40 years since the Australian Government returned the title deeds of Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park to its Traditional Owners, the Aṉangu people.
The 1985 handback was not just a legal shift. It was a cultural and spiritual affirmation of connection to Country, the recognition of Traditional Ownership, and a new beginning for Aboriginal-led tourism - built on respect, storytelling and deep time knowledge. It sparked a national conversation about custodianship and paved the way for other landmark returns of land across Australia.
Today, four decades on, Aboriginal tourism - immersive, diverse and community-led - is one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel, predicted to be worth US$67 billion globally by 2034. From remote deserts to tropical rainforests and ancient volcanic plains, Australian Aboriginal guides are welcoming travellers onto Country and sharing culture in ways that strengthen identity and spark understanding.
“Handbacks like Uluṟu are more than symbolic,” says Nicole Mitchell, Executive Officer of Discover Aboriginal Experiences, a national collective of more than 50 Aboriginal-owned and -guided tourism operators.
“They return agency, allow intergenerational knowledge to thrive and create tourism opportunities where communities share culture on their own terms. This isn't just history - it's the foundation for a vibrant, sustainable future.
“Tourism is one of the most powerful platforms for reconciliation - when done right, it empowers communities, creates jobs, strengthens culture and invites the world to walk with history, not just hear about it.” The handback of Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa in 1985 was a turning point for cultural heritage and land management in Australia.
But it also helped reshape how travellers connect with place. Since then, several iconic landscapes have been returned to Aboriginal stewardship.
These land handbacks have allowed Traditional Owners to take the lead in conservation, storytelling and visitor experience - creating pathways for cultural tourism that is respectful, enriching and led by those who have walked the land for millennia.
