Guuranda (Yorke Peninsula)
Narungga people are the Traditional Owners of Guuranda, now known as the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Narungga Country encompasses the full peninsula, including its coastlines, islands and surrounding sea Country, stretching from the eastern shores of Spencer Gulf to the western waters of Gulf St Vincents, and inland across plains, hills and cultural landscapes.
This Country includes significant places such as Wardang Island (Waralti) and many coastal, marine and inland areas that have sustained Narungga people socially and spiritually. Narungga identity, law and culture are embedded in land and sea and connection to Guuranda continues through living cultural practice, care for Country and intergenerational knowledge sharing.
Native Title
Native title recognizes that Narungga people as the traditional owners of Guuranda (Yorke Peninsula) and surrounding seas. In 2018, the Federal Court of Australia formally recognised Narungga native title rights and interests, confirming what Narungga people and cultural have always known: that Narungga people are connect to this Country under traditional laws and customs. This legal recognition supports cultural continuation, protection of important places and participation in decisions about Country.
Fishing and Camping Agreements
Traditional Fishing Agreements
Narungga people have negotiated a traditional fishing agreement with the South Australian Government that recognises and preserves the Narungga cultural rights, interests and knowledge in fishing within waters adjacent to Yorke Peninsula. The agreement sets out ways Narungga people can practice traditional fishing for communal, cultural and ceremonial needs while supporting sustainable fisheries and management consistent with state fisheries law.
This builds on the commitments to customary fishing and access pracrices outlined as part of the boarder engagement under the Buthera Agreement.
Access the Narungga Nation Traditional Fishing Agreement and Summary.
Camping Access
Camping and cultural activities on Country are important aspects of maintaining connection to place. Access arrangements that respect Narungga cultural priorities, environmental values and safety guidelines are supports through collaborative work with land managers, including national parks and coastal authorities. Where culturally sensitive areas are located, access may be managed through specific permits or protocols to protect significant sites.
Protected and Heritage-Listed Sites
Many places across Guuranda are protected for their natural and cultural values under state and national heritage laws. These protections help safeguard archaeological deposits, sacred places and ancestral narratives embedded in the landscape. Narungga cultural heritage is considered in planning processes, development assessments and land-use decisions to avoid impacts on significant sites.
Land Management and Caring for Country
Narungga people are actively engaged in contemporary land and sea management work that aligns with traditional ecological knowledge. These activities include:
- Fire-caring and cultural burning practices to promote biodiversity and reduce wildfire risk
- Collaborative land management with government and conservation partners
- Environmental restoration projects that benefit native plants, animals and soil health
- Monitoring and protecting sacred sites and biodiversity values.
Camping on Country and engaging in traditional fishing activities are important cultural practices for Narungga people. Culturally appropriate access to beaches, coastal lands and waters is support through collaborative agreements, respect for conservation requirements and endorsement processes for traditional fishing under agreed frameworks.
Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs)
Narungga people are actively engaged in contemporary land and sea management work Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) are voluntary agreements between native title groups and other parties about the use and management of land and waters. They can cover a wide range of matters including land access, coexistence of interests, future development and natural resource management. ILUAs help define how traditional rights and contemporary laws can work together for mutual benefit.
Current ILUAs with NNAC:
- T-Port – Wallaroo Common User Export Facility Area Agreement
- Port Hughes land