.jpg)
A trial walk through Aboriginal land west of Alice Springs has been hailed a success with the potential to become one of the world’s great trails.
Western Arrernte traditional land owners, through the Central Land Council, and Into the Blue Creative Walks have been developing the Ilpurla Trail together.
The concept of the trail is to take walkers from an area near Glen Helen through some of Central Australia’s most beautiful country to Palm Valley. It would take about a week to complete.
Apart from offering walkers a wonderful scenic experience, the aim of the walk would also be to provide them with an introduction to Aboriginal culture in the West MacDonnell Ranges and training and job opportunities for the traditional land owners of that country.
The recent trial saw Aboriginal guides lead an Into the Blue Creative Walks tour on a six days and five nights hike from Roma Gorge near Glen Helen to Palm Valley near Hermannsburg.
Traditional owner of country the walk goes through, Ralph Malbunka, said people were happy to welcome visitors to their land.
“I enjoy meeting new people, talking with them and sharing our knowledge with them,” he said. “Now we’ve got something for the future too.
“The young people in the future might start looking at it and be interested in looking after their country too like we looked after our country, now it’s up to them to look after their country, to share with the others too.”
Central Land Council director David Ross said the trial had shown the exercise could bring employment benefits to traditional owners as well as open up a new and spectacular experience for tourists.
“We hope, that with continued cooperation between the parties involved, a wonderful opportunity can be developed,” Mr Ross said.
“There’s a long way to go before this is a viable, long-term tourism venture, but we’re very hopeful that it will become just that with strong local Aboriginal involvement.”
Further groups will be taken on walks along the Ilpurla Trail as the concept is developed further before it is launched next year.
