This paper describes a qualitative study, which investigated local residents' perceptions of the sociocultural impacts of tourism on the Manyallaluk community, an Australian Aboriginal community located near Katherine in the Northern Territory, Australia. The study involved a process of naturalistic inquiry using qualitative data collection methods including semi-structured interviews with fourteen respondents as well as participant observation.

The perceived positive sociocultural impacts of tourism identified by this study were associated with the revitalisation of Manyallaluk culture, increased pride and cross-cultural understanding, improved quality of life and improved English language skills. Alternatively, negative sociocultural impacts of tourism as perceived by Manyallaluk residents included the stress caused by the interaction of Aboriginal employees with tourists, community pressures from government organisations, and some conflicts among married couples evoked by feelings of jealousy caused by the mixed gender working environment in tourism. The study found that the overall perception of tourism in the community was positive, which was also reflected in the respondents' plans for future tourism initiatives in Manyallaluk.