Boodjamulla: 247,000 Acres Returned to Waanyi People

After a decades-long fight to reclaim their ancestral home, the Waanyi people of outback Queensland are celebrating a historic homecoming: the return of 247,000 acres of Boodjamulla National Park. "The land breathes again," says Hayley Iles, chair of the Waanyi Prescribed Body Corporate.

The park, located four hours northwest of Mount Isa, draws more than 20,000 visitors annually to its stunning Lawn Hill Gorge and World Heritage fossil sites. Today marks the formal completion of a handback that recognizes the Waanyi people's connection to this country spanning over 30,000 years.

The journey to this moment began with protest. In 1994, Waanyi people staged a three-week sit-in at Boodjamulla, demanding recognition and a voice in managing their land. Another protest followed in 2002, building momentum that eventually led to formal negotiations in 2020.

"Our elders fought very long to let everyone know that this is our country," Iles says. Many of those elders who began the fight didn't live to see this day, making the victory bittersweet for families traveling from across Australia to attend today's ceremony.

Boodjamulla, meaning "rainbow serpent country," features deep gorges and flowing water cutting through surrounding plains. The area was converted from a cattle station to a national park in 1984, but the Waanyi people never stopped fighting for recognition of their ancestral ties.

The Ripple Effect

The agreement creates a unique partnership model for Australia. The park has been leased back to the state government with equal representation on a joint management board, ensuring both ongoing public access and permanent funding for conservation.

"You'll see both Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Waanyi rangers working together," explains Karrell Ross from the Department of Tourism, Science and Innovation. Visitors won't notice major changes to access, but they'll benefit from something invaluable: Waanyi rangers sharing 30,000 years of cultural knowledge alongside modern conservation practices.

The partnership represents more than land rights. It's a model for how Australia can honor Indigenous connections while maintaining public spaces that educate and inspire thousands of visitors each year.

For Iles, the ceremony represents triumph after immense perseverance: "I am jumping out of my skin. It is a testament to the resilience, patience and enduring spirit of our elders and our ancestors."