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Explore the Tiwi Islands with a local tour guide, learning about Aboriginal culture, history, and unique rituals. Create traditional art with local artists before returning to Darwin.
A highly personalised cultural experience, ‘Tiwi By Design’ is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the busy day of one of the oldest and most artistically diverse art centres in Australia.
After disembarking from the ferry in the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, meet your Tiwi guide who will escort you to the Tiwi Design Art Centre where local artists and dancers will perform a traditional Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony and totem dances.
Enjoy a typical Tiwi morning tea of damper and a cuppa while getting to know some of the Tiwi Island community members. A walking tour with your guide will take in some of the local painted buildings and the historic mission precinct where you will see the beautiful wooden Catholic church that featured in the movie, Top End Wedding.
Visit the Patakijiyali Museum with your guide to learn the history of the Mission days, the Tiwi Creation story, Tiwi involvement in WWII and most importantly (to the Tiwi!) celebrated football players.
After a rest and lunch in the shade, you’ll get to participate in an exclusive behind-the-scenes screen printing workshop. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs to print onto a take-home t-shirt, tea towel or fabric – a wonderful souvenir of your Tiwi visit.
There's some free time to browse the carvings, paintings and fabric, your best opportunity to purchase authentic Tiwi pieces at Island prices.
This is a leisurely day of absorbing the workings of a busy Indigenous art centre – you may see art pieces destined for international exhibitions, talk to artists who are carving or painting, and sometimes the ladies will be there weaving and chatting. It is always loud and busy with Tiwi people coming and going, and Ngarukuruwala music playing on repeat.
Take the time to connect, share where you’re from and which footy team you support, ask about the stories you see on the paintings, or ask the artists to show you their work.
Read about our highly-rated tours on TripAdvisor.
| Passengers | Low Season 2025
(April, May, October, November) | High Season 2025
(June, July, August, September) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $469 | $479 |
| Child (5-14 years inclusive) | $399 | $409 |
| Senior (with valid seniors card) | $430 | $440 |
| Infant (0-4 years inclusive) | $0 | $0 |
| Months operating: April - November |
| Departure time: 8:00am |
| Return time: 5:45pm |
| Check-in: Arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time |
| Location: Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal |
Clothing
Food and drink
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No swimming
What is the duration of the tour?
The tour runs for approximately 9 hours and 45 minutes.
Where are the Tiwi Islands?
The Tiwi Islands are 80km north of Darwin, Northern Territory.
How long is the ferry ride?
The SeaLink ferry takes 2.5 hours to travel from Cullen Bay, Darwin to Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, part of the Tiwi Islands. Travel in air-conditioned comfort on SeaLink's state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans.
SeaLink Northern Territory acknowledges the Larrakia, Tiwi and Anindilyakwa Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and recognise their continued custodianship and connection to the land, waters, and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Learn more.