Bathurst Island

Bathurst Island lies 80 kilometres to the north of Darwin in the Arafura Sea and has been the home of the Tiwi Islanders for thousands of years. Nguiu is the largest of several Aboriginal communities operating on the island. All visitors must have a permit from the Tiwi Land Council. Bathurst Island was first sighted by Europeans in 1644, when Abel Tasman passed on his way from Batavia.

In 1910 a church minister persuaded the South Australian government to give him 10,000 acres of land on Bathurst Island to build a mission for the Tiwi Islanders. The mission achieved the dubious distinction of being the first place in Australia to experience foreign invasion when, on 19 February 1942, Japanese bombers, on their way to Darwin, bombed Nguiu.

In 1978 the ownership of Bathurst Island was formally handed back to the Tiwi people and today the island is run by the Tiwi Land Council. It is said that the word 'Tiwi' means 'people, the people or, perhaps, the chosen people. No visit to Bathurst Island would be complete without a tour of its art and craft galleries. The Tiwi people's distinctive style is popular with collectors, who snap up bark paintings, textiles, pottery and wood carvings. The exciting annual footy grand final day (which is accompanied by an art sale) in Nguiu is an event not to be missed.

Temperatures for Bathurst Island

Bathurst Island has hot summer temperatures. The summer high temperature for Bathurst Island is approximately 34 °c. The summer low temperature is approximately 24 °c.

Bathurst Island has warm winter temperatures. The winter high temperature for Bathurst Island is approximately 33 °c. The winter low temperature is approximately 16 °c.

MONTH	LOW °c	HIGH °c
January	24	34
February	24	34
March	24	33
April	24	32
May	22	32
June	20	30
July	19	30
August	20	31
September	23	32
October	25	33
November	25	33
December	25	34

Northern Territory DVD (Australia's Outback)

Purchase this DVD that showcases this unique part of Australia. Includes footage of Kakadu, with its lush rivers, billabongs and wetlands. Yellow Waters, Twin and Jim Jim Falls. The mysterious paintings of ancient Aboriginal artists including Arnhem Land at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock.

Visit Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and the warm waters of Mataranka Thermal Pool, plus the sandstone shapes in the Lost City near Cape Crawford.

Experience Darwin, the capital of Australia's Tropical North with it's many attractions. Learn about Alice Springs, where legendary tales of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station can be heard. The MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm and Glen Helen Gorge, Uluru ( Ayers Rock ) and the magnificent domes of Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas ) also feature.

Featured Northern Territory Dvds and Videos


NORTHERN TERRITORYS TOP END - Land of Natures Dreaming BUY ONLINE	NORTHERN TERRITORYS CENTRE - Land of the Rainbow Gold BUY ONLINE	NORTHERN TERRITORY REFLECTIONS - A Musical Odyssey across a Timeless Land BUY ONLINE	NORTHERN TERRITORY - Australias Outback BUY ONLINE