Bathurst Island

Bathurst Island NT, also known as the Island of Smiles, is one of the two main islands that make up Tiwi Islands.

This unique haven is situated 80km north of Darwin, on the coast of the Northern Territory. Most of the residents on the island are of Aboriginal descent, providing an opportunity for travellers to encounter the ancient and fascinating culture of these tribes.

The Tiwi Islands football grand final and art sale takes place every year on the weekend before the first Monday in March. The event is hugely popular and the only day of the year when permits are not required for travel to the islands. The sale venue is the Tiwi Design Art Center on Bathurst Island. Additional arts and crafts are on sale from Jilamara Arts and Crafts and Munupi Arts and Crafts on Melville Island. Sales begin at 9 am on Sunday and conclude around 1 pm when the football starts.

The Tiwi people are famous for their art, which hangs in galleries around the world. Everywhere you look, you will see art decorating schools, carved burial poles, adorning the altar of the white wooden church, and in the islands' renowned art centres. Visit an art centre to meet the artists, watch them paint, weave, sculpt and carve, and learn the story behind their distinctive pieces. You can purchase artworks directly from the artist at reasonable prices.

Stay at a beachfront lodge or join a guided fishing trip from Darwin to experience the Tiwi Islands' world-class fishing. Bluewater, reef, and estuary options are all on offer in this pristine environment. Join a tour led by a local Aboriginal guide to explore the islands' different landscapes that range from tropical rainforest to clay-like cliffs, white-sand