Muṯitjulu community
Named after Muṯitjulu Waterhole, Muṯitjulu community is home to Aṉangu who live within the park.
The main languages spoken in the community are Pitjantjatjara and Yangkunytjatjara.
Aṉangu welcome visitors to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, but they appreciate their privacy while at home. This is why Muṯitjulu is a closed community and access is by permit or permission only.
Permits and/or permission must be organised in advance through the Muṯitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation (MCAC).
History of the community
Before the establishment of the Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara, Muṯitjulu community served as a base for most tourists, who either camped near Muṯitjulu Waterhole or stayed at various hotels in the community.
In the 1960s, some tour operators effectively pressured the government’s Native Welfare Branch to remove Aṉangu from the park. By 1966, many Aṉangu that had been working at pastoralist cattle stations returned after the historic Wave Hill Walk Off. You can find out more about Aṉangu land rights on our history page.
In 1972, the Ininti Store was founded as an Aṉangu enterprise. Since its establishment, many Aṉangu-owned businesses have been developed and run under the Ininti umbrella: grocery stores, service stations, cafes, cultural tours, and artwork and souvenir production and distribution. Over the years the Ininti Store venture has provided employment opportunities for Aṉangu and supplied a modest source of income.
Some of the current businesses run by Aṉangu include Walkatjara Arts, the Ininti Store and the Ininti Cafe.
The handback of Uluṟu
On 26 October 1985, the Muṯitjulu oval became the site for the historic ‘handback’ of Uluṟu, when the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ninian Stephen, presented Aṉangu Traditional Owners with the freehold title deeds for the park.
The handback of Uluṟu was a symbolic highpoint for land rights.
As a condition of handback, Aṉangu Traditional Owners signed an agreement leasing the land back to the Australian Parks and Wildlife Service (now Parks Australia) for 99 years.
Aṉangu and Parks Australia staff now work together to jointly manage the park under the direction of an Aṉangu-majority Board of Management.
Find out more about the handback.
Muṯitjulu sublease agreement
After years of negotiation, Muṯitjulu Community signed a town lease in March 2017 that set out the boundaries of the community’s sub-lease. This created greater local control over the decision-making process within Muṯitjulu.
Muṯitjulu Mala Rangers
Muṯitjulu Mala Rangers are Aṉangu residents that work in various activities for Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, including seasonal land and fire management activities, patch burning, fauna surveys and park facilities maintenance.
The program offers Aṉangu a pathway to employment in the park in ranger activities and land management. This includes the possibility to work towards a Certificate III in Land Management and other qualifications.
Visit the Muṯitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation (MCAC) website.
