The Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT) of South Australia has been highly active in the landcare movement since it began. The ALT was a founding member of the Landcare Association of SA and remains an active and valued member of the Association.
The ALT championed the involvement of Indigenous communities in landcare. By campaigning for Aboriginal interests to be addressed at the policy and program level the ALT has helped remove barriers associated with Aboriginal participation in landcare.
The ALT has been steadfast in its commitment to assisting aboriginal communities and all aboriginal landholders to address land management problems and work towards rehabilitating degraded lands to their former natural state or improve viability for economic development initiatives
The Aboriginal Lands Trust was established under the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966 and now operates under the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 2013. The Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966 was the first in Australia to ensure that titles to existing Aboriginal Reserves were held in trust on behalf of all Aboriginal people in South Australia.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust holds title to 65 properties comprising approximately 500,000 hectares of land for economic and cultural benefit. It is made up of former Reserves and some crown land that was transferred to the Trust. Other properties have either been bequeathed or otherwise acquired.
The Head of Bight Tourist/Whale Watching Centre, recognised as South Australia’s signature tourism destination, is one of the properties managed by the ALT. The Centre is situated on land commonly known as Yalata Lands.
At this unique geographical spot, a mini-desert of towering sand dunes meets a sheer line of 90 metre limestone cliffs. In the sheltered waters of the bay below, Southern Right whales congregate en-masse to give birth to calves.
Combining accessible viewing platforms with the spectacular backdrop of the Bunda Cliffs and superb pristine beaches, the facility offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to view the large numbers of Southern Right Whales.
Approach to the centre is via a sealed road and attached to the car park is a comfortable undercover picnic area for travellers.
More information on Head of Bight Tourist/Whale Watching Centre is available here
More information on the Aboriginal Lands Trust and other properties managed by the ALT is available here.