Lorella Springs decision is a win for Native Title and sacred sites

Today’s Lorella Springs Federal Court decision is the result of a hard-won battle to protect and preserve sacred country by Native Title Holders.

In an address to the Federal Court, Justice Charlesworth outlined that the permit for tourism granted to the owners of Lorella Springs Station is invalid.

At the end of 2025, The Northern Land Council, on behalf of Burdal Riley, Murrung Wunubari and Mambali Walangara Native Title Holders, challenged the decisions made by the NT government to grant a non-pastoral use permit and a water licence for the Lorella Springs Station.

For decades, Lorella Springs Station has operated a tourism business, known as Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, without the permission of Native Title Holders.

Located in remote Gulf Country in the Northern Territory, the park covers thousands of hectares that are home to a number of sacred, burial and ceremony sites.

The non-pastoral use permit granted the station owner the ability to continue tourism activities, despite multiple submissions by the Native Title Holders, who were concerned that the tourism activities involved the observation of Aboriginal cultural works and activities and had interfered with sacred sites in the past.

Despite the lessees of Lorella Springs claiming there would be no interference with sacred sites, there are at least six advertised tourist locations that interfere with known sacred sites.

Her Honour noted in the judgement that “the interests of Aboriginal people have historically been ignored or overtly disrespected by the Lessees, specifically by their conduct in actively directing tourists to sites of Aboriginal significance and by using Aboriginal rock art as a feature to be actively marketed for commercial gain”.

The NLC also argued on behalf of Native Title Holders that a non-pastoral use permit could not be granted unless there was an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). 

At no stage have the owners of the cattle station tried to form an agreement with Native Title Holders.

Today’s decision underscores the need for governments and tourism operators to comply with the law, protect sacred sites and place Native Title Holders at the centre of decisions affecting their Country.

NLC Chair, Matthew Ryan

“This is a hard-fought win by Native Title Holders and shows that these licenses should have never been granted."

"Protecting sacred sites is protecting culture. It is always necessary to work with the caretakers of precious country to keep these sacred areas safe.”

Native Title Holder, Rex Isaac:

“My father fought for this place before me. It’s important that I have also fought for this place. I am very happy with today’s decision.”

"There’s a lot of very important sacred sites and dreaming areas on this land. It’s been making me feel bad about those tourists are just going in and going wherever they want."

"I’m willing to work with the owner of the station. He needs to make sure he talks to us and engages in the right way so that if tourists are going in, they don’t go anywhere they shouldn’t."

Native Title Holder Bobby Nunggumajbarr:

“This has been a really important case for Traditional Owners and Native Title Owners everywhere, showing them that they can stand up for their Sacred Sites and protect their Country.”

“Native Title Holders have fought very strong on this, and now they see a good result.

The message we are sending is that this decision is going to make things easier for Traditional Owners to protect their sacred sites and their country.”