Nhulunbuy (also known as Gove) is a township created on the Gove Peninsula when a bauxite mine and deep water port were established nearby in the late 1960s. The mine is now owned by Rio Tinto which acquired Alcan in 2007. Established to service the bauxite-mining industry, Nhulunbuy has developed as the administrative centre for the East Arnhem region. Nhulunbuy is only 20 km from the Indigenous community of Yirrkala, famous for its aboriginal art.

Gove enjoys a tropical climate, averaging 28 degrees celsius May-September and 30-33 degrees October to May. It is accessible by air daily from Darwin and Cairns and by road only during the dry season (usually mid June to mid December.

Nhulunbuy, with a population of around 4,000, boasts all modern amenities, several restaurants, a Surf Club, a Golf Club, the Yacht Club, the Arnhem Club, a hotel and motel and two shopping complexes.

Gove Peninsula Motel: In the centre of this bustling mining township on the Gove Peninsula, in north-east Arnhem Land, the Gove Peninsula Motel is a short walk to shopping and the beach. Facilities include ensuite, kitchenette with microwave, dial-up internet, pool, laundry and barbecue. The nearby Arnhem Club is a good place to drink and dine, while the Gove Yacht Club is a ten-minute drive. The Aboriginal settlement of Yirrkala, a 15-minute drive away, hosts the Buk-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, one of the finest Aboriginal art and craft centres in Australia. Ph (08) 8987 0700.

Walkabout Lodge: A popular destination, the Walkabout has a good restaurant and coffee shop, a lively bar and lush, tropical gardens. Located between the beach and CBD, the hotel is only metres from shops and clubs. The walk along the beach is beautiful but consult locals before going for a swim – crocodiles and box jellyfish are a reality in this part of the world; otherwise there is a nice pool at the hotel. The lodge is at the centre of a tourism industry based on fishing, four-wheel-drive adventure tours and Aboriginal culture. Tours can be booked through reception. Ph (08) 8987 1777.

Gove Harbour is a popular stop off point for yachts sailing the northern coast of Australia or heading to the countries to the north of Australia and beyond. Apart from the months of December to April when cyclones can affect the coast line, the waters surrounding the Gove Peninsula provide excellent sailing conditions. The Gove Boat Club, which is located in Melville Bay approximately 12km from the town of Nhulunbuy, is often packed full of visiting yachties from all over the world and the club often holds regattas and other annual events.

Diving the colourful and rich coral reefs in the clear waters offshore from Gove is becoming more and more popular. There is drift, deep and multi-level diving available and many reefs and offshore islands to explore. There are two reputable dive companies in Nhulunbuy who offer dive tours and short courses.

Access

The Gove Airport is located 13 km from the town centre of Nhulunbuy. Qantas and AirNorth have a daily flight to Gove from Cairns and Darwin which then connect to cities around the world. The Cairns – Gove flight is 1 hour and 40 minutes duration and Darwin – Gove is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

By road: the most direct route to Nhulunbuy from a major Highway is via the Central Arnhem Road which leaves the Stuart Highway 52 km south of Katherine. The first 30 kilometres are sealed and then the rest is a gravel road. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, particularly for the two major river crossings, the Wilton River near Bulman Aboriginals Community and the Goyder River, about 300 kilometres from Nhulunbuy.