History

Prior to the 1970's, Aboriginal people in the area settled around cattle stations.

In 1975 a small excision of land, out of the Ammaroo property was created allowing Alywarr people to settle permanently on their own land. The population hovers now around 230 people, with approx. 70 people at both outstations.

With few exceptions, all the Aboriginal people living at Ampilatwatja belong to the Alywarr language group. Their country extends over some 17,000 kM2 and through the pastoral properties of Ammaroo, Murray Downs, Elkedra, Derry Downs, Utopia, Lake Nash and Urandangie. Alywarr is further divided into a number of smaller units called "countries". The Amperiatwatye people are from Aherrenge country which spans three cattle stations, Ammaroo, Derry Downs and Elkedra.