The Wuthathi People are celebrating the historic handover of almost 15-thousand hectares of land that has led to the creation of a new national park in Cape York.
The Wuthathi (Captain Billy Landing) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land) (CYPAL) was created following the handback of land deeds on 14 October 2025.
These lands are part of an extensive living cultural landscape that is rich in traditional, spiritual and cultural significance for Wuthathi people, and the handback acknowledges their rights and their deep and unbroken connection to Country (Ngaachi) and Karakara (sea Country).
The handback includes around 4,300 hectares of Aboriginal freehold land and around 10,560 hectares of the newly dedicated national park (CYPAL).
The new national park features beach access and camping areas at Captain Billy Landing, rainforest, cloud forest, woodlands, heathland and natural springs.
Through the department's Cape York Peninsula Tenure Resolution Program, Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC now have ownership of almost 133,000 hectares, held in trust for the Wuthathi people.
This includes around 48,000 hectares of national park (CYPAL) and almost 85,000 hectares of Aboriginal freehold land that features diverse landscapes and critical habitat for threatened species.
The Aboriginal freehold land provides Traditional Owners with opportunities for housing, business development, tourism and other economic outcomes.
Director Rachel Small said the Queensland Government has returned more than 4.23 million hectares of land to Cape York Traditional Owners since 2007.
"The Queensland Government is committed to growing our protected area and this handback will take us another step toward meeting our ambitious target of 1.8 million hectares during this term of government," Ms Small said.
"The handback recognises the Wuthathi people commitment to jointly manage the Wuthathi (Captain Billy Landing) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land) with my department.
"This historic transfer expands Wuthathi's opportunity to capitalise on the unique visitor experience offered by the Captain Billy Landing locality, which has been visited by thousands of people on their travels through Cape York Peninsula."
Chairperson of Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Keron Murray said the handback is another milestone in our people's journey.
"This is a celebration and will help us achieve our goals and become the authors of our destiny like our Elders before us." Mr Murray said.
Wuthathi Tribal Elders Council Chairperson Johnson Chippendale spoke on behalf of the Wuthathi people.
"I feel a mix of happiness and sorrow, and we are overjoyed to see Mutjati (Captain Billy) land transfer come to fruition in our lifetime.
"But our hearts are also heavy with the absence of the many Elders who paved the way for this day but are no longer with us to celebrate, but I know they are watching over us in spirit." Mr Chippendale said.
