Northern Territory Attractions

Venue: Tiwi Islands    When: Daily

The Tiwi Islands, Bathurst and Melville, are home to the Tiwi Aboriginal people. Situated approximately 100km north of Darwin, they can be reached by plane in a spectacular flight over the tropical waters of the Arafura Sea.

The Tiwi people are famous for their distinctive silk-screened clothing, woven bangles, painted conch shells, carvings, pottery and their unique Pukumani burial poles. The majority of them live on Bathurst Island, where the main settlement, Nguiu, was founded as a Catholic mission in 1911.

There are tours to Nguiu from Darwin which also incorporate visits to Milikapiti and Pularumpi - the main settlements on Melville Island. For most people this is the best way to experience the islands, as all the necessary permits are taken care of.