Great Eylandt (written like this in an old Dutch spelling) is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory by Australia. The island measures 50 kilometers from east to west, and 60 kilometers from north to south. The island covers an area of 2260 km² and has 1,539 inhabitants. It is located about 50 km off the coast east of Arnhem country, about 630 km from the city Darwin.
The entire island has been in common ownership since 1976 under a so-called Aboriginal freehold title. There is a large manganese mine that pays royalties to the Aborigines.
Towns
There are no large cities on Groote Eylandt, there are only a few small Aboriginal villages.
Other destinations
Info
Groote Eylandt was first visited by Europeans in 1623, most notably by the Dutchman Willem van Coolsterett with his ship the Arnhem. However, it was Abel Tasman who gave the island its Dutch name in 1644.
Language
Arrive
Cruise ships sail from Darwin to Groote Eylandt at irregular times, this is about the only way to visit this very sparsely populated island.
Travel around
To look at
To do
Food
Going out
Safety
all around
