The Aboriginal sons and daughters of those who first lodged the Kenbi land claim have told of their "bittersweet" emotions at seeing their ancestors' dream come true after 37 years.

Sorry, this video has expired PM speaks at Kenbi land claim ceremony

The 1979 Kenbi case went on to be the subject of two extensive hearings, three Federal Court reviews, two High Court appeals and much division among the local Aboriginal people, who have disputed who had the right to claim ownership.

The Kenbi claim, which covers most of Cox Peninsula - 130 kilometres by road and 10 kilometres by ferry from Darwin - was the longest-running Aboriginal land claim case in Australia's history.

Today, at a beach looking across the water back to the Darwin CBD, hundreds gathered under a red marquee to watch as traditional owners were given a symbolic document made of bark by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Malcolm Turnbull with some of the children attending the ceremony. ( ABC News: David McMeekin )

37 years of the Kenbi land claim: Kenbi land claim was lodged in 1979

Kenbi land claim was lodged in 1979 The claim went back and forth between Aboriginal Land Commissioners, the High Court, and the Federal Court

The claim went back and forth between Aboriginal Land Commissioners, the High Court, and the Federal Court After being rejected in 1991, Justice Peter Gray found the land on the Cox Peninsula should be declared Aboriginal land

After being rejected in 1991, Justice Peter Gray found the land on the Cox Peninsula should be declared Aboriginal land A Federal Government report highlighted the risk posed by asbestos and other chemicals to local bore water

A Federal Government report highlighted the risk posed by asbestos and other chemicals to local bore water The Government spent nearly $32m cleaning up the land before handing the land back

The Government spent nearly $32m cleaning up the land before handing the land back The final step was getting compensation from the NT Government for a no-licensing regime to allow for public access and fishing

The final step was getting compensation from the NT Government for a no-licensing regime to allow for public access and fishing The Northern Land Council announced it signed the final agreement on behalf of the traditional owners

Jason Singh, a traditional owner of the area, said he was sad his mum could not see the event.

"This is a big day for us ... at last we have waited to get our land back. I want to thank the Prime Minister Mr Turnbull for being with us here today.

"I am very happy after 37 years, we have got our land back. I am very sad that our mums are not here today."

Traditional owner Zoe Singh said the ceremony was bittersweet.

"Happy, overwhelmed, but sad at the same time because our elders aren't here to see this," she said.

Fellow custodian Raelene Singh echoed the sentiment.

"All our ancestors, mum, dad, grandfather, who lodged the claim ... they passed on. It's been so long for them to wait."

Descendents of those who first lodged the land claim spoke of "bittersweet" emotions at the hand over. ( ABC News: David McMeekin )

The ceremony began with a minute of silence to honour those who had passed away before they could witness the event.

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The air of celebration was punctured by an angry protest by Larrakia elder Eric Fejo, who vented at being excluded from the Kenbi claim, with a swipe at NT Chief Minister Adam Giles.

Mr Fejo, in traditional paint, took aim at comments made by Mr Giles in May, when he said itinerant people from remote communities who get drunk and cause trouble in Darwin should "piss off".

"Adam! You got no right to tell our countrymen to piss off," Mr Fejo shouted.

"Our country is here, Larrakia country!"

Mr Fejo then threw away a piece of paper symbolising the 'Developing The North' white paper, a blueprint for economic development released in 2015 which came under criticism by the Northern Land Council for an alleged lack of consultation with Aboriginal people.

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Earlier, Mr Turnbull said he wanted to "congratulate the traditional owners on their persistence, their resilience, their determination over 37 years".

"Today we formally recognise what Larrakia people have always known. That this is Aboriginal land. That this is the lands of the Larrakia people.

"Today marks a historic day in the settlement of one of the most complex and protracted land claims in the history of the Land Rights Act.

"On behalf of the Commonwealth Government and all Australians, I congratulate the traditional owners on their persistence, their resilience, their determination over 37 years to see the Kenbi land claim resolved."

Mr Turnbull said he recognised that the "journey towards this settlement has been a long and difficult one".

"Through all of this, over 37 years, you and your families never gave up," he told the audience who were gathered under a red marquee near the ocean.

"The Kenbi land claim was a hard-fought land rights battle, but it represents so much more than a battle over land."

He said it was "a story that epitomised the survival and the resilience of the first Australians, the survival and resilience of the Larrakia people".

An Aboriginal child at the Kenbi hand-back. ( ABC News: David McMeekin )

The NT Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, praised Mr Turnbull's "bipartisan" address, but accused the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party (CLP) of attempting to "strangle at birth" the Kenbi land claim process.

"It was not bipartisan in 1978 and 1979 when the then-CLP government took what was an act to try and strangle at birth this land claim process, and which held out ultimately almost 18 years to try and prevent the claim being progressed.

"Now that is a shame, that is an absolute shame. It is important that we acknowledge that there was so much hurt caused by the division that was initiated ... and that hurt continues for so many today.

"Whilst we can apologise for that hurt, we can't redress it ... we cannot give back that 20 years."