Mutawintji National Park

People from far-western NSW began visiting Mutawintji recreationally to camp, swim and primarily to show visiting family/friends the Aboriginal rock-art. In 1927 it was declared a Reserve and a Management Committee was put in place. In 1967 the National Parks & Wildlife Act. came into being and the area became officially known as an Historic Site. In 1982 two adjoining sheep stations were added to the existing Historic Site to become Mootwingee National Park. In 1983, local Aboriginal people blockaded the entrance to the National Park demading greater input into its management. After 15 years the entire National Park and the adjoining Nature Reserve were handed back to the Aboriginal Owners. On the 5th September, 1998, NSW Premier Bob Carr formally handed over the Title Deeds to (Uncle) William Bates, then Chairman, of the Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council. Since then, the Park has operated under a system known as Joint Management, with William Bates being the inaugural, and current, Chairman of the Mutawintji National Park Board of Management (MNP BoM). Currently, the Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) Board of Management (MLALC BoM) is in the process of reviving its tourism enterprise, Mutawintji Heritage Tours. Watch this page for further updates (24/2/16)