Wet weather could not dampen the outback spirit in Central Australia this weekend, as crowds gathered to celebrate the anniversary of a pivotal moment in the Aboriginal land rights movement.

Sunday marks 40 years since the government handed back Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa — the iconic red monolith and its surrounding national park — to traditional owners.

It was a powerful gesture acknowledging the World Heritage-listed site belonged to the Anangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people, who have deep cultural and spiritual ties to the land.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travelled to the Northern Territory's Red Centre for the occasion, addressing the crowd on Saturday with a phrase in traditional Indigenous language.

"Ngayulu-na pukul-pa kuwari Anangu-ku mantangka tjunguringkula ngaranyi,"

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