The Federal Court has granted the Arabana people native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres in South Australia's north, including Lake Eyre.
The determination, declared under a tent on the Finniss Springs station on Tuesday, brings to an end a 14-year claim by the traditional owners.
The majority of the area is covered by pastoral lease, including Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle property in the world. It also includes three reserves, Elliot Price Conservation Park, Lake Eyre National Park and Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park as well as the towns of Marree and William Creek.
Under the terms of the consent order the Arabana people will have unconditional access to the land for hunting, camping, fishing and traditional ceremonies.
South Australian Attorney-General John Rau said the court ruling officially recognised that the Arabana people had lived on the land for a very long time and held important rights based on knowledge and customs handed down through generations.
"It brings what has been an arduous 14-year court process to a successful close," Mr Rau said.
"Native title has been a difficult and complex issue for both the state and the claimant groups and I am pleased that in this instance, such complexities have now been worked through in a spirit of cooperation and agreement."
The Arabana Aboriginal Corporation said the decision meant the land and Lake Eyre were being returned to the care of their rightful owners.
But it is expected to anger a group of sailors, members of the Lake Eyre Yacht Club, who have staged a number of events on the lake during times of flood.
They sailed in 2010 but were banned by the state government last year because of native title issues.
