Travel Guide Tiwi Islands

Located 80 km north of Darwin, at the junction of the Arafura Sea to the east and the Timor Sea to the west, these islands, populated by about 2,500 people, were "discovered" by Abel Tasman in 1644 and are today a destination off the beaten track. Melville Island is the second largest island in Australia after Tasmania. 2 km separate it from Bathurst Island where Wurrumiyanga/Nguiu, the main town founded in 1911 by a Catholic mission, is located. These two islands and the other 9 uninhabited ones are home to a fauna and flora that cannot be found anywhere else. The population (90% Aborigines) is very welcoming and fond of fishing and Australian soccer! The Grand Final every year in March gathers up to 3,000 people in Bathurst, don't hesitate to go there for an incredible cultural experience (dates on google Tiwi Football Grand Final)!