A white and blue ferry sails in the ocean

Tiwi Islands ferry

Tiwi artist showing artwork to travellers

Tours and packages

Tours start from $469

Fares

From $60 per adult

Tiwi Islands

Known as "The Island of Smiles"

Start planning your SeaLink Northern Territory holiday

About the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands are a must-do on any Northern Territory itinerary; comprising Bathurst and Melville Islands, with a population of around 2,500 people, the Tiwi Islands are only 80km north of Darwin and very accessible via the 2.5-hour comfortable SeaLink ferry service. The Tiwi Islands people are known for their love for art, footy, and fishing. Most of the residents are Tiwi and you will have the opportunity to meet and learn about Tiwi culture on our Tiwi Islands tours.

The SeaLink ferry service operates to Wurrumiyanga (formerly known as Nguiu) on Bathurst Island. No permit is required to visit Wurrumiyanga if you are on a SeaLink tour, however, if you venture further afield, please contact the Tiwi Land Council for your permit as the Tiwi Islands are private land.

Tiwi Islands Information

During the Ice Age, the Tiwi Islands were connected to the mainland through the Coburg Peninsula in western Arnhem Land. With rapid sea level rises the islands were separated leaving the Tiwi people to develop in isolation giving birth to their distinct culture that they fiercely protect to date. The first European sighting of the Tiwi Islands was by Dutch navigator Pieter Pieterszoon in 1634.

In 1644, another Dutch navigator named Abel Tasman sailed through Dundas Strait between the Tiwi Islands and Coburg Peninsula. Until 1818, the explorers couldn't establish that there were two separate land areas. His exploration led to British interest in establishing a settlement on the north coast of Australia. For more information on the history of the islands, visit Tiwi Land Council.
The islands' art is connected to its visual, oral, and dance culture. The Tiwi people are internationally renowned for their individual style of art including carvings and bright textile designs. Prized by collectors, many Tiwi artists have exhibited around the world. You can visit Tiwi Design, one of the premier art centres as part of SeaLink's Tiwi by Design tour.
Tiwi Islands' many lush rivers and creeks make the islands an excellent fishing destination. The dominant fish species include barramundi, mangrove jacks, threadfin salmon, and more.
Footy is almost like a religion on the Tiwi Islands. From a young age, Tiwi people are passionate for Australian Rules or Aussie Rules football. Incredibly, the Tiwi Islands Football League boasts nine local teams, the highest football participation rate in Australia. The Grand Final is held in August each year and is a major tourist attraction on the islands.
The Tiwi Islands are located about 80 km north of Darwin and are accessible via SeaLink ferry service. The SeaLink ferry is the best and most reliable way to travel to the island.

The SeaLink ferry service operates to Wurrumiyanga (formerly known as Nguiu) on Bathurst Island. No permit is required to visit Wurrumiyanga if you are booked on a tour, however if you venture further afield, please contact the Tiwi Land Council for your permit as the Tiwi Islands are private land.

If you are visiting Melville Island, take the ferry from Darwin to Wurrumiyanga, then take the council barge for the 5-minute crossing across the Apsley Strait to Paru on Melville Island. Bus connections operate from Paru to Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) and Milikapiti (Snake Bay) on Melville Island, subject to road conditions. Book for the Tuparipiya Bus Service on 0428 201 126.

Tiwi Islands FAQs

The ferry service from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands docks at the community of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. On Sundays, the service also goes to the settlement of Paru across the Apsley straight on Melville Island.
Please arrive at the Cullen Bay ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. This allows sufficient time for our staff to issue your boarding pass, and for security staff to check luggage prior to boarding. Check-in will close approximately 5 minutes prior to the departure time to allow us to prepare the vessel and depart on time. Late arrivals after check-in closes may not be able to board the vessel
To visit Melville Island, take the ferry from Darwin to Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. From there, the Tiwi Islands Council barge provides a short five-minute crossing across the Apsley Strait to Paru on Melville Island. On Sundays, the ferry service also operates directly to the settlement of Paru. Bus connections then operate from Paru to Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) and Milikapiti (Snake Bay), subject to road conditions. Bookings for the Tuparipiya Bus Service can be made on 0428 201 126
No. Alcohol is not permitted on the Tiwi Islands, including for visitors. All luggage is subject to security screening, and NT Police regularly conduct bag checks of arriving passengers. Passengers found carrying alcohol will be unable to travel and refunds are not available in these circumstances. In line with Territory regulations, further restrictions or penalties may apply
Yes, dogs travel free of charge on the Tiwi Islands ferry service. As a condition of travel, all dogs must be muzzled or secured in a cage. While muzzles are available for purchase, it is recommended that you bring one your dog is already comfortable wearing. All dogs must be vaccinated, and proof of current vaccination is required for travel. This requirement is set by the Tiwi Land Council to help minimise the spread of disease within the island dog population. Owners must remain outside on the stern deck with their dogs at all times
The natural resources of the Tiwi Islands are its most valuable assets. The introduction of feral animals, weeds, pests, and diseases places the islands' biodiversity at great risk.

Things to remember before coming over to Tiwi Islands:

Please do not take plants and animals to the Tiwi Islands unless authorised by the Tiwi Land Council.
Before you travel: check your clothes, and shoes for seeds and soil, especially if you have travelled to an area where weeds occur.
Feral cats are believed to be a key factor in the rapid decline of the native small mammal population across Australia. Tiwi people want the islands to be free of feral cats.

The Tiwi Islands have very strict biosecurity controls in place to protect their fragile natural environment. The movement of plants and animals is tightly regulated. Dogs are permitted only under specific conditions – please refer to the FAQ on travelling with dogs for details. For comprehensive and up-to-date information, you should review the Tiwi Land Council’s Biosecurity Policy before travelling:
https://www.tiwilandcouncil.com/documents/Uploads/BIOSECURITY-TIWI-ISLANDS.pdf

Biosecurity officers are regularly present at Cullen Bay prior to departure and on arrival in the Tiwi Islands. Travellers are strongly encouraged to check requirements in advance to avoid delays or issues on the day of travel
The ferry service from Cullen Bay in Darwin to Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island takes approximately 2.5 hours each way. Travel times may vary depending on weather and sea conditions.
The Tiwi Islands are privately owned Aboriginal land. If you are travelling on a SeaLink day tour, no permit is required, as access is covered as part of the tour experience. If you are travelling independently and wish to move beyond the Wurrumiyanga community, you must obtain a permit from the Tiwi Land Council before travelling. Permits can be applied for online at:
https://www.tiwilandcouncil.com/219/permits

For the best experience, we recommend booking a SeaLink tour, where a local Tiwi guide will share their community, culture, and stories. Please note that sightseeing opportunities are limited unless you are participating in an organised tour
Public transport in Wurrumiyanga is not available, however many of the main points of interest are within easy walking distance from the ferry pontoon. These include the Tiwi Design Art Centre, the Patakijiyali Museum (entry fee $10), the mission precinct including the old church, the Matthias Ulungura statue, and the WWII radio shed. Please note that access inside the church is available to guests participating in organised tours only. The foreshore and welcome centre are located at the top of the ferry pontoon and are also easily accessible on foot. Visitors should note that there are no cafés or restaurants in Wurrumiyanga, so it is important to bring your own food and water for the day. Food and drinks are available for purchase on-board the ferry. Homes and gardens throughout the community are private residences and not tourist attractions, and visitors are asked to respect the privacy of local residents. When visiting independently, please be mindful that guided tours are reserved for guests who have booked them
No, all of our ferries in the Northern Territory are passenger-only ferries. The journey to Mandorah by car is around 90-minutes each way