Nhulunbuy

Nhulunbuy combines nature experiences at Town Lagoon with insights into the history of Aboriginal communities and a range of recreational activities. This makes it an interesting place for travellers who don’t want to limit their holiday to a single activity: walks, swimming, golf and water excursions each appeal to different interests. When choosing your holiday rental, you can consider which of these aspects of Nhulunbuy you want to make the focus of your trip.

Town Lagoon: nature and walks

Town Lagoon is an ecologically diverse brackish-water lagoon. A walking track alongside the lagoon is about 3.4 kilometres long; signs along the way provide information about the flora and fauna. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors and are interested in nature will find a practical way to explore Nhulunbuy’s landscape here. The approximate length helps you factor the route into your plans for the day.

During the dry season, guided walks at Town Lagoon are held as needed, up to once a week. Topics include bush medicine and bush tucker, wildlife conservation, and the history of the Makassan seafarers. These topics offer a different focus from the nature signs along the walking track: they connect your time at the lagoon with cultural and historical content. The walks are a separate option to consider when planning your trip; their frequency depends on demand.

Coastal views and history

At the Roy (Malpi) Marika Lookout, information boards explain the history of Aboriginal communities. The lookout also offers views of the coast. This brings together two distinct reasons to visit one place: the scenery and the opportunity to learn about the history of Aboriginal communities. If you’d like to include culture and landscape in your trip, the lookout is a place to visit.

Swimming and golf

The Nhulunbuy Aquatic Centre has a 50-metre outdoor Olympic-size pool for lap swimming and a separate outdoor pool for toddlers. The two pools differ in their intended use and audience. For families travelling with toddlers, this separate facility is a practical recreational option; those who want to swim laps can use the 50-metre pool. This allows you to make swimming a focus alongside walks or cultural visits.

The Gove Country Golf Club is a 9-hole golf course. Its course has varying tee positions, a par-72 layout and a measured length of 6,110 metres. If you’d like to include golf in your stay, you can take these specific details into account when planning your trip. For travellers who aren’t interested in golf, other options include the Aquatic Centre, the walking track and visits to Town Lagoon.

Fishing and getting there

Fishing trips on the Gove Peninsula can be arranged through local charter operators. Recreational anglers do not need a fishing permit in the waters of the Gove Peninsula, which include Nhulunbuy. This is another option for travellers interested in activities on the water. Nhulunbuy can be reached via the mostly unsealed Central Arnhem Road; permits are required to travel through Arnhem Land. Take the condition of this road into account when planning your journey and deciding how to spend your time there.

More destination pages

Explore these destinations too: Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Mataranka, Mt Zeil, Desert Springs, Adelaide River, Ludmilla and Kakadu.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Territory.