Soak up the spectacular scenery, immerse yourself in art and culture, and find paradise.
8.5 average daily sunshine hours
Population 14,000
Median age 28
33,457km² total land area
East Arnhem
The East Arnhem region is known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural history and relaxed lifestyle. The town of Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula is the largest centre in the region, the main service and business hub for the area, and has a population of around 3,600 people.
There are more than 70 homelands throughout the region, with populations ranging from 10 to 150 people in each. East Arnhem has a total population of just over 14,000 people.
Many residents live outside of the urban centre, Nhulunbuy, in communities and homelands.
Groote Eylandt
Experience island life, enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and soak up the natural beauty.
Groote Eylandt is a remote island off the coast of the Northern Territory south east of Nhulunbuy in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The island is home to seven Anindilyakwa communities made up of 14 clans and includes small sub-regional regional service and mining town in Alyangula.
The largest Anindiyakwa communities are Angurugu and Umbakumba, located on Groote Eylandt, and Milyakburra, located on Bickerton Island. There are a number of satellite communities (homelands) including 4 Mile, Malkala, Little Paradise, and Bartalumba Bay, located close to the communities and Alyangula.
East Arnhem and Groote Eylandt have two broad seasons, the dry and the wet. The dry season (April to October) brings sunny, breezy days and clear blue skies. The wet season (November to March) sees rejuvenating monsoon rains, spectacular thunderstorms and mesmerising lightning displays.
Yolŋu and Anindilyakwa cultures recognises six distinct weather cycles. Each cycle is defined by observations of thousands of years of weather patterns throughout the region.
East Arnhem
Gove airport is 15 kilometres from Nhulunbuy. Airnorth operates daily flights to both Cairns (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes) and Darwin (approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes) with easy connections to both domestic and international destinations.
The Central Arnhem Road connects Nhulunbuy with the Stuart Highway just southeast of Katherine. This road is predominantly unsealed, and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.
Groote Eylandt
There are direct flights to Darwin from Groote Eylandt.
Direct flights to Darwin from Groote Eylandt operate several times per week. Cairns is also easily accessible via a short stopover in near-by Nhulunbuy. Vehicles can be brought over on the barge and car hire is available through ALC and GEBIEGEMCO 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
Information about community events in Nhulunbuy is located here.
Groote Eylandt
The Anindilyakwa Land Council and Groote Eylandt Game and Sport Fishing Club hosts regular activities, you can follow them on their website and Facebook to be across events.
East Arnhem Regional Council offers a variety of sports and recreation programs through the nine communities in the region.
In Nhulunbuy there are over 30 clubs and associations with multiple options for both adult and youth sports and recreation, details are easily available locally.
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.
Facilities include a nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, gym, squash, lawn bowls and tennis courts. Not to mention plenty of walking tracks and ovals.
Bush fit mob run 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.
In most communities and towns, you'll find local stores where you can shop for all the essential items you need. Nhulunbuy features a Woolworths, pharmacy, news agency, warehouse and fishing tackle shop for all the everyday necessities. There is also an industrial estate that has mechanics, panel repair, boat servicing, car hire, construction and various trades.
The Yirrkala Community Store is a part-Yolŋu owned general store located in the Yirrkala community, a 15 minute drive from Nhululunbuy stocking fresh produce, grocery items, ice and bait, clothing, general hardware and a great selection for children.
The Gopu Community Store is a Yolŋu managed general store located in the Gunyaŋara community, a 15 minute drive from Nhulunbuy stocking a range of locally produced artwork and jewellery items as well as groceries, fruit, hot lunches and great coffee!
Laynhapuy Homelands community stores operate in Gangan, Garrthalala, Wandawuy, and Baniyala/ Yilpara providing regular deliveries of fresh and healthy food and household products.
ALPA operates remote community stores in Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Milingimbi, Minjilang, Ramingining.
In Nhulunbuy there are over 30 clubs and associations with multiple options for both adult and youth sports and recreation.
There is a large community library, an olympic sized swimming pool, multiple playgrounds, a skate park, play group, art centres, golf, tennis courts, squash courts, toy library and two large sporting ovals as well as indoor sporting facilities at the schools.
Other attractions include Garanhan (Macassan Beach), Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre, Gove Boat Club, Wanuwuy (Cape Arnhem), Bawaka and Lonely Beach, Banambarrna (Rainbow Cliff), East Arnhem Islands, Wathuwuy (Goanna Lagoon) and Gapuru (Memorial Park).
Groote Eylandt offers a variety of amenities, including an airport, golf club plus the Groote Eylandt Language Centre.
The library at Alyangula Area School is available for use by all staff, students and members of the public. A second public library is available at Umbakumba.
Alyangula Play Group is held weekly on Wednesday’s between 9am – 11am at the ASECH Hall. for play, social interaction, and developmental activities. It's a great way for kids to learn and have fun while parents and caregivers connect and support each other
There is a 25m swimming pool, childcare centre facilities, sporting facilities, a training centre, church and health centre.
There is also a post office, a chemist, newsagency, gym, café, hardware store, and a supermarket. The town also has a hairdresser, beauty therapist, takeaway food outlets, mechanical workshop, a visiting veterinarian, and a service station.
The Country Women’s Association (CWA) also has a Groote Eylandt branch that presents regular events including bingo, themed nights, and fishing competitions. CWA also runs the local op shop and book nook.
Groote Wholefoods market runs in Alyangula every second Saturday. For more information visit their Facebook page.
Discover the essence of Anindilyakwa culture on Anindilyakwa Radio. The station is your local source for uplifting content and vital information.
More information on these regions is available in the downloadable guides and links to local organisations located at the bottom of this page.
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.
You can complete a student enrolment form online or in person at your child’s new school.
Further information about schools in the area are available on the Northern Territory Government website.
East Arnhem
There are 12 primary and secondary schools and six early childhood and childcare schools across the East Arnhem region.
In Nhulunbuy, childcare is available at Arnhem Early Learning Centre and Nhulunbuy Child Care Centre.
Groote Eylandt
Alyangula has a single school - the Alyangula Area School, which the NT Department of Education runs. 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.
East Arnhem has a very limited supply of housing. It can be very difficult to obtain housing in East Arnhem and Groote Eylandt. While there is occasionally accommodation available to rent or buy through the private market, most accommodation is provided by an employer.
For more information regarding Nhulunbuy, contact the two real estate agents in Nhulunbuy.
Please note: securing housing can take some lead time due to high competition.
Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL) provides rental properties in Nhulunbuy to support the expansion of businesses in Nhulunbuy. More information on DEAL housing and how to apply is on the Developing East Arnhem website.
Download Regional Guides
The following guides contain even more information around what its like to live and work in each region, with additional information about shopping, dining, attractions, Aboriginal language groups and more.
Look at the East Arnhem Land website for tourism and visitor information on the area
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Explore more
Regional living guides
Alice Springs & Surrounds
Alice Springs (or Mparntwe in Arrernte language) is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory, with a population of approximately 33,000 people.
Katherine & Surrounds
Katherine and surrounds, also known as the Big Rivers region extends from the Western Australian border to the Gulf of Carpentaria and along the Queensland border.
Tennant Creek & Barkly Region
Tennant Creek is your authentic outback town with one main street and local stores. It's located between Alice Springs and Katherine and is known as the Golden Heart.
Darwin & Surrounds
Learn more about what Darwin and surrounds has to offer by way of schools, transport, entertainment and more.