The Gove Peninsula Motel only minutes from Nhulunbuy township. The accommodation features beautifully-appointed guest rooms, each equipped with a kitchenette and outside seating area. This motel also has a salt-water in-ground pool, which is a favourite with the guests.
Order in or dine out at the nearby, Three C’s Café.
The Gove Boat Club is the sailor’s gateway to the Northern Territory. Located in Melville Bay – 12 kilometres from the town of Nhulunbuy, at the top of the Gulf of Carpentaria – the club caters to local and visiting yachts as well as local boating enthusiasts. Facilities at the Gove Boat Club include a dining venue and bar, not to mention one of the best sunset views in the region!
Visiting sailors are always made welcome at the Gove Boat Club and many extend their stay to take in the surrounding region of East Arnhem Land.
If you are keen to try your hand at boating, but don’t know a jib from the tiller, you are invited to join a crew for a day of fun.
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THE WATERFRONT KITCHEN
The Waterfront Kitchen serves an impressive menu and specials on a regular basis. The quality of their food and service never disappoints. Takeaway food also available.
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During the dry season, The Surf Club bar is the ultimate relaxing spot for a social mingle on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. Friday night BBQs are voluntarily run by members of the club and everyone is welcome to join in on the fun. It’s a fantastic example of the amazing sense of community we have here in East Arnhem Land.
The location of the club grounds offer a spectacular view overlooking the Arafura Sea, across to Bremer Island.
The club is also available for private functions for club members and their guests – it’s an extremely popular spot for birthday parties and other special gatherings.
Follow them on Facebook to stay in tune: Gove Peninsula Surf Lifesaving Club
The Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala is one of Australia’s premier Aboriginal art centres. Buku-Larrnggay meaning is “the feeling on your face as it is struck by the first rays of the sun (i.e. facing East)”.
This Aboriginal owned art centre was established in 1975 and supports the Yolngu people of Yirrkala and more than 20 homelands in region. The Yolngu artists from this region have established a worldwide reputation for excellence. They are well known for their bark paintings and cohered memorial poles, woodcarvings and yidaki (didgeridoos). It is in fact the traditional home of the Yidaki (digeridoo), and some of the world’s finest didgeridoos are still made in Yirrkala.
The Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre and Museum is in Yirrkala, a small Aboriginal community on the northeastern tip of the Top End of the Northern Territory, approximately 700km east of Darwin. Our primarily Yolngu (Aboriginal) staff of ten services Yirrkala and the approximately twenty-five homeland centres in the radius of 200km.
Yirrkala Arts was established formally in 1975 but art has been created here since time immemorial and shared with non-Yolngu since their arrival. In the 1960s Narritjin Maymuru set up his own beachfront gallery from which he sold art that now graces many major museums and private collections. He is counted among the art centre’s main inspirations and founders, and his picture hangs in the museum. His vision of Yolngu-owned business to sell Yolngu art that started with a shelter on a beach has now grown into a thriving business that as of 2005 puts over a million dollars into the pockets of the community’s artists every year.
The old ‘hospital’ or clinic in which many of the artists of today were born was converted to become the ‘craft shop’ and over the years there have been a number of additions and renovations. The current centre is an impressive building belying its humble beginnings. The additions include: a Museum (1988); screen print workshop and extra gallery spaces (1996); and the Yirrkala Church Panels annexe (1998), a theatrette and multi-media centre (2007).
The Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Museum displays a collection of works specifically created for it in the mid-1970s and early 80s by elders which provides an outline of the kinship structure of the Yolngu world. The jewels of the collection are the two four metre tall Yirrkala Church Panels (1962-3) that have been described as amongst the most important Australian art in existence.
Entry to the museum is by Gold Coin Donation.
Culture College is an Arnhem Land-based Indigenous cultural and outdoor education immersion program tailored for secondary school students and their parents (optional) designed to simultaneously educate and inspire our ‘leaders of tomorrow’ and to invigorate the local homeland economies in the Northern Territory of Australia. 7 to 10 day standard programs with duration and activity flexibility.
Program Partners
- LJ Hooker Corporation
- Northern Territory Government
- Rio Tinto Alcan
- Sodexo
- Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism
- Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
- Yirrkala Rangers
- Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre & Museum
- Yothu Yindi Foundation
- Gumatj Corporation
- NT Learning Adventures
- Yirrkala Community School
- Yirrkala Homeland Schools
- Nhulunbuy High School
- Airnorth
- Nyinyikay Homeland
- Bukudal Homeland
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The Garma Festival takes place every August at the Gulkula Yolgnu Ceremonial site. Garma incorporates visual art, ancient storytelling, dance – including the famous nightly bunggul – and music, as well as other important forums and education and training program programs relevant to cultural tourism, craft, governance and youth leadership.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event!
Gayngaru Walking Trail (Town Lagoon) is minutes from Nhulunbuy town centre. This tranquil wetland has abundant wildlife and tall strands of paperbarks. Gayngaru was once a popular and fertile hunting area for Yolngu and today the cultural significance of the area remains.
The Gayngaru lagoon provided an important source of freshwater and food. The men hunted the gurrumatji (magpie geese) and their eggs as well as minhala (long-necked freshwater tortoise). The women collected water lilies and räkay (water chestnuts).
The Gayngaru Wetlands Interpretive Walk surrounds the Lagoon. Along the path are two separate viewing platforms and a bird hide, which enable visitors to enjoy the birdlife. There are also interpretive signs near plants of significance showing bush food and bush medicine used by Yolngu people. There is a Winter and a Tropical Summer season walk with the tropical Summer walk being shorter due to higher water levels.
The aim is for people to obtain a better understanding of the local plant and animals species of Gayngaru and their importance to Yolngu. There is an over-water observatory platform, ideal for bird watchers, photographers and nature lovers. An interpretative walking trail guide is available from the Visitor Information Centre.
Please respect the area by not damaging the plants or signs or littering. It is important to remember not to eat any plants or berries unless in the company of a Yolngu guide and to remain away from the water’s edge.
Enjoy a fishing trip over the reefs or a deep sea fishing tour with the stunning Northern Territory coastline as your backdrop. Target a variety of fish species including Barramundi Cod, Mackerel, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Golden Snapper, Jew Fish and Queenfish. This area is one of the least fished in Australia and can offer you the most unique fishing experience from Nhulunbuy.
Gove Sports Fishing Charter packages range from half day to 7 days. If you are just passing through Nhulunbuy, Gove they can take you to the immediate local fishing areas for a half or full day fishing charter. If you have more time, head over to their Fishing Safaris Retreat where you spend each night on their exclusive beachside campsite retreat on Wigram Island.
When staying on Wigram Island you are on the doorstep of the Wessel Islands, English Company Islands, and Bromby Island – these are the best fishing areas in Australia and staying on Wigram Island means less travel time and more fishing time! Your catches can be frozen each day so you can take them home with you at the end of your trip. Our staff are also happy to take one or two of your fresh catches and prepare a scrumptious evening meal.
The Island Retreat, the beautiful Wigram Island, is located approximately 2-3 hours travel from Nhulunbuy, Gove, on our boat. They have exclusive tented accommodation on this island so you are guaranteed privacy and exclusivity on your visit. There will no other holidaymakers on the Island, it is all yours to enjoy and explore!
Half Day or Full Day Fishing
We offer half and full day fishing charters if you are short on time but still want to fit in that ultimate fishing experience!
Town-based Packages
On these packages, you stay each night in Gove (Nhulunbuy) Accommodation (either the Walkabout Lodge or Gove Pensinsula Motel) and fish each day from there. All packages include one free day in Gove so you can explore the area. These packages suit Anglers who like creature comforts!
Island Safari Packages
On these packages, you stay each night on the Wigram Island Retreat. The permanent campsite on Wigram Island is beachside offering twin share accommodation with comfortable full sized single beds. Flushing toilets and fresh water showers are available. These packages suit Anglers who want the ultimate fishing adventure and the experience of staying on a pristine and untouched island.
At the Walkabout Lodge & Tavern you’ll be within a short 5-minute stroll of Nhulunbuy township. Highlights at this beachfront lodge include 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and an outdoor swimming pool. The Lodge provides guest accommodation and function facilities to cater for weddings, small to medium conferences and seminars and other special events.
A camper trailer park with 12 powered sites & amenities block is available for campers exploring the region by four wheel drive during the dry season
Spend the day at the beach and enjoy the onsite nightclub. Added amenities include a coffee shop/cafe and laundry facilities. There’s also the convenience of free self parking.
LATITUDE 12 RESTAURANT & BAR
Suitably named after Nhulunbuy’s geographical location, Latitude 12 Restaurant has great service and even better food. With a regularly updated eclectic menu, you can’t go wrong at Latitude 12.
Nestled within The Walkabout Lodge, this classy dining experience remains comfortable and relaxing.
Whether you’re in need of a celebratory night with your mates or a meal that the whole family can enjoy; Latitude 12 is the place to go!
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WALKABOUT TAVERN
Situated in the centre of town, you can enjoy a drink or two with a welcoming local vibe and great company. The Tavern screens live sporting events regularly and has one of the best beer gardens in town. Its large capacity allows them to often host community events (18+) where locals can enjoy beers and a barbeque.
On the weekend, The Tavern turns into The Jam Nightclub, which naturally draws in a slightly younger crowd. With local and interstate DJs playing regularly, The Jam is a great opportunity to go out and enjoy a city-like nightclub environment. If you’re looking for the most happening place to be on a Friday night; this is probably it.
Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts Centre is located in the stunning, remote community of Gapuwiyak, also known as Lake Evella, located 120km west of East Arnhem Land. The Art Centre sell locally produced art work and house their own collection. Their Media center has a growing archive of old and new media relevant for the community . Artists get support through the use of tools, obtainable materials as paint, ochre , sandpaper etc.
There are a couple of ways you can travel to visit the Gapuwiyak Arts & Cultural Centre from Nhulunbuy. Fly with MAF, Laynhapuy Aviation or Black Diamond Aviation.
