Barranyi National Park, Northern Territory

Off shore from Borroloola is Barranyi (North Island) National Park, located in the Sir Edward Pellew group of islands, a cluster of islands comprised of five major islands and 66 minor islands, islets and rock stacks, situated in the south west region of the Gulf. Here turtles come to nest and which is on the migratory path of many birds. You can only access the islands by private boat, and you must consult the Parks and Wildlife Department before embarking on the journey here. The islands have a long history of use by Yanyuwa Aboriginal people. This is evidenced not only by the stories and culture which still survive today, but also by physical evidence such as large shell middens and human burial caves. Until early into the 20th century the Pellew Islands were visited regularly by fishermen from Macassar and Sulawesi for the purpose of harvesting trepang. Numerous Macassan sites exist on the islands; these contain remains of stone fireplaces, artifacts and Tamarind trees that seeded from food refuse. The is native to Africa and was introduced to Asia by Arab traders. In more recent times the islands have been used as fishing camps by commercial fishermen and by a small number of recreational fishermen and holiday makers.