Unveiling the Legacy: The Historic Handback of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa and Its Impact on Indigenous Rights

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Uluṟu is one of the most famous and recognisable landmarks in the world, an icon of the country’s landscape.

For Traditional Owners, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjattjara, who refer to themselves collectively as Aṉangu, Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa, have held cultural significance from time immemorial.

In Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law and culture), care and protection of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa are sacred responsibilities.

The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is not only a breathtaking natural wonder but also a significant site in the annals of Indigenous land rights history. Its cultural and spiritual importance is deeply intertwined with the journey toward recognizing the land rights of Australia’s Indigenous people.

On October 26, 1985, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park was handed back to Aṉangu. The then Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen returned the title deeds to Traditional Owners. The event became known as Handback and has been celebrated every year since.

This year marks 40 years since that historic event.

On October 16, 2025, Aṉangu were invited to commemorate the occasion in a ceremony at the Australian High Commission in London ahead of celebrations on Country.

Aṉangu performed a song and Inma (traditional dance and ceremony) for guests, including King Charles III.

They spoke of the significance of their sacred sites and the importance of ownership and management over their lands to preserve culture and tradition for future generations.

In a nod to this rich history, on October 25, 2025, the park will host a grand public celebration marking 40 years since the historic Handback. This event, set against the stunning backdrop of the Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku sunrise site, promises to be a vibrant affair. Attendees can look forward to experiencing inma, which are traditional dances performed by the Aṉangu people, live music performances, bustling markets, and more.

The significance of this anniversary is underscored by the attendance of esteemed figures such as Aṉangu representatives Sammy Wilson, Allison Carroll, and Tapaya Edwards, alongside King Charles and Australia’s High Commissioner, Stephen Smith. Their presence at this event highlights the global recognition of the cultural and historical importance of the Handback.

Historically, the early 20th century marked a period when the lands surrounding Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa were designated as an Aboriginal reserve. This area remained relatively untouched by non-Indigenous people until 1948, when Uluṟu was removed from the reserve, and a new road opened up access to the site.

Long before Handback, Anaṉgu had campaigned and challenged the government to regain control of their Country.

In 1872 and 1873, European explorers renamed Kata Tjuṯa as Mount Olga after Queen Olga of Württemberg and Uluṟu as Ayers Rock, after Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers.

In 2015, Aṉangu men performed traditional dances during an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Handback at the Mutitjulu community in the Northern Territory. This event served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing connection between the Aṉangu people and their ancestral lands, a connection that will be celebrated once again in 2025.

Aṉangu men dance during an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Handback of Uluru at the community of Mutitjulu in the Northern Territory, Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. Credit: Dan Peled/AAP Image

The addition of the road and removal of Uluṟu from the reserve opened the area to tourism and mining.

In the 1950s the area became ‘Ayers Rock-Mount Olga National Park’ and an airstrip was added.

Tourism increased while Aṉangu were restricted access.

Despite this, Aṉangu connection to their lands and culture never ceased.

Aboriginal land rights movement and Handback

Breakthrough cases such as the Yirrakala Bark Petitions and the Wave Hill walk-off in the 1960s and 70s built momentum in the Aboriginal land rights movement.

The Wave Hill walk-off paved the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act in 1976 and in 1979, the Central Land Council lodged the successful Katiti Land Claim on behalf of Aṉangu, however, the national park was excluded.

Aṉangu persisted and continued to campaign against mining, tourism and the subsequent damage to sacred sites these operations had caused.

Finally, in 1985, the Hawke government amended the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, leading to Handback on October 26 that year.

Aṉangu representative Tapaya Edwards spoke to NITV in London and reflected on stories he was told of Handback.

“It was big, lots of people came together,” he said.

“It was Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra but lots of people came. Aṉangu came together because they were there before [any] border, it was one.

“In 1985, I wasn’t around but I’ve heard the stories … it was really important for them.”

The same day, Aṉangu leased the land back to the Director of National Parks under a 99-year joint management agreement and the board of management was set up with a majority of Aṉangu members.

The joint agreement brought hope that living conditions and employment opportunities would improve in the area, particularly for Mutitjulu – the community where Aṉangu live within the national park.

Beyond Handback

Following Handback, the 1990s saw the park officially named Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, and signs were placed at the base of Uluṟu requesting, on behalf of Aṉangu, that visitors refrain from climbing it.

While the numbers of climbers decreased, tourists still attempted the climb, resulting in injuries, rescues, deaths, and irreversible damage to the sacred site.

In 2010, the Parks Management Plan outlined the intention to close the climb and in 2019 the Board of Management voted to end climbing from October 26, 2019, the 34th anniversary of Handback.

Although seen as a significant win for Aṉangu and the land rights movement, Handback did not deliver the improvements the community had hoped for.

On the 30th anniversary in 2015, local leaders shared their disappointment that decades on conditions and opportunities in Mutitjulu had not progressed.

“When we talk about economic development and self determination, you look around Mutitjulu now and your eye will tell you no lie,” Vincent Forrester said in an address at the time.

“You will see the mistakes of both the governments, both Liberal and Labor, but also the territory governments. Still living in third world conditions.

“We have a long way to go as a nation of people.”

A sign at the base of Uluru announces permanent closure of the climb. Credit: NITV News | Rachael Hocking

40 years on and still much work to be done

In London this year, Aṉangu board member Alison Carroll acknowledged the work that continues across the country.

“In the past, when I was young, the Queen and the King previously before her, they did have ownership of Australia but now we’re in the process of saying some of the lands should come back to Aṉangu people and to Aboriginal people in Australia,” she said.

Reggie Uluru holds a framed photograph of himself at the original Handback in 1985, during an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the event at the community of Mutitjulu in the Northern Territory, Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. Credit: Dan Peled/AAP Images

Mr Edwards said he looks forward to working towards the future for the next generation of Aṉangu.

“There is still much work to be done, and over the next 40 years we look forward to seeing our young people carry this flame forward as they learn Aṉangu traditional knowledge and Western knowledge to care for Country and keep Tjukurpa strong.”