Bathurst and Melville Islands located approximately 80 kilometres north of Darwin in the Arafura Sea, make up the Tiwi Islands. Collectively the Aboriginal population call themselves the Tiwi people. Nguiu is the largest of several Aboriginal communities on Bathurst Island. While there is basic infrastructure and food stores in the community, traditional customs such as hunting from the land and the sea for traditional foods is still an important part of Tiwi life. Visitors need a permit to visit the Tiwi Islands and must go on an organised tour or fishing charter. The only exception is during March when the annual football grand final (which is accompanied by an art sale), is held in Nguiu. Visitors from all over the country flock to Bathurst Island for this sporting event.Bathurst Island
You can forget any prospect of encountering tourist hordes - just a handful of visitors make the short, 80-kilometre flight across the Beagle Gulf each day from Darwin to Bathurst Island. more
Bathurst Island, Northern Territory
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Articles  How to get to the Tiwi IslandsOnly a handful of operators conduct tours of the Tiwi Islands but they're easy to contact and are listed here. more  Tiwi cultureThe Tiwi have a strong heritage and maintain cultural traditions. Hunting is still an important part of Tiwi life. Although rifles, plastic buckets and 4 wheel-drive vehicles have replaced spears, tunga bags and feet, the social aspects of hunting remain important. more  Tiwi handicraftTiwi artists produce paintings, fabrics and sculpture for exhibition in Australia and overseas. The main themes relates to the Pukumani ceremony and pwoja (body painting). Body painting imagery is used to mask people's identity so the deceased cannot reclaim their loved ones. more | |
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