The Arakwal people officially reclaimed Broken Head Holiday Park in July 2009, as part of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA2) with the New South Wales Government.
Situated on the beachfront of Broken Head approximately seven kilometres south of Byron Bay, Broken Head Holiday Park (BHHP) is surrounded by Arakwal National Park. There are great walks, surfing, swimming, fishing and stunning views north towards Walgun (Cape Byron) and south along the small bays like Bray’s Beach where our people have fished and camped over many generations.
The Arakwal people continue uphold Aboriginal to cultural values whilst also ensuring Broken Head Holiday Park operates as an affordable holiday destination.
Revenue from the Broken Head Holiday Park is being used for upgrades to the BHHP,operating our corporation and supporting other Arakwal projects.
We are also looking to develop unique cultural and recreational programs linked to the BHHP holiday experience.
The BHHP land was previously controlled by the NSW Crown Lands Department and managed by Byron Shire Council. After many years of tense negotiations the NSW Government officially handed the BHHP over to us as part of ILUA 2, on July 2009 ,with conditional arrangements concerning management and usage of the BHHP. As of 1st July, 2011, the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) became fully responsible for operating the Broken Head Holiday Park.
The BHHP has now helped to provide a small economic base for the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation after operating on no supportive external funds for over 15 years. The Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation has never received Government funding to operate and has had to rely on Arakwal people volunteering their time and the genorosity of the community. This continues today however we now have the ability to develop an income stream to help support our community programs and our links to the wider community of the area and region.
The BHHP has provided a small step towards self suffiency for the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal corporation and we now manage all aspects of the BHHP under the umbrella of our Corporation.
What an amazing place to care for, to provide a place for connecting to Country, for holidays, and to bring our culture to the wider community!