Named after Mutitjulu Waterhole, Mutitjulu community is home to Anangu who live within the park.

The main languages spoken in the community are Pitjantjatjara and Yangkunytjatjara.

Anangu welcome visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, but they appreciate their privacy while at home. This is why Mutitjulu is a closed community and access is by permit or permission only.

Permits and/or permission must be organised in advance through the Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation (MCAC).

History of the community

Before the establishment of the Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara, Mutitjulu community served as a base for most tourists, who either camped near Mutitjulu 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 Anangu from the park. By 1966, many Anangu that had been working at pastoralist cattle stations returned after the historic Wave Hill Walk Off. You can find out more about Anangu land rights on our history page.

In 1972, the Ininti Store was founded as an Anangu enterprise. Since its establishment, many Anangu-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 Anangu and supplied a modest source of income.

Some of the current businesses run by Anangu include Walkatjara Arts, the Ininti Store and the Ininti Cafe.

The handback of Uluru

On 26 October 1985, the Mutitjulu oval became the site for the historic ‘handback’ of Uluru , when the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ninian Stephen, presented Anangu Traditional Owners with the freehold title deeds for the park.

The handback of Uluru was a symbolic highpoint for land rights.

As a condition of handback, Anangu Traditional Owners signed an agreement leasing the land back to the Australian Parks and Wildlife Service (now Parks Australia) for 99 years.

Anangu and Parks Australia staff now work together to jointly manage the park under the direction of an Anangu-majority Board of Management.

Find out more about the handback

Mutitjulu sublease agreement

Signing the lease in 2017

After years of negotiation, Mutitjulu 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 Mutitjulu.

Mutitjulu Mala Rangers

Mutitjulu Mala Rangers are Anangu residents that work in various activities for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, including seasonal land and fire management activities, patch burning, fauna surveys and park facilities maintenance.

The program offers Anangu 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 Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation (MCAC) website