Travel
Qantas and Airnorth fly to Nhulunbuy, from Darwin and Cairns. Driving from Darwin is approximately 14 hours, and a permit from the Northern Land Council (08) 8920 5100 is required. The road is impassable in the wet season (from Dec-May). The journey includes 600 kilometres of gravel road and very few refuelling options. A high clearance four-wheel drive and additional fuel is recommended.
Getting Around
We recommend you book a car in Nhulunbuy for transport during your stay, as public transport options between Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy are very limited.
Car hire recommendations:
Manny’s Car Rentals (08) 89872300
Gove Rentals (08) 8987 1700
Kansas Transportation (08) 8987 2872
Nhulunbuy Ute Hire (08) 89872872.
Fuel is only available at Nhulunbuy BP Service Station, open seven days (check website for current opening hours). Diesel is available 24/7 through credit card payment.
Gove Taxi Service operates on the Gove Peninsula, and is contactable on 131 008 or (08) 8987 1144.
Permits
Permits are required to be in this region. To apply for a permit online visit Northern Land Council or call (08) 9820 5100. Additional permits are required for camping and visiting recreational areas. Apply through Dhimurru or call (08) 8987 3992.
Experiences
Bremer Island Day Tours (www.banubanu.com/bremer-island-day-tours, 08 8987 8085) – Day tours to Bremer Island (Banubanu Beach Retreat). Accommodation also available.
Fishing charters R&G Charters (www.facebook.com/randgcharters, 0407 700 213) – Half and full day fishing charters
East Arnhem Fishing Adventures (www.eastarnhemfishing.com.au, 0408 082 203) – Half and full day fishing charters
Nomad Fishing Tours (www.banubanu.com/nomad-fishing-tours, 08 8987 8085) – Half and full day fishing charters
Gove Boat Hire (www.goveboathire.com, 0499 159 109) – Boat hire Scenic flights Air Arnhem (0415 210 410) –
Scenic flights around the Gove Peninsula Black Diamond Aviation (0413 443 544) – Scenic flights around the Gove Peninsula
Suggested itineraries – www.eastarnhemland.com.au/plan/itineraries-and-maps
Gove Peninsula in Seven Days
Gove Peninsula in Three Days
Gove Peninsula in One Day
Central Arnhem Road
For more information about what to do and where to go, visit https://www.eastarnhemland.com.au or email info@eastarnhemland.com.au.
Staying at Yirrkala Guest House
Alcohol
Alcohol is not permitted in Yirrkala Guest House, and while visiting Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala local alcohol rules apply. The region has a liquor permit system. Visitors are able to drink at a licensed premise, such as hotels or restaurants in Nhulunbuy, however people must have a local liquor permit to purchase take away alcohol. East Arnhem Land is a ‘dry area’. Drinking in public places is prohibited with the exception of some popular recreational areas that are sign posted
Phone and Wifi
Yirrkala community has Telstra phone reception only. We recommend purchasing a prepaid Telstra sim card for your visit, if you do not already have a personal Telstra phone. Our accommodation has access to community internet wifi.
Dining and Shopping
The Yirrkala store, providing basic supplies, is located next to the accommodation. Nhulunbuy (around 20 mins drive) has a greater variety of shopping and restaurant options, including a Woolworths.
Dining:
• Walkabout Lodge/Latitude 12
• Gove Boat Club
• Kamayan Café
• The Refinery Cafe
• Peninsula Bakery and Cafe
• Gove Country Golf Club
Shopping:
• Woolworths
• Gove Amcal Pharmacy
• BP Service Station
• Gove Newsagency
There are two hotels in Nhulunbuy:
Walkabout Lodge and the Gove Peninsula Motel.
Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre and museum adjacent to the accommodation is open six days a week, Monday- Friday 8am-4:30pm and Saturday 9am-12pm. Our staff are available to provide any local advice you should need, feel free to visit or call (08) 8987 1701.