Over 1000 square kilometers of land in the Watarrka National Park has been handed back to its Luritja traditional owners by the NT Government.
It is the last hand-back of a national park title in the Red Centre.
The land was handed back in a ceremony on Wednesday 25th July at King's Canyon.
The Watarrka Park Land Trust has been given a park freehold title under the NT Governments Parks and Reserves Act 2003, and the Luritja people will lease the land back to the Parks and Wildlife service for 99 years.
The Parks and Wildlife service and the Luritja traditional owners will now jointly oversee the daily operations of the park.
The park, which includes King's Canyon, has up to 215,000 visitors per year, including passengers on our own Rock the Centre, Uluru Explorer, and Safari tours.
Central Land Council director, David Ross, congratulated the Luritja traditional owners and praised them for their patience and commitment.
"The Luritja claimants have waited a long time for this and they are keen to take advantage of the new opportunities presented to them by joint management. I wish them all the best," Mr Ross said.
Adventure Tours Australia would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the traditional owners of Watarrka National Park and to wish them the best for the future.
