From death threats to "rights for whites" rallies, the battle for Nitmiluk National Park was as divisive as it was hard fought.

But some 40 years since the Jawoyn people launched a land claim that now encompasses one of the most successful tourism ventures in the NT, traditional owners are looking towards the future.

"I know we're still on that journey [for recognition]," Jawoyn Association chair Lisa Mumbin said.

"But it's still something to reflect on of what our elders achieved and laying that foundation is one of the most important task that they had to do."

The 1978 land claim sparked a bitter dispute with some non-Indigenous Katherine residents who believed the gorge, then known as Katherine Gorge, would be closed off.

Children celebrate the anniversary in the Nitmiluk National Park ( ABC News: Lucy Marks )

But traditional owners had their own vision.

Visitors would be welcomed to experience the beauty of the landscape and the ancient culture behind it.

Tourism at Nitmiluk National Park has since flourished, and the gorge and surrounding area is one of the most popular places for visitors to see in the NT.

However, the journey towards recognition was no easy feat.

"There was rally put together for 'rights for whites'," Ms Mumbin said.

Death threats were made, shots fired above campaigners heads and signs saying "sacred site" were erected on residents' lawns mocking the land rights movement.

The event at Nitmiluk National Park marked 40 years since the land claim was made. ( ABC News: Lucy Marks )

"A lot of our people were scared but they really believed what they had to make a stand for," Ms Mumbin said.

"They had to focus on their inner strength to make that stand for our land."

Jawoyn dream 'brought to life' after decades of struggle

Addressing a 40th anniversary event at Nitmiluk National Park, Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon said the NT government of the day drove much of the opposition to land rights.

"Have no doubt about it, from the formation of the Land Rights Act 1976 through until the late 1990s … successive governments campaigned against land rights and encouraged others to campaign against land rights," Mr Snowdon said.

"And they were the cause of much division."

Jack Ah Kit said traditional owners wanted to develop economic enterprises with the land. ( ABC News: Lucy Marks )

But the prime minister at the time, Bob Hawke, was a supporter of land rights, and his 1988 visit to Nitmiluk signalled a change in direction for many.

In 1985, Uluru was handed back to its traditional owners and by 1989, Nitmiluk was back in the hands of the Jawoyn people.

"[It was] a moment where Jawoyn people stood proud but also other tribal groups stood proud with us as well," Ms Mumbin said.

A 99-year lease was immediately signed to the NT Government and Nitmiluk National Park has been jointly managed ever since.

"We've said we'd share our country, we'd held true to that," Jawoyn Association's Jack Ah Kit said.

The Nitmiluk National Park now attracts more than 250,000 visitors a year. ( ABC Open contributor heathwhiley )

"We've said we'd develop economic enterprises, we've done that."

It was always the vision of the elders who launched the claim to have an economically viable industry in order to independently support their people, Mr Ah Kit said.

"Jawoyn Association has the ability to do that [support Jawoyn people] given they've used their land wisely and it was always the elders that wished that to happen," he said.

"And we've to a certain extent brought that dream to life."

Around 270,000 people visit Nitmiluk National Park each year and the industry is a major employer of Jawoyn people.