Transport and Accommodation
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
Updated: May 5
Getting to the Tiwi Islands
Visitor Permits
Visitors to the Tiwi Islands must apply for a permit however, if you are travelling to Wurrumiyanga on a SeaLink NT tour or with another tour operator your permit will be booked by the tour operator.
Sea
Ferry
SeaLink Northern Territory operates a passenger ferry between Darwin and Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. The service operates on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and takes approximately 2.5 hours each way.
Barge
SeaSwift run a barge service for freight to Wurrumiyanga and Pirlangimpi twice weekly, arriving on Monday and Thursday. The weekly service to Milikapiti arrives on Friday.
Private Boat
If you have a permit to visit and fish around the Tiwi Islands a private boat from Darwin will take about two hours to reach Wurrumiyanga, three hours to reach Pirlangimpi and four hours to reach Milikapiti.
Air
Fly Tiwi
Fly Tiwi runs a regular service to Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst Island), Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) and Milikapiti (Snake Bay).
Charter Flights
Darwin aircraft charter companies that service communities on the Tiwi Islands include Hardy Aviation and Arafura Aviation.
Getting around the Tiwi Islands
Hire Car
Wurrumiyanga
Tiwi Enterprises has a range of vehicles for hire at Wurrumiyanga.
Milikapiti
Hire cars are available from the Wulirankuwu Hotel. Contact Tiwi Island Adventures or phone: 0481 132 419
Inter-islands ferry: Wurrumiyanga and Paru
The Tiwi Islands Regional Council inter-islands car ferry between Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island and Paru on Melville Island operates Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm. Tickets are available at the Council office or Phone: 08 8970 9500
Melville Island Bus Service
In the dry season Katherine Coaches operate two bus routes on Melville Island: Pirlangimpi to Paru and Milikapiti to Paru. This service is supported by the Northern Territory Government
Bookings: bookings@katherinecoaches.com.au
Cost: $20 per ticket (children aged 4 and under are free)
Tour Operators
Individual tour operators and fishing lodges can organise flights, car and boat transport around the islands. Please contact your tour provider.
Where to stay on the Tiwi Islands
Wurrumiyanga
Tiwi Enterprises visitor accommodation with ensuite.
Tiwi Islands Regional Council motel accommodation
Port Melville
Tiwi Port and Marine - Website: Tiwi Port & Marine Phone: 0447 830 669 Email: accommodation@tiwipm.com
Milikapiti
Milikapiti Sport and Social Club – double, twin or single rooms a communal kitchen, lounge and bathrooms. Phone: 08 8970 9312
Wulirankuwu Hotel – an 18 room complex with common facilities.
Transport & Tourism map
