Tiwi Islands

Melville and Bathurst Islands are collectively known as the Tiwi Islands, the ancestral home of the Tiwi people. Located just 80 kilometres north of Darwin in the Northern Territory, the Tiwi Islands offer a rare insight into one of the world’s oldest living cultures, surrounded by some of Australia’s most pristine and untouched natural environments.

A Culture as Old as Time

The Tiwi people have lived on these islands since at least the last ice age, when rising seas separated the islands from the mainland approximately 11,000 years ago. This long period of isolation gave rise to a distinct Tiwi language, culture, and way of life. The Tiwi have their own traditions of dance (yoi), song, storytelling, and art — all deeply connected to land, sea, and ceremony.

Today, visitors can witness this proud cultural heritage through:

  • Traditional dance and song performances

  • Stunning ochre artwork, carvings, and textiles produced by Tiwi artists

  • A living connection to ancestral lore and spiritual landscapes

Communities of the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands are home to three main communities:

In addition, there are several smaller outstations and communities, including Wurankuwu, Paru, Pickataramoor, Taracumbi, Yimpinari (Conder Point), Takampirmili, Pitjimirra, and Four Mile. Each community plays a vital role in keeping culture strong and fostering intergenerational learning and connection to country.

One special place is Tiwi College, located at Pickataramoor in southern Melville Island. This unique school is owned and operated by the Tiwi people through the Tiwi Education Board and offers students a 24-hour learning environment, helping them become “work ready.” Despite challenges during "the wet" season, when flooding can cut off roads, dedicated staff ensure students remain supported and engaged.

Nature Untouched

Spanning 8,320 square kilometres, the Tiwi Islands are a natural paradise of eucalypt, paperbark and monsoon vine forests, coastal wetlands, hidden waterfalls, and deserted beaches. A spectacular network of mangrove-lined rivers, sand flats, and coastal reefs supports an incredible array of marine and animal life, including:

  • Saltwater crocodiles, dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles

  • Buffalo, wallabies, bandicoots, flying foxes

  • Kingfishers, jabiru, eagles, falcons, hawks, and numerous waterbirds

The islands are also home to 19 threatened plant species and 30 threatened animal species, as well as thriving populations of small mammals that have declined elsewhere on mainland Australia.

Home of Tiwi Football

The Tiwi Islands are also celebrated as the birthplace of many famous AFL, SANFL, and WAFL players. Football is a central part of Tiwi life, and the Tiwi Islands Football League is a major cultural and sporting highlight.

Each year, the Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final draws crowds from across the NT and beyond. Held in early August, this highly anticipated event is a celebration of sport, skill, and community spirit — one of the best times to visit and experience the Tiwi Islands in full colour and energy.

Getting Here

Access to the islands is via ferry or air from Darwin. All visits to Aboriginal land require a permit, and the best way to experience the Tiwi Islands is through a guided cultural tour, which ensures a respectful, enriching, and meaningful journey.