Returning Cape York to Its Traditional Owners

Cape York Land Council is a Native Title Representative Body that has represented Cape York's Traditional Owners in native title claims, land negotiations and cultural heritage protection since 1990. Working case by case through the Federal Court, the Council has helped achieve native title recognition over roughly 80% of the Cape York Peninsula region. In July 2024, a single determination under the historic Cape York United #1 claim returned more than 1.76 million hectares to the Olkola, Kunjen Olkol and Kowanyama Peoples, one of the largest native title outcomes in Australian history. The Council continues to pursue outstanding claims across the peninsula while supporting Traditional Owners in managing returned land, including national parks that are core habitat for species like the endangered golden-shouldered parrot.