20 February 2024
5 mins Read
The Tiwi Islands, a starkly beautiful Australian archipelago 80 kilometres north of Darwin, are made up of nine (mostly uninhabited) islands. The two largest – Bathurst and Melville – are home to a population which is nearly 90 per cent Indigenous. Here, English is most people’s second language.
Both remote and widely renowned, the Tiwi Islands boast unique scenery, tropical coral reefs, excellent fishing, and some of Australia’s most spectacular sunsets. Yet, despite these obvious attractions, the Tiwi islands are most known for their rich local culture and distinct, much sought-after art and vibrant art centres.
While you can simply take a SeaLink ferry to Bathurst Island, if you want to really experience the Tiwi Islander culture and warm hospitality, you can now take advantage of a new exclusive opportunity offered by SeaLink, in combination with the luxury Tiwi Island Retreat.
Bringing together ancient culture, modern art, diverse history, and the raw, stunning landscapes of this beautiful area, this package is by far the best way to enjoy all that the Tiwi Islands have to offer.
Created to offer travellers a complete holiday and cultural experience, the Luxury Tiwi Islands Escape Tour is the perfect way to explore the islands, meet the locals and spend a couple of days soaking up the beautiful views of the Timor Sea, poolside with a drink in your hand.
Located at Tiwi Island Retreat, this two-day all-inclusive package has been thoughtfully curated to showcase the very best of the islands – from the inspiring welcoming ceremony to meeting with local artists and eating locally sourced seafood served up directly from the ocean to your plate. Enjoy it on the beach as the sun sets.
Included are return ferry transfers from Darwin, as well as transport on the islands and return boat transfers to the exclusive beachside Tiwi Island Retreat, as well as a range of meals, and an intimate introduction to Tiwi Island art, culture, and local practices, including a guided screen-printing class.
During your tour, a local Tiwi guide is on hand to give you an insider’s view of the island’s culture and landscape.
To begin your visit, board the ferry at Darwin’s Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal in anticipation of your 2.5-hour journey north across the sparkling Timor Sea. Once you arrive at Bathurst Island, you’ll travel via 4WD and private boat to arrive just in time for a swim at the remote Tiwi Island Retreat.
Perched on the stunning South Coast, this beachside resort is located in the heart of some of Bathurst Island’s most pristine and unique landscapes. With a high-end, coastal oasis feel, the retreat offers a relaxing space to enjoy the surrounding wildlife, with turtles and birdlife literally on the doorstep. All meals are included in your stay, freshly prepared using locally sourced produce.
Once you’ve checked into one of the 21 rooms (13 of which have been recently refurbished) with views of the lapping waves, you could choose to spend your afternoon enjoying estuary fishing, mud crabbing, relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand, or spotting dolphins and stingrays from the beach. As it’s not recommended to swim in the ocean surrounding the islands due to the crocodile population, Tiwi Island Retreat has focused on an architecturally designed pool area with uninterrupted views of the beach and stunning sunsets.
When the sun is heavy in the sky, make your way down the beach, where a bonfire will blaze the day away while you taste canapes, made fresh with the catch of the day, and cold drinks.
After you’ve enjoyed a night under the palms and your specially prepared breakfast, say goodbye to the Tiwi Island Retreat and embark on your Tiwi by Design Tour.
Highly personalised and art-centric, this tour offers visitors an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience of life in the Tiwi Islands. You’ll begin the day by experiencing a traditional welcome and smoking ceremony, followed by a tea and damper morning snack while meeting some members of the local art community. Tiwi Islanders absolutely love Australian Rules Football, so ask a local who their favourite player is, and you’ll have a friend for life.
Then you’ll set off on foot with your Tiwi guide to explore the decoratively painted buildings as well as the historic wooden church featured in the film Top End Wedding. Following this, a visit to the Patakijiyali Museum will offer a fascinating look at the history of the islands – including their unexpected role in the Second World War.
After lunch, you’ll get the chance to visit a famous art centre and get creative in a Tiwi design screen printing workshop, where you’ll walk away with a T-shirt, tea towel or length of fabric to display in your home. Spend the afternoon speaking to the local artists as they work on their paintings or carvings, observe the local Tiwi women weaving or even purchase a piece of Tiwi art as a reminder of your stay.
LEAVE YOUR COMMENT