The collection consists of three main parts, reflecting three phases of Toyne's work between 1979 and 1994. The first part contains diaries, notebooks and working files from Toyne's years in Central Australia, principally 1979-1986. There is strong emphasis on land rights issues, beginning with the 'Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act' 1981, concerning which Toyne co-authored the book, 'Growing up the country' (1984). There is also a substantial amount of material on the Ayers Rock/Uluru title transfer in 1985, and the management of Uluru National Park. The second part of this collection consists primarily of research files and a small number of working files from Toyne's years as Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation (1986-1992). These formed the basis of his postgraduate environmental law course (1993-1994) which was published as 'The reluctant nation - environment, law and politics in Australia' (1994). The third part contains research files and working files from Toyne's involvement (1993) as a consultant to the Federal Government on developing a response to the Mabo judgement and drafting the Native Title Bill.