Elcho Island, also known as Galiwin’ku by its traditional owners, is an island off the shores of Northern Territory. It is located 150 km west of Nhulunbuy and at the southern end of the Wessel Islands group. This is the second largest and the most remote Aboriginal community in the Northern territory. Hosting a population of 2500 people, most are Aboriginal residents of the community, speaking up to 22 different dialects. Elcho Island was also the home of the late folk musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and actor Baykali Ganambarr. The Galiwin’ku community was established in 1942 as a refuge from possible bombing of the Milingimbi Royal Australian Air Force Base in 1942, and the Methodist Church arrived in 1947. The Market Garden was established, pushing the cypress pine logging and sawmill industry. The original mission was to encourage Aboriginal people to stay on their traditional lands, and ended when self-government came in the 1970s. Numerous clan groups now live in Galiwin’ku, most prominently the Yolngu people. Traditional owners share residency and divide the estates. The East Arnhem Regional Council provides the government in Galiwin’ku. Some points of interest include the Elcho Island Arts, an art center for the display and sale of traditionally made art. The island is also known for its Elcho Island Dancers, the Djuki Mala Dancers who performed a routine to Zorba the Greek. Ancient coins have also been discovered on the island. Ready to land in the Elcho Island Airport yet?

How to get to the Elcho Island

No road Access. Only by Air:

Facilities: All-weather airstrip with automatic radio-controlled lighting. The community owns and operates a charter business – Marthakai Yolngu Airlines

Darwin (1½ hours + 30 minutes stop in Maningrida): Airnorth flies a return service to Elcho Island, via Maningrida, every day except Sunday

Nhulunbuy (45 minutes): Charters only

Park maps with marked points of interest and destinations

When to visit ELCHO ISLAND?

Elcho Island is open all year round. Permits may be required for any person visiting the community including activities such as fishing, camping and visiting certain beaches.

Fun facts about Elcho Island:

• According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 2,206 people in Elcho Island (counted as Galiwinku (State Suburb) in the Census Report). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 94.0% of the population. 97.7% of people were born in Australia.
• Elcho Island is a Dry and Petrol Free Community
  Indiginous people represent 88% of the Galwin’k population, the median age is 24 years, and 78% of the population speak Djambarrpuynu
• Miwatj Health provides comprehensive primary care in the region
• Shepherdson College is a bilingual school with 700 students, hosting programs from birth to year 12.

History of Elcho Island

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Elcho Islanders and other Yolngu living along the coastal edges of Arnhemland had regular contract with sea traders passing through the great trading route between China and Europe. In the 17th Century Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish are known to have charted the Arnhemland coast. Galiwin’ku was established with the arrival of Harold Shepherdson, a lay associate of the Methodist Overseas Mission, from Milingimbi in 1942. It is the service centre for several traditional tribal homelands, which were encouraged during the early settlement in order to retain the traditional way of life.

Governance

The Galiwin’ku Community Inc. is the local government authority responsible for provision of most community services. The Council is comprised of representatives of each clan group that live at Galiwin’ku. The Council pursues policies that reflect pride in Yolngu traditions, culture and the community, together with self-determination, empowerment and local management. The Council’s mission is to deliver services that will provide protection to people and create a healthy environment where residents can enjoy a quality of life and opportunities for self-advancement. The Council also adopts the advocacy role for the community in the wider Australian context.

What you can do at Elcho Island

Visit Elcho Island Arts

• Yolnu-owned art center
• Supports Yolnu artists to share their culture and obtain income for their art
• Made with traditional methods, and traditional materials
• Works such as the Morning Star poles are exhibited
• Contact gallery before visiting as it may close due to fieldwork or cultural commitments

Market Garden

• Restarted in 2010, now has a nursery for growing tomatoes, pumpkins, and carrots
• Sells fresh fruits and vegetables cheaply to the community

Camping Information & Island facilities

• Galiwin’ku Visiting Contractors Accommodation
  
  • Single rooms offered, five minute drive from most services in Galiwin’ku
  • Communal laundry offered, along with ironing
  • Kitchen, bathroom, dining area, lounge areas, TV offered
  • Open to anyone, targeted at contractors and business
• Marthakal Motel
  
  • Air Conditioning, TV, tea/coffee making facilities
  • Includes continental breakfast with option to purchase lunch and dinner
• Police Station
• Miwatj Health Clinic
• Marthakal Homelands Resource Centre
• Council Office
• Fuel
• CDP
• Airstrip
• Animal Management
• Bottom Shop
• Church
• Aged-care
• Basketball Courts
• Library
• Bible translation centre
• Red Cross Baby Hub
• General Store
• Women’s Centre
• T.C.U
• Postal Services
• Take Away Shop
• ATM
• Primary School/ High School/ Day Childcare Centre

What to pack for this park’s visit?

• LIght warm clothes for cool nights in the middle of the year
• Loose cotton clothing for wet season’s humidity
• small quantity of fresh food
• Hat
• sturdy shoes
• insect repellent
• sunscreen
• toiletries
• sleeping bag sheet insert

Day trip information (How long will hikes take? Where to park?)

Parking is available in front of Galiwin’ku Visiting Contractors Accommodation

Community Security

There is a Police Station on Elcho Island. The Galiwin’ku Night Patrol self-polices the community by vehicle to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour and/or offer a safe transportation service to a place of safety for those at risk. The Night Patrol staff assists the people of Galiwin’ku; checking around the community for trouble; talk to troublemakers and their families and sorting out trouble in a community Aboriginal way. If the trouble continues, they talk with Council about calling police for assistance. Night Patrol staff receives training in development of Common Night Patrol protocols and practices. The workshops are organised and run by the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Night Patrols allow the Council to concentrate on the major issues, rather than become involved in community disputes.

Mangrove

This is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. They are ancient species with fossils dating to 75 million years ago. There is often interest in restoring mangroves as they protect areas with extreme weather events.

Acacia

Also known as wattles, they are a large genus of shrubs and trees in the pea family. It is said that they evolved their fire resistance about 20 million years ago, and are present in a variety of different terrestrial habitats. The Aboriginal have traditionally harvested seeds of some species and grinded into flour for food.

Corella

Corellas are white cockatoos with 6 total species. They all have pale bills with yellow-tinged underwings and some red to the face. There is a famous Corella named Ngarritj on the island, who can speak different Aboriginal languages and knows his way around Elcho Island.

A permit is required from the Northern Land Council to visit the community

There are no gasoline available on the island, one must use low-aromatic petrol “Opal” as a fuel substitute

Alcohol is not allowed, even for visitors