arnhem land

nhulunbuy (gove peninsula)

Nhulunbuy is a mining and service town on Gove Peninsula in Arnhem Land. It is the most accessible place for tourists in eastern Arnhem Land. By air, it is about 650 km east of Darwin. There are numerous activities on offer in the town and surrounding regions, these include 4WD tours across remote bush country, demonstrations of food and medicine gathering skills by the local Yolngu people, fishing tours and diving courses. If you travel to Nhulunbuy by air (from Darwin or Cairns) or by boat, you don't need a permit. You do need a permit, however, if you travel by road. The road is not open all year round. A recreational permit is also needed to go beyond the town itself. These are easily available from the Dhimurru Land Management and Aboriginal Corporation in Nhulunbuy.

gunbalanya

Gunbalanya, (formerly the mission settlement Oenpelli) is just 15 km away from Kakadu National Park, on the Arnhem Land side of the East Alligator River. The road to Gunbalanya follows the fringes of the Magela Wetlands and takes in views of the surrounding escarpment country. Once at Gunbalanya, you can visit the arts and craft centre to browse or buy artwork or take a guided tour up Injalak hill to see rock art. During the wet season Gunbalanya is often inaccessible.

To visit Gunbalanya you need a permit, this can take a day or so to process through the Northern Land Council in Jabiru. There is an entrance fee for vehicles.

coburg peninsula

Coburg Peninsula is 200 km north east of Darwin by sea. Situated in the north west corner of Arnhem Land, it is part of Gurig National Park. The waters off the peninsula have been declared a Marine Park and are home to a number of rare marine species, including the dugong and the leatherback turtle. You can reach the Coburg Peninsula by chartered plane or boat from Darwin, or by road through Arnhem Land.

If you drive to Gurig National Park (dry season only), it may take up to a year to get a permit, as only 15 vehicles are allowed on the 4WD access road at any one time. If you plan to arrive by chartered boat or plane, permits can be processed in a couple of days. Apply for a permit at Parks and Wildlife in Darwin.