Do you need a permit to go to Tiwi Islands?

All visitors to the Tiwi Islands require a permit . If you aren't visiting with a tour, you will need to apply for a permit.

Can you live on Tiwi Island?

Failure to present a permit when requested by an authorised officer is an offence under the Aboriginal Land Act. The Tiwi Islands are private property. Your permit only allows you to reside on the islands ; it does not entitle you to invite other people, such as friends or relatives, to visit without a permit.

What communities are on the Tiwi Islands?

There are three major communities on the Tiwi Islands; the largest, Wurrumiyanga, is on Bathurst Island while the smaller communities of Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi are located on Melville Island . They are serviced by regular transport services operating from Darwin.

How much does it cost to go to Tiwi Island?

Tiwi Island Passenger Ferry Fares Ticket type One way Return Adult $60.00 $120.00 Concession* $45.00 $90.00 Child** $32.50 $65.00 Family Return Ticket (2 adults, 3 children) N/A $320.00 1 more row

Can anyone visit the Tiwi Islands?

The Tiwi Islands are Aboriginal land, and all visitors are required to have a permit .

Who owns Tiwi Island?

Control of the islands was transferred to the Indigenous traditional owners through the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust, and the Tiwi Land Council that was founded in 1978.

Can you swim off Tiwi Islands?

Tiwi Islands You can swim in safety while still enjoying the beach view . Just a short flight or a 2-hour ferry ride from Darwin, the Tiwi Islands is great for a short getaway. There are plenty of fishing and scenic flight options on the Tiwis too, as well as Aboriginal art and cultural activities.

Can you stay overnight on Tiwi Islands?

Each Ocean Room welcomes guests with chic interiors and luxurious finishes, that transport you to the very best in island relaxation. Tiwi Island Retreat is a 30 minute flight from Darwin with a minimum 2 night stay . It is also available for private group bookings and as a wedding venue.

Are Tiwi people African?

The Tiwi people are Aboriginal Australians . They are indigenous to the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory. The two main inhabited islands are named Melville and Bathurst; however, both islands were once known as Ratuwati Yinjara.

Is there Internet on Tiwi Islands?

Telstra is the only telecommunication provider on the island. The Lodge does not have Wi-Fi facilities . To gain access to the internet, guests will need to bring a small pocket-sized wireless modem/dongle that is connected to the Telstra network.

Is there alcohol on Tiwi Islands?

Tiwi art, including paintings, prints, sculptures and textiles, is renowned throughout the world and exhibited in many major galleries. The Tiwi Islands are alcohol restricted areas . Please do not bring alcohol – it will be confiscated. Please arrive at the ferry terminal 30 minutes prior to departure.

Are there travel restrictions to the Tiwi Islands?

Travel to the Tiwi Islands is also prohibited for anyone located within an identified Covid-19 hotspot as designated by the CHO until such a time as that declaration is removed .

Do I need a permit for Litchfield National Park?

Do I need any passes or permits to visit Litchfield? Entry into Litchfield National Park requires an NT Parks Pass . This is a separate pass to the Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta park passes.

Do you need a permit to enter Kings Canyon?

Permits cost $5 and can be purchased at Kings Canyon Resort, Hermannsburg store, or the Visitor Centre in Alice Springs.

Tiwi Land Council | Apply for a Permit (2024)

Applicants who have been in areas of elevated Covid-19 risk should wait 14 days before entering Aboriginal land.

The Tiwi Islands are privately owned, they are not Crown land nor public land. The permit system is simply a system of regulated access to Aboriginal land. The system complements Aboriginal responsibility for country and is consistent with the land title held under Australian law. The permit system protects the privacy of Tiwi landowners, promotes awareness and respect for Tiwi land and culture, safeguards the natural environment, protects sacred sites, provides a policing tool for unscrupulous behaviour, and promotes visitor safety.

If you want to visit, work, conduct research, camp, fish, hunt, or live on the Tiwi Islands, permission must be obtained in accordance with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. All permits require a host or resident organisation and are issued on a purely discretionary basis. They may be revoked at any time in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Aboriginal Land Act. Weather conditions, ceremonial events, funerals or other unforeseen circ*mstances can result in a permit being cancelled at short notice. On rare occasions permits may not be required. Please visithere for more information.

Permit Processing

The Tiwi Land Council requires a minimum of 30 working days to process permit applications. For companies, organisations and research institutions already registered with the Tiwi Land Council, permits will be processed within 7 days.

Protocols

Protocols are appropriate ways of behaving, communicating and showing respect for Tiwi people, knowledge, history and culture. Tiwi Land Council Permit Protocols are available here.

Types of Permit

Visitor Permit

Two types of Visitor Permit are available for people wishing to visit the Tiwi Islands.

1. Staying in communities

A permit for visitors to stay withincommunity boundariesand drive on the main road between communities. This permit is free and is valid for up to 3 months.

2. Travelling outside of communities

A permit for visitors to travel outside ofcommunity boundariesfor recreation. This permit costs $100 (GST Free) and is valid for 3 months.

Media Permit

The Tiwi Land Council is responsible for overseeing media access to the Tiwi Islands on behalf of Traditional Owners. Media Permits are issued once a Media Access Agreement has been signed.

It should be noted that when on the islands you will be required to have two Tiwi Cultural Advisors, appointed by the Tiwi Land Council, present during any filming, recording, photography or obtaining information. Their rate is $300 per day or part thereof per Tiwi Cultural Advisor.

Apply for a Media Permit

Work Permits

(including volunteers)

1. Companies and organisations based on the Tiwi Islands

Companies and organisations based on the Tiwi Islands for more than three months can apply for a Business Login, which enables them to issue Work Permits to their employees.

2. Companies and organisations with a Business Login

If your company or organisation is registered with the Tiwi Land Council and has been allocated a Business Login, you can issue Work Permits to your employees. Please note, permits can only be issued for work purposes. Work Permits do not cover recreation, fishing or hunting on the Tiwi Islands.

Issue Work Permits for Employees

3. Companies and organisations based elsewhere

Companies and organisations not based on the Tiwi Islandsand who do not have an existing agreement need to apply for Work Permits for their staff to work on the Tiwi Islands.

Apply for a Work Permit

Research Project

Permits to conduct research on the Tiwi Islands are only issued once a Research Proposal has been approved by the Tiwi Land Council, and a Research Access Agreement has been signed.
Research proposals require a minimum of 60 working days for consideration by the Tiwi Land Council prior to entering into a Research Access Agreement.
For access by holders of a signed Research Access Agreement, researchers must contact the TLC office directly with at least 7 days notice and quote your project code.

Submit a Research Proposal

Non-Tiwi Resident Permit

Non-Tiwi Resident Permits are issued to the partners, family members or close associates of Tiwi people. These permits allow non-Tiwi residents to reside on the Tiwi Islands for more than three months.

Apply for a Non-Tiwi Resident Permit

Recreational Fisher Camping Permit

Three camping areas, only accessible by boat, are available on the Tiwi Islands for up to seven days. They include Camp Point and Robertson Creek on Melville Islands and Shaggy’s (Tinkanrow) Campsites on Bathurst Island.

Apply for a Camping Permit

Hunting Permit

Holders of a Non-Tiwi Resident Permit, over 18 years of age, can apply for an annual Hunting Permit. Hunting Permits expire 12 months from the date of issue. Visitors to the islands can apply for a 14-day Hunting Permit if their host is permitted to hunt on the Tiwi Islands. A current Shooters Licence is required for applications to be processed.

Apply for a Hunting Permit

Fishing Permit

No Permit Required – Yellow Access Zone

Intertidal waters marked yellow on the Fishing the Tiwi Islands mapand in the Fishing the Tiwi Islands brochure do not require a Fishing Permit. Please note that the Tiwi Islands are private property. Fishers can apply for a Recreational Fisher Camping Permit to stay at one of three designated campsites – Camp Point and Robertson Creek on Melville Island, and Shaggy’s Camp (Tinkanrow) on Bathurst Island.

Permit Required –Red Fishing Exclusion Zone

Permits to fish in the Exclusion Zone, marked red on the Fishing the Tiwi Islands map and in the Fishing the Tiwi Islands brochure, are only issued to permanent non-Tiwi residents and their approved guests upon application. Annual Exclusion Zone Fishing Permits expire 12 months after the date of issue.

Apply for an Exclusion Zone Fishing Permit

No Permit Required

1. SeaLink ferry Wurrumiyangaday visitors and hosted tours

Day visitors travellingonon the SeaLink NT ferry to Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island or visiting the islands on a hosted tour, such as Tiwi Tours, do not need to apply for a permit. Day passes will be issued to visitors.

2. Leaseholders on the TiwiIslands

If you lease a parcel of land in any community on the Tiwi Islands you do not need a permit to access your lease to carry out your business.

3. Permit-Free Days

From time to time Tiwi Island communities designate Permit-Free days, such as the annual Football Grand Final and art sale held in March at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. Permit-Free days are advertised in advance. An exception to Permit-Free:those who seek a Film/Media or Research permit will need to apply for one in all instances.