Local Attractions

Patakijiyali Museum

The Museum, located in the Catholic Church Precinct in Wurrumiyanga, was established in the early 2000’s by Sister Ann Gardiner of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It holds and displays records of important information about the Tiwi dreamtime and spirituality, the Catholic Mission, the role of the Tiwi people during World War II, and the islands’ proud sporting heritage, particularly in Australian Rules football. An interactive space has been developed to help Tiwi students to learn about their culture. 

To arrange a visit email bookings@tiwienterprises.com 
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The Frangipani Café

Which is located next to Museum, is open on Saturday mornings. Run by volunteers, it’s a great place to catch up for coffee and cake.

Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church

The Catholic Church precinct at Wurrumiyanga, was established as the Bathurst Island Mission by Bishop Francis Xavier Gsell MSC who first arrived on the Tiwi Islands in 1911. The Church Precinct comprises St Therese’s Church, the nearby Presbytery, and a small radio shack. (see below) The buildings are all timber frame construction with timber weatherboard external cladding reminiscent of Queensland domestic architecture. The buildings date from 1941 and were constructed by Peter De Hayr and Tiwi workmen.

The Radio Shack

On February 19, 1942 at 9.35 am a Father McGrath of the Sacred Heart mission on Bathurst Island, who was also an Australian Coastwatcher, sent a message using a pedal radio to the Amalgamated Wireless Postal Radio Station at Darwin that a large number of aircraft were flying overhead and proceeding southward. 
The message was ignored and the resultant air raid by the Japanese caused the loss of life of approximately 250 people.

  • The message was then relayed to the Royal Australian Air Force Operations at 9.37 am. No general alarm was given until about 10 am, as the RAAF officers there wrongly judged that the aircraft which had been sighted were the ten USAAF P-40s, which were returning to Darwin at the time after reports of bad weather forced them to abort a flight to Java via Kupang, West Timor. As a result, the air raid sirens at Darwin were not sounded before the raid, and the resultant surprise attack caused the loss of life of approximately 250 people. 

Mathias Ulungura Memorial

Located near the Historic Radio Shack in the Catholic Church precinct at Wurrumiyanga, commemorates the capture of the first Japanese prisioner of war on Australian soild in 1942.
In Ulungura's words:
"I walked after him and grabbed his wrist near gun. He got proper big fright. I take revolver from his right side near his knee. Then I walk backwards pointing gun, I say "Stick 'em up, two hands, no more holding hands on head."
Mathias Ulungura
Sculpted by Paul Smits with the co-operation of Mr Ulungura's extended family.

Tiwi Design

started from a small room underneath the Catholic Presbytery on Bathurst Island in 1968. Two young men, Bede Tungatalum and Giovanni Tipungwuti worked with Madeline Clear, the art teacher from the school, to produce wood block prints. This art form was introduced because of the natural link with traditional Tiwi wood carving techniques.

  • By 1969 the artists started to transfer their designs onto silk screens. Printing textiles quickly became a major activity for the Tiwi Design artists. Artwork can be found in art galleries and museums across all corners of the globe. They produce a range of paintings, carvings, screen printed fabrics, sculptures and limited-edition prints

Visit their website

Tiwi Tours

Tiwi Tours provide travellers with the unique opportunity to explore a modern-day Aboriginal community, where you can learn about art, bush tucker and the history and culture of the Tiwi people. Tiwi Tours has won a 2007 and 2008 Brolga Award for Indigenous Tourism.
Find out more

Nguiu Club

Established in 1985, the Nguiu Club has for many years been an important part of the island’s social activities. A recent refurbishment has given it a fresh new look. Providing Bistro Meals and a licenced Bar, it is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays, 4.30pm to 7.30 pm. Check out their facebook page for more information.
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Grand Final Day

The Tiwi Islands has produced many famous footballers and football is a passion shared by the Tiwi People. Grand Final Day sees people from all over Australia visit to watch the Final Match. Sunday the 15th of March 2020 will see many visitors to the football oval at Wurrumiyanga. Accommodation is much sort after for this weekend, so get in early to make your bookings. 

Flora & Fauna

The Tiwi Islands has some unique plants and animals, that has helped sustain the Tiwi People for thousands of years.

  • A booklet titled Tiwi Plants and Animals published in 2001, contains a wealth of information in relation to Tiwi Flora and Fauna and their traditional uses.


    Please refer to the Tiwi Land Council website  for information relating to fishing permits, hunting permits, visitor permits and quarantine information.


    Warning: When visiting the Tiwi Islands please remember that included in the varied wildlife that occupies these islands, the Saltwater Crocodile inhabits the sea and waterways. Marine stingers can also be present in the sea in the wet season months, so care needs to be exercised around water to ensure your safety.

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