26 October 2025 marks a profound national milestone – 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. Aboriginal tourism is not simply growing. It is evolving – moving away from tokenistic or superficial offerings and towards immersive, Aboriginal-led experiences with authenticity at their core. It’s an invitation to travellers to go deeper, stay longer and walk more softly. For communities, it’s about taking control of narrative, ownership of story, and stewardship of Country – as it should always have been, and showcasing it on their terms,” says Mitchell.

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.

Three of the Luxury Lodges of Australia are located in regions which have been handed back to their Traditional Owners:

Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Northern Territory – location of Longitude 131°
Handback: 26 October 1985

The return of title deeds to the Aṉangu people was a defining moment in Australian history. Since then, the park has been jointly managed with Parks Australia, blending Aboriginal law and culture with conservation science. Visitors can join SEIT Outback Australia’s SEIT Patji tour to explore homelands beyond the rock, led by Aṉangu Traditional Owners who share Tjukurpa (Creation stories), bush survival skills and the legacy of the handback itself.

El Questro / Wilinggin Country, The Kimberley – location of El Questro Homestead 
Handback: 2022

A landmark Indigenous Land Use Agreement between the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation and the WA Government returned more than 165,000 hectares of Kimberley wilderness to the Wanjina Wungurr Wilinggin people. Part of the land was converted from pastoral lease to freehold and leased back for tourism. Guests can now walk alongside Traditional Owners on the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience, where Wilinggin guides share Dreaming stories, bush knowledge and insights into the country’s healing power.

Daintree Rainforest, Tropical North Queensland – location of Silky Oaks Lodge 
Handback: 2021

In a history-making handover, the Daintree – the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth – was returned to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people. With it came the right to shape tourism on Country. Through Walkabout Cultural Adventures, guests are guided by Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners through lush forest and coastal tracks, learning about plant medicine, totems, bush foods and the deep spiritual ties between people and land.

The Luxury Lodges of Australia offer a range of experiences that allow guests to connect with the Traditional Owners of the destinations in which they are located. Learn more about how to connect with Aboriginal Australia through a stay at one of the lodges.

Find out more about the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective via their website.