Nhulunbuy and the Gove Peninsula offers an abundance of recreational activities from sport to camping
Leases and permits
The township of Nhulunbuy is located on leased Indigenous land, and while people are free to travel within the Nhulunbuy town lease boundary and industrial leases, they will need a permit if they wish to leave these areas for recreation or travel purposes.
The permits are designed to make Indigenous land accessible to tourists, visitors and workers. The permits ensure the privacy of Indigenous people, the protection of the environment and promote the safety of visitors. There are many areas considered sacred or significant and the system helps visitors to avoid causing offence or disrupting cultural activities.
Recreation permits are obtained from Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, and road transit permits for travelling the Central Arnhem Highway or ‘the track’ between Gove and Katherine are obtained from the Northern Land Council in Nhulunbuy or Katherine.
In order to visit Ganarrimirri (Shady Beach), Garrai (Rocky Bay Beach) and Witimurru (Yirrkala Boat Ramp) an additional permit must be obtained from Yirrkala Dhanbul Community Association. To visit Gowupu (Catalina boat ramp) you require a permit from the Northern Land Council.
The table below lists the areas that require a recreation permit to visit from the Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation. Permits are for two or 12-month periods, and those marked with an asterisk (*) require an extra permit, also obtained from Dhimurru, which are charged at a daily rate:
- Nanydjaka * (Cape Arnhem)
- Guwatjurumurru (Giddy River)
- Ganami *(Wonga Creek)
- Banambarrnga (Rainbow Cliff)
- Wirrwawuy (Cape Wirawawoi)
- Wupurr (Melville Bay)
- Wathawuy (Latram River and
- Goanna Lagoon)
- Gapuru* (Memorial Park)
- Lombuy (Crocodile Creek)
- Ganinyara (The Granites)
- Daliwuy (Daliwoi Bay)
- Baringura (Little Bondi)
- Dhamitjinya (East Woody Island)
- Nhumuy (Turtle Beach)
- Rängura (Caves Beach)
- Lurrupukurru (Oyster Beach)
- Gumuniya (Buffalo Creek)
- Gadalathami (Town Beach)
- Yarrapay (Rocky Point)
Driving
Remember that during the wet season (November to April) some roads and tracks may become impassable, contact the Department of Planning and Infastructure for Road Report or with Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation for information on road access to recreation areas.
Caravans:
The Central Arnhem Road is not recommended for caravans, only sturdy off-road camper trailers. The Northern Land Council will not approve a permit to tow a caravan into East Arnhem Land and Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation will not issue a Visitor Recreation Permit to anyone with a caravan.
Fuel and food:
Nhulunbuy has one petrol station and two supermarkets. Travelling on the Central Arnhem Road requires carrying fuel and basic food supplies. Fuel and refreshments are available at the Mainoru Outback Store, about 256km from the Stuart Highway. Carrying an emergency supply of fuel and food is a good idea wherever you are going. It is essential to carry plenty of water, at least 20 litres.
Fatigue:
Distances in the Northern Territory can be long and fatigue is one of the most frequent causes of serious motor vehicle accidents. Make sure you take a break regularly.
Speed Limits:
The Northern Territory has no speed limit on the open road. However, the Central Arnhem Road is not recommended for speeds over 80 km per hour.Most roads in the East Arnhem region are of formed gravel and road conditions vary greatly throughout the year. Caution should be exercised.
Seatbelts:
Seatbelts save lives. For this reason by law in the Northern Territory everyone in a vehicle fitted with seatbelts must wear it. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing a belt and fines are imposed for those found not wearing a seatbelt.
Road trains:
The Northern Territory is renowned for its road trains, some of which can be three trailers (50m) long. They need plenty of room and if you contemplate overtaking them ensure that you have at least 1km of clear, straight road ahead.
Flooded roadways:
Unless you are sure of the water depth, flow rate and any road damage do not attempt to cross flooded bridges or causeways. Most importantly, do not ignore signs.
Wildlife:
There is a lot of wildlife to be enjoyed, but please take care when driving particularly at dawn or dusk when the wildlife is most active. Stock and wildlife often feed on road edges or wander across the road. Be particularly wary of road wandering buffaloes during these times.
Dust:
Dust on outback roads can pose a danger, obscuring vision of the road ahead. It is best to wait for the dust to settle.
Lost or broken down:
A missing vehicle is easier to locate than missing people, so NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE regardless of the circumstances. Economise on water if you are away from a main road. If you intend to leave a main road let somebody trustworthy know of your plans, your intended route and your expected time of arrival. Importantly, let them know you have arrived safely.
Four wheel driving:
Driving on unsealed roads and tracks requires additional care and preparation. Driving a four-wheel drive does not mean you will not get bogged or that you can ‘go anywhere’. It does mean that you will be able to access more remote areas though and if you are new to four-wheel driving extra concentration will be required. Braking distances on unsealed roads are longer and four-wheel drive vehicles are more unstable than a conventional care, particularly at high speeds.
Entering Aboriginal land:
Arnhem Land is a vast tract of nearly 100,000 sq km of Aboriginal owned land is one of Australia’s last strongholds of traditional Aboriginal culture. The Yolngu (as the Aboriginal people of the region call themselves) have inalienable freehold title over this land, currently with the exception of the mining lease that the town of Nhulunbuy is located on. The Aboriginal Land Trust holds this title. Permission to enter Arnhem Land MUST be obtained from the Northern Land Council
Entering pastoral property:
Pastoral properties (like Aboriginal land) are private property. If you are going off-road make sure that the road is a public access road or obtain permission to pass through from the relevant landowner. When passing through leave everything as you found it i.e. closed gates should be closed again and open gates left open.