Gove Trip Overview
Wild, spiritual and remote – welcome to East Arnhem Land
In the farthest reaches of remote Northern Australia lies East Arnhem Land. This vast and rugged wilderness is where the Yolngu people have lived for millennia. Today you’ll still find clans fishing, sailing and enjoying the homeland of their ancestors. Discover this beautiful stretch of traditional land in the Bawaka Homeland, and learn how to hunt and gather, paint, weave, and hear stories of the area and history of the region, all under the guidance of Yolngu leaders. Then depart the mainland for nearby Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) and feel like castaways marooned on this spectacular oasis, devoid of human development and interference. Don’t pass up this unique opportunity to witness the close cultural connection between the land and The First Peoples of Australia, the oldest civilization on Earth.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 days
Starts: Gove, Australia
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Gove Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Gove, Northern Territory, Australia
Wild, spiritual and remote – welcome to East Arnhem Land
In the farthest reaches of remote Northern Australia lies East Arnhem Land. This vast and rugged wilderness is where the Yolngu people have lived for millennia. Today you’ll still find clans fishing, sailing and enjoying the homeland of their ancestors. Discover this beautiful stretch of traditional land in the Bawaka Homeland, and learn how to hunt and gather, paint, weave, and hear stories of the area and history of the region, all under the guidance of Yolngu leaders. Then depart the mainland for nearby Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) and feel like castaways marooned on this spectacular oasis, devoid of human development and interference. Don’t pass up this unique opportunity to witness the close cultural connection between the land and The First Peoples of Australia, the oldest civilization on Earth.
Itinerary
Day 1: Gove / Nhulunbuy
Stop At: Nhulunbuy, Nhulunbuy, Top End, Northern Territory
Welcome to your East Arnhem Land adventure. After you land at Gove airport, you’ll be met by your Yolngu guide and transferred to your accommodation in the town of Nhulunbuy. Take some time to relax before a Welcome Meeting at 6:30 pm this evening, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and your Yolngu guide will provide an overview of the upcoming days. The rest of the evening is free – maybe get your new friends together for a first group dinner in the hotel, or in one of the restaurants here in Nhulunbuy.
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be checking insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative or your travel agent know.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel
Day 2: Yirrkala – Bawaka Homeland
Stop At: Yirrkala Arts Centre and Mulka Project, Tuffin Road, Yirrkala, Northern Territory Australia
After breakfast this morning head for the community of Yirrkala for a visit to its world-famous art gallery. The Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre presents artworks created by men and women of the many Aboriginal groups in the area, with paintings, sculptures, wood crafts, and cross-hatching techniques on display. You can also see bark petitions which symbolise the beginning of the Indigenous Lands Rights movement. There is also an opportunity to learn about how this establishment serves as a learning centre for the local children of the surrounding communities, and only if you wish, to purchase unique artwork from the gallery.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Yirrkala, Yirrkala, Top End, Northern Territory
Make the short drive to Lovely Beach – no need to guess why it’s called that – and enjoy lunch along the sand. Afterwards, head south to the eastern edge of East Arnhem Land and Bawaka Homeland, which looks out into the Gulf of Carpentaria. You’ll be greeted with a traditional smoking ceremony Welcome to Country and general orientation to the homeland. A family elder will lead a Yolngu cultural class, sharing and telling the story of the homeland.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bunkhouse
Day 3: Yirrkala – Bawaka Homeland
Stop At: Bawaka, East Arnhem NT 0822, Australia
Enjoy cultural activities with the Bawaka traditional owners. These could include making spears and Yidaki (Didgeridoos) for men, collecting materials and dyes for basket making, or creating necklaces and other jewellery. There will also be an opportunity to witness the hunting and gathering methods that have fed the Yolngu for generations, and to try some of the food that has been caught or collected, like mud crabs or bush honey. You might also learn about bush medicine, the Yolngu kinship system and language, and how the Yolngu people lived on their traditional lands. At the end of each day, sit with the traditional owners around the fire and make the most of this unique opportunity to learn about their culture, to hear the songs, music and stories of the land.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bunkhouse
Day 4: Bawaka Homeland – Nhulunbuy
Stop At: Nhulunbuy, Nhulunbuy, Top End, Northern Territory
Make the most of your last morning here in Bawaka with any cultural activities you haven’t had the chance to participate in yet. Then it’s time to say farewell to your Yolngu hosts and make your way back to Nhulunbuy. Check back into your accommodation and enjoy dinner together with the group. Then it’s time to meet up with your guides again and share stories of your stay at Bawaka.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel
Day 5: Dhambaliya (Bremer Island)
Stop At: Bremer Island, Bremer Island, Top End, Northern Territory
After breakfast this morning head to the nearby jetty to jump in a speedboat for the trip across to Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) (approximately 1 hour). You’ll be staying in an eco-sensitive beach retreat built in partnership with the Yolgnu people at the northern tip of the island. This is glamping right next to world-class beaches in rooms that overlook the sand, with decks from which to watch the sun disappear behind the ocean and a pool overlooking the Arafura Sea. The day is free for a number of activities or simply relaxing. Perhaps set out on one of the many walking trails through the dunes and along untouched beaches, or you may even have the privilege of seeing turtles nesting if the time of year is right. Of the six species in the world, four of these lay their eggs right here. If this is sounding too active to you, then just sit back, relax, and experience the remote solitude and a chance to recharge.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Beach Bungalow
Day 6: Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) – Nhulunbuy/Gove
Stop At: Gove, Gove, Northern Territory
Enjoy a final breakfast at this calm waterside retreat before catching a boat back to the mainland. Return to Nhulunbuy and on to Gove airport for your farewell to East Arnhem Land and your outbound flight.
Included is a Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer.
Please note that the departure time from the island will be dependent on the flight schedule from Gove Airport. Normally we are likely to leave mid morning or around lunch time for Nhulunbuy.
If you wish to stay longer on Bremer Island, please ensure you book additional nights well in advance.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.