 120) (Figure C1 and C2) (Map B2). Wind and salt tolerant plants grow along the frontal dunes (pig's face, goat's foot), eucalyptus dominate the high dunes in open forest with acacias, banksias, tea plants, grasses and lianas. Mangroves dominate the intertidal mudflats, seagrass beds provide food for dugongs. Roots, seeds, nuts, mushrooms, fruits, and berries abound in forests, rainforests, freshwater, and saltwater wetlands (Knight, Barry, McFarland, & Neal. 2010, para. 6; Liddy, nd, paras. rocky shores, coral reefs, salt and fresh waters provide habitat for a variety of shellfish, fish, eels and other marine life including whales, dugongs, dolphins, rays, turtles , snakes and...... middle of paper.... ..treated hypertension and/or NIDDM and insulin resistance; conversely, it also exacerbates hypertension and NIDDM (NHMRC, 2000, p. 178). Conclusion A change from a traditional diet to a Western diet can have noticeable effects on a person's health and well-being. As noted, diet is inversely related to health. In traditional societies, the synergy between diet and lifestyle was likely protective against lifestyle-related diseases (Cordain et al., 2002, s.42; NHMRC, 2000, p. 37). The shift to a more sedentary lifestyle and westernized diet is the primary driver of the types of illnesses seen among Aboriginal Australians (Smith and Smith, 2003, p. 48). Therefore, optimizing nutritional intake following the principles of a traditional diet, high in protein, complex carbohydrates, with a high Ω3:Ω6 ratio, low in salt, potentially helps to improve health outcomes by reducing the risk of developing chronic disease..