Explore East Arnhem Land

East Arnhem and Groote Eylandt have two seasons, the dry and the wet. However, Yolgnu culture has observed six seasons in the region. You can be treated to sunny, breezy days throughout the dry season. The wet season usually begins in November and runs until April. During this time, you can see and hear spectacular thunder and lightning storms and refreshing monsoonal rains.

East Arnhem

Gove airport is 15 kilometres from Nhulunbuy, which operates daily flights to Cairns and Darwin. Flights to Darwin take around an hour, while flights to Cairns take an hour and a half.

The Central Arnhem Road connects Nhulunbuy with the Stuart Highway just south east of Katherine. The road is primarily unsealed, and four-wheel drives are recommended. The road is only accessible 10 - 11 months of the year.

Groote Eylandt

There are regional flights to Groote Eylandt from Darwin Airport.

There's also regular ferry services from Groote Eylandt to Bickerton Island and Numbulwar, charter flights, and private boat charters.

On the island, car hire is unavailable, though vehicles can be brought over on the barge.

GEMCO offers a regular shuttle bus service between Alyangula and the Groote Eylandt Airport for Alyangula residents.

Sealink offers a bus service; you can explore the Sealink website to look over the timetable and costs.

East Arnhem

Learn about the history and culture by exploring one of the region's many art centres or museums.

Some key events include:

• Garma Festival - hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation
• East Arnhem Live
• Community festivals
• Fishing competitions

Groote Eylandt

The Groote Eylandt Game and Sport Fishing Club hosts regular activities, make sure you follow them on Facebook to be across events.

East Arnhem Regional Council offers a variety of sports and recreation programs through the nine communities in the region.

Groote Eylandt

Groote Eylandt has heaps of sporting activities to keep you busy. Make the most of your weekends by going fishing, playing golf, camping or boating.

There's also sporting clubs on the island, including netball and football.

Some facilities include a nine-hole golf course, BMX track, swimming pool, gym, squash and tennis courts. Not to mention plenty of walking tracks and ovals.

Bush fit mob run a swimming program and after-school and holiday programs for kids.

In Nhulunbuy, banking is available at the Westpac branch. There's also a post office, library and Services Australia branch.

Groote Eylandt has a variety of amenities, including the following;

• Umbakumba Cultural Centre
• Groote Eylandt Language Centre
• Access to two libraries: one is located at the Alyangula Area School which is available for all staff, students and members of the public; the other is a public library at Umbakumba.
• Church
• Post office
• Chemist
• Newsagent
• Remedial and KaHuna massage and alternative therapies
• Gift shop
• Café
• Hardware store
• Supermarket
• Bakery
• Clothing shops
• Mechanical workshop
• Vet
• Service station.

For those who live out further in the East Arnhem region, visit bushtel.nt.gov.au to understand what is available in the regional communities.

East Arnhem

There are 12 primary and secondary schools and six early childhood and childcare schools across the East Arnhem region.

Groote Eylandt

Alyangula has a single school - the Alyangula Area School, which the NT Department of Education runs. It has enrollments primarily for the younger and middle years of schooling. Although it does offer schooling from prep to year 12, the senior years of high school are typically offered through distance education. Sea Grass Early Learning and OSHC provide childcare services in Alyangula. You can phone (08) 8987 7030 or email director@seagrasslearning.org for more information.

Look over the list of schools in the East Arnhem region.

There is a range of housing options in Nhulunbuy. Accommodation is available to rent or buy through the private market.

For more information, contact the two real estate agents in Nhulunbuy.

• East Arhnem real estate
• Gove real estate

Please note: securing housing can take some lead time due to high competition.

Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL) provides rental properties to support the expansion of businesses in Nhulunbuy. More information on DEAL housing and how to apply is on the Developing East Arnhem website.

Depending on where you are moving from, prices to relocate to Nhulunbuy can vary. It's best you shop around and receive multiple quotes from multiple removalist companies. You can find more information about things to prepare for by looking over our Moving page.

Whether you decide to rent or purchase, the Northern Territory Government offers a range of assistance to homeowners to enter the market or build homes. You can find out more information by looking at our Housing page.