Nhullunbuy

i worked there for 12 months , there are a lot of restrictions on land access. but if you go through the correct procedure ( permits etc ) its a good place' i think it has been spoilt by the presence of a bauxite mine and hydrate processing, the fishing could be better than the brochures too.
but if there was no minethere i would never have got to go, so i can't have my cake and eat it .
go there its good, look out for buffalo on the road. and sleeping locals .........

Hi Bricky,

I live in Nhulunbuy.
Check thread ID 47262 for most of the info you need

Chris

Thanks for the info.
Also is the road ok to tow a small tinnie? We have towed it to Weipa 3 times so are used to reasonably rough roads.
Daryl

Daz, main road into Nhulunbuy (Central Arhnem Hiway) will be fine for towing a tinnie (dependant on the Wet Season) probaly easier than getting to Wiepa.

Bit hard to say wether the wet will still be happening at that time. If it is the track will be closed but if it's open travel may be described as a little on the cautious side.

Camping for an extended stay isn't permited but is tolerated to a certain degree once you get your permit from Dhimurru, but I'd keep that to myself.

The Dhimurru permit will allow you acess to a dozen or so different camping areas close in to Gove but the greater number of these are fresh water and can't really be described as fishing unless you choose to visit one of the beaches and fish from the rocks.

A special permit (ie $'s) also from Dhimurru, will let you visit Cape Arhnem (2 hours drive) where you can launch the tinny from the beach for open water fishing (pay per night but get in early as we locals have to book at least 6 weeks ahead because of the vehicle number restriction). Aslo keep in mind that trailers can't be taken to the Cape.

Another special permit gets you to the Wonga Creek (2 and a bit hours drive) but fishing is limited to the bank as boats are banned.

Another permit from Dhanbul Society at Yirrkala will allow you access to thier boat ramp, again for open water fishing.

Outside of that there's Spring Camp (bay and open water), Buckingham Bay (bay and estuary) Koolantong River (fresh water) and the Kato River (estuary and bay). The Koolatong permit now only allows you to travel 8 kilometers downstream which at that distance will still be fresh.

The Northern Land Council handles these permits and again expect to pay per night and per boat (usualy $100 a boat!)

Local fishing at the moment is easy. The boat ramp at either the Yacht Club or Perkins Wharf (12 minutes drive) gets you a choice of 5 or so creeks running into Melville Bay to fish in and also opens up into open water for reef and trolling.

When I say "at the moment" keep in mind that the Federal High Court has just granted the Traditional Owners at Blue Mud Bay (South of Gove) sea rights so you may find by the time you get here you'll be digging that little deeper onto your wallet to simply enjoy an Australian traditional pastime of wetting a line.

As each years passes the Balanda people (White) of the area are becoming more and more disenfranchised which really shows itself by the restriction in travel and the ammount of cash required to do so if it's at all possible.

Hope I haven't dampend your travel plans mate, it's a great place to be out bush or on the water once you get here and out of the town itself.

I'd be seriously looking at making all your bookings asap most of which can be done via phone.

If you need any more information by all means PM me.

Cheers
Richard

Sorry, should have added this link to Chris and Laura's Web sitehere as it's got some good photos from around Nhulunbuy.

Richard