Responsible tourism in the Northern Territory

Aboriginal rights in the Northern Territory

To understand the problems that Aboriginal Australians face today – and learn how your holiday choices can help them – you have to understand the history of the Northern Territory. Aboriginal Australians are thought to be the oldest living civilisation in the world. They’ve lived continuously in Australia for around 58,000 years, unwavering as transient European and Indonesian explorers came and went. It wasn’t until the 19th century that settlers started to stick, tempted by farming and mining opportunities. That’s when the tides turned against indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

Land confiscation for cattle farming was widespread. The protest killing of cattle by Aboriginal Australians was parried with violent revenge from white settlers, who often hired armed gangs to shoot indigenous people seen as a threat. The gold rush era followed, kicking off the development of railways and cities.

The government and missionaries followed hugely damaging assimilation policies in the 20th century. They resettled rural Aboriginal Australians in suburban housing or town camps; they also removed Aboriginal children into white families in a disastrous attempt to absorb indigenous people into the general population. Those that remained on Aboriginal land were – and still are – largely neglected by the government, with access to standard housing, electricity and healthcare often limited.

The Land Rights Act 1976 returned half the Northern Territory to the original landowners. Clan-based communities called outstations sprung up. Despite both deliberate and accidental destruction of their culture, rural Aboriginal Australians managed to mostly keep hold of their clan structure, language and customs. Aboriginal populations increased as conditions improved; they now represent a quarter of the Northern Territory population.

Wildlife

The Northern Territory has 400 species of birds, including endemic white-throated grasswrens, chestnut-quilled rock pigeons and banded fruit doves. There are over 150 species of mammals, too, from kangaroos specially adapted to the Northern Territory to Irrawaddy dolphins and native bat species.

NT also has the highest density of saltwater crocodiles on the planet. These supersized crocs are evolutionary masterpieces infamous for their ‘death roll’ hunting tactic. It’s vital that you abide by park signage, stay away from the water’s edge and avoid swimming in their territory. Even smaller freshwater crocs will give you a nasty nip if you accidentally disturb them. It’s worth noting that despite their reputation and proximity to human habitation and waterways, only 14 people have died from crocodile attacks between 2005 and 2014 in the Northern Territory.

Camels are a divisive subject, too. Shipped in as labour animals in the 19th century, they’ve taken to the Northern Territory desert like a saltie to water. Populations have billowed. Each camel can down 100 litres in 10 minutes; they strip trees and grassland vital to native kangaroos, birds and reptiles. Culling has had limited impact, and is often done from helicopters. There’s no way to know whether a camel is killed as humanely as possible. It’s an ongoing challenge for the Northern Territory Outback.

Encouragingly, wildlife tours and cultural tourism are the strongest elements of the tourist industry in the Northern Territory – despite the government’s efforts to build massive resort hotels and casinos.

Aimy Hasson, from our luxury adventure specialists Lekker Boutique Travel, offers these tips:
“Please always respect the Aboriginal culture, do not climb Uluru, and respect sacred sites! Don’t waste water. Do not leave any rubbish behind and do not take anything from National Parks – no rocks or plants.”