Explore

location

The town of Nhulunbuy is the main population centre in the East Arnhem Land region and was established in 1971 when the bauxite mine and alumina refinery were originally constructed. While Nhulunbuy is the name of the town, and Gove the name of the peninsula and airport, you may often hear the two names used interchangeably.

However, the Indigenous people of north-east Arnhem Land, collectively know as Yolηu, have roamed the area for at least 60,000 years, hunting fish and other animals as well as collecting seasonal bush food.

According to traditional beliefs, the landscape of the region and its inhabitants were brought into being during the travels of the creator ancestors long ago. As the ancestors travelled the land, naming and creating as they went, they left people behind and gave them the knowledge they needed to survive and look after what had been named. This knowledge finds its expression in everyday life; and through the performance of ceremonies, the past is recreated. The ritual designs painted on bodies, together with songs and dances, retell the journey and deeds of the totemic ancestors