Tasmanian Aboriginals reclaim rock shelter

A rock shelter in southern Tasmania dating back thousands of years has been handed to the Aboriginal Land Council by the state government.

Situated in the Derwent Valley, `nirmena nala' spans more than 1800 square metres and has been deemed of great cultural and spiritual meaning to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister and Premier Will Hodgman said it is fitting that the transfer occurred so close to Thursday's 20th anniversary of the first land return to Aboriginal Tasmanians.