Nhulunbuy and the Gove Peninsula offers an abundance of recreational activities from sport to camping
RECREATION
There are bicycle and walking tracks throughout town, offering both scenery and fitness. Gayngaru Nature Walk is popular, walking to our Wetlands with viewing platforms over Town Lagoon (Gayngaru). Roy Marika Lookout and Interpretive Centre is on Mt Saunders and is a popular place for visitors.
Click below to view our current Nhulunbuy Town Map:
If you didn’t already know, the area is well known for the fantastic fishing and camping areas, not to mention the spectacular beaches. There are many in and surrounding Gove that area easily accessible, some do require special permits through Dhimurru Land Management.
The recreation areas managed by Dhimurru offer a wide range of settings, from sandy white beaches and rugged coastline to expanses of open forests and shaded inland waterways.
There are opportunities for fishing, boating, camping, walking and exploring the diverse vegetation and landscape features.
Recreation destinations are signposted and details about facilities and access can be obtained from the Dhimurru office. Permits are required to visit all of these areas.
A Visitor’s Guide: Recreation Areas – North East Arnhem Land published by Dhimurru is an excellent booklet that provides maps and cultural information including stories narrated by Yolngu elders explaining the significance of many locations. The Visitors Guide can be purchased from Dhimurru, local art centres, or the local Newsagent.
The following recreation areas require a general permit:
- Guwatjurumurru
- Wathawuy
- Rangura
- Lurrupukurru
- Daliwuy
- Garanhan
- Ngumuy
- Baningura
- Yarrapay
- Banambarrnga
- Gumuniya
- Nhulun
- Gadalathami
- Wirrwawuy
- Dhamatjinya
- Lombuy
- Wopurrwuy
- Ganinyara
- Galaru
The following recreation areas require a special permit:
Where to stay in Nhulunbuy
- Gove Peninsula Motel 08 8987 0700 govemotel.com
- Walkabout Lodge 08 8987 1777 walkaboutlodge.com.au
- Walkabout Trailer Park (opening this dry season)
There are plenty of things for the family to do in Nhulunbuy like visiting one of our playgrounds which are very popular for families, mothers groups, home daycare mum’s and more. The playgrounds offer a full range of activities as well as bbq facilities and drinking bubblers.
The Home of the Croc on the Bike
Sport is extremely popular in Nhulunbuy and there are many popular facilities. There is Nhulunbuy BMX Club and facility. Nhulunbuy BMX fundraise there weekly and it is a fantastic place to take the family for a well known BMX Hamburger! To find out more about Nhulunbuy BMX Club visit the website below.
Nhulunbuy Speedway is also a popular facility which provides some of Nhulunbuy’s largest family events along with Gove Surf Life Saving who provides not only a fantastic sport, but also provide the town with weekly events to fundraise. You can take the family down on a Friday night for dinner, and head down to Little Bondi Beach on Sundays to see the Surf Life Saving in action.
Surf Lifesaving Northern Territory
Nhulunbuy Town Pool
Nhulunbuy Town Pool is always a popular family friendly place which has bbq facilities and a small kiosk with swimming gear and refreshments. Nhulunbuy Town Pool is unique, offering “Key Club” to all residents which allows 24 Hour key access all year round. Keys can be purchased at the pool during business hours. Nhulunbuy Swimming Club along with many different other exercise groups like aqua aerobics and Learn to Swim programs are run through the pool. Contact our Pool Manager on (08) 8987 1673 for more information.
Hindle Oval Sporting Grounds
NCL maintains Hindle Oval’s and are utilized all year round with Soccer, Touch Football, Rugby League, Rugby Union, School sport and athletics along with popular annual events like the well know Arnhem Cluster.
Arnhem Cluster
Arnhem Cluster is run by School Sports NT and is a cluster of sporting competition made up of a diverse range of schools situated in the East Arnhem Land region. There are fifteen schools which extend over an area approximately the size of Tasmania.
To book a sporting event or function, please contact our Community Recreation Officer kkenway@ncl.net.au or 8939 2200
Gove Country Golf Club
Gove Country Golf Club is located in Nhulunbuy overlooking the prestine East Woody Beach. The course is a 9 hole all grass course, with alternate tee positions to make up a Par 72 (ACR 71) course of 6110 metres. Situated at the Gove Country Golf Club is The Waterfront Kitchen, offering meals in air conditioned comfort or alfresco with panoramic views over the water or golf course.
Gove Yacht Club
Gove Yacht Club is situated in Melville Bay and is a not for profit club offering many services including affordable family meals, take away upon request, Bar, EFTPOS, ATM, music nights, pool table, big screen TV, member’s draw & raffles during Happy hour. Bar, EFTPOS, ATM, music nights, pool table, big screen TV, member’s draw & raffles during Happy hour, provision of Ice ($3 per bag), Liquor take-away. The Sand Bar is also available for small functions.
The Arnhem Club
The Arnhem Club is a not for profit, family club catering for the needs of the broad community of Nhulunbuy. It offers important financial and in-kind support to many schools, sporting groups, charities and non-government supported community organisations. The Arnhem Club provides a wide range of sporting faciltiies, entertainment, gaming room, promotions and events, dining options and full corporate and social function venues to its members, their guests and visitors alike. At the Arnhem Club we strive to provide something to suit everyone’s tastes.
The Walkabout Lodge
The walkabout lodge has a fully licensed restaurant, open everyday for lunch or dinner. Take advantage of our catered function facilities for your next business conference or special event. Begin your stay with us in style with a cocktail by the shaded resort swimming pool and then get ready for adventure.
Major Events
Throughout the year there are thousands of events on offer with the major events being Gove Peninsula Festival (govefestival.org.au), Rotary Beach Volleyball, Make-A-Wish Masquerade Ball to name a few.
To find out what’s on see our Events Calendar