Northern Exposure

Travel and Tourism - Arnhem Land
and the Gove Peninsula

Arnhem Land is a culturally strong, remote, and pristine environment. Yolngu (Aboriginal) people solely own Arnhem Land and
have lived in this region for at least 60,000 years with recognised land and marine estates.

Clans living throughout Arnhem Land hunt fish, bush animals and seasonal bush foods.
Today Yolngu retain their cultural and spiritual links to the area.

East Arnhem Land is one of the last wilderness areas on earth, yet all services can be found in the town of Nhulunbuy,
located on the Gove Peninsula approximately 750 km by road from Katherine and home to about 4,000 people.

Nabalco built the town on a special purpose lease in 1971 to service its bauxite mine, despite concern from the Yolngu.
However, the town is now an intricate part of the region, making it an ideal base from which to explore.

The Gove Peninsula is scenic, with long white sandy beaches, azure waters and green vegetation.
This is where the Gulf of Carpentaria meets the Arafura Sea and the temperatures range
between 28C and 30C with plenty of cool breezes.

For information on Parks and Reserves in the Arnhem Land region, see:

Garig Gunak Barlu National Park

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