More than 250 Wuthathi people have gathered on Country on the far north-eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula, marking the first time in more than 100 years families have come together there for a major celebration.

Families travelled from Lockhart River, the Northern Peninsula Area, Cairns, Townsville and other communities, with more than 100 campsites established for the gathering.

For many attending, it was their first time visiting Wuthathi Country.

The event recognised generations of Wuthathi people who fought to return to Country after families were forcibly removed in the early 1900s, as well as those who continued the push for land rights, conservation and recognition.

Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC chair Keron Murray said the gathering reflected a vision carried across generations.

"Today we have celebrated and honoured a vision that was set years ago by our old people and followed through, from generation to generation," Mr Murray said.

"The goal was always to secure land, so it was a very long-standing fight for our country.

"Our fight has been long and hard."

The return follows decades of work by Wuthathi people, including attempts to reconnect with Country from the 1950s and later efforts involving the Land Council, land claims and cultural surveys.

Wuthathi Tribal Elders Council chair Johnson Chippendale said people had continued working towards returning despite the barriers they faced.

"In the early 1900s our people were removed by force," Mr Chippendale said.

"It was very hard for our people to get back on Country.

"We tried in the 1950s and again in the 1980s with the Land Council."

The Aboriginal flag was later planted on Country and anthropologists carried out surveys identifying sacred sites and recording the names of islands, bays and beaches.

Those efforts contributed to the establishment of the original Wuthathi Land Trust, recognition of Native Title rights and the creation of a dedicated Indigenous Protected Area.

Mr Chippendale said those developments had helped create opportunities for Wuthathi people to care for Country and strengthen their future.

"Today, we are celebrating our success, our strength, our survival as Wuthathi people," Mr Chippendale said.

"The journey continues and there is still justice to come. But today, we have much to celebrate."

The gathering also reflected the practical work required to bring hundreds of people into a remote and isolated part of Cape York.

Mr Murray said Wuthathi people had spent years building governance structures and systems needed to manage Country and support future development.

"Getting Country back is not the end of the fight," Mr Murray said.

"It is the beginning of our responsibility.

"We want our children, and their children, and their children's children, to have jobs, education and opportunity."

Mr Murray also paid tribute to earlier generations who carried the fight for Wuthathi Country and those continuing that work today.

"We're all just footprints in time," Mr Murray said.

"This is a journey that started with those who were removed, onto those who took up the mantle and fought for our land justice.

"We remember those who were not with us today; we recognise those who still carry the fight, and we hope for those who will take that mantle into the future."