COMMUNITY PROFILE
Nhulunbuy
Gove Peninsula, Nhulunbuy, Arnhem Land.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY
Nhulunbuy, also referred to as Gove, is a
township on the Gove Peninsula in the Northern
Territory of Australia. A bauxite mine and deepwater port were established nearby in the
late 1960s, followed by an alumina refinery.
The bauxite mine and alumina refinery are
operated by Rio Tinto. In November 2013, Rio
Tinto announced it would suspend alumina
production at Gove in 2014 and focus on its
bauxite operations. The Yolngu people have
freehold title over this land, currently with the
exception of the mining lease that the town of
Nhulunbuy is located on.
Nhulunbuy is located on a mine lease. If you want to
explore around the Gove Peninsula and Arnhem Land
you must obtain a permit. If you are planning to travel
from Katherine via road to Nhulunbuy, it is required to
contact the Northern Land Council and obtain a permit.
The Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation can be contacted
to obtain a general permit for recreational areas around
the Gove Peninsula.
In the 2011 Census, it was estimated the community
of Nhulunbuy had a population of 3,933 people. This
includes 6.2 % Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples. The closure of the alumina refinery in 2014
lead to redeployment or redundancy of 1,100 workers.
Rio Tinto is responsible for funding town services
and managing the town of Nhulunbuy. The town of
Nhulunbuy has multiple supermarkets, a range of
specialty food and retail shops, dentist, hospitals,
health clinics, police, fire and emergency services.
Furthermore, there is an early learning centre,
preschools, primary and high school, university, library,
bank and a variety of accommodation options.
Nhulunbuy has a tropical climate with two seasons
- wet and dry. The wet season, November to April,
is characterised by increased humidity followed by
monsoonal rains and storms. The temperature ranges
from 24 to 33 degrees celsius and humidity can exceed
80%. The dry season, May to October, brings warm
and dry sunny days as well as cool nights. The
temperature range is 19 to 32 degrees celsius, with
humidity around 60%.
The town of Nhulunbuy has alcohol restrictions in place
and drinking in public places is prohibited, the region
operates a liquor permit system. You can drink in a
licensed premise and you need to obtain a liquor
permit to buy alcohol and drink in a private home or
at a recreational area.
The community has access to full telephone and internet
services, broadband satellite services (Telstra), 3G
mobile coverage and digital television.
If you have any specific questions
about this community, please contact us on
e [email protected] or t 08 8982 1000
COMMUNITY PROFILE - Nhulunbuy
Northern Territory, Australia
MANINGRIDA
GUNBALANYA
DARWIN
BATCHELOR
MILINGIMBI
GALIWIN’KU
RAMINGINING
GAPUWIYAK
PALMERSTON
GUNYANGARA
NHULUNBUY
YIRRKALA
UMBAKUMBA
(GROOTE EYLANDT)
NUMBULWAR
KATHERINE
NGUKURR
BARUNGA
TIMBER CREEK
BORROLOOLA
KALKARINDJI
LAJAMANU
TENNANT
CREEK
ALPURRURULUM
(LAKE NASH)
ALI CURUNG
WILLOWRA
Buffalo creek.
YUENDUMU
ABOUT THE HEALTH SERVICES
IN THE COMMUNITY
AMPILATWATJA
TI TREE
KINTORE
UTOPIA
ALICE
HERMANNSBURG SPRINGS
(NTARIA)
AMOONGUNA
SANTA TERESA
AREYONGA
DOCKER RIVER
Health services in Nhulunbuy include the Gove District
Hospital and a private general practice, as well as
Aboriginal community controlled health services.
MUTITJULU
FINKE
TRAVELLING TO THE COMMUNITY
The Gove District Hospital services the East Arnhem
region. The hospital is a 32-bed acute care facility
providing medical, surgical, paediatric, respite and
maternity services. There are 15 remote community
clinics that refer patients to the hospital for inpatient,
outpatient and specialist care. The hospital also provides
a district medical officer service to the region.
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation is a fully accredited
Aboriginal community controlled health service with
four main health centres across the north East Arnhem
region. The Nhulunbuy clinic is one of the three main
health centres run by Miwatj on the Gove Peninsula. The
clinic provides a walk-in acute care service and operates
a recall program for longer-term health problems.
The client base is diverse, including both residents of
Nhulunbuy as well as patients from nearby communities.
Facilities include a number of rooms for specialist visits.
The health service is also a teaching practice for medical
students of the Northern Territory Clinical School.
Access via Road
Nhulunbuy is located about 1,044km from Darwin
and 728km from the town of Katherine. The Central
Arnhem Road is the main road between Katherine and
Nhulunbuy. The road is unsealed and corrugated with
two major river crossings. It is advisable to check road
conditions before traveling on this road at all times. A
4WD vehicle is recommended.
Access via Air
The Gove Airport is located 11km south east of the town
centre, offers passengers a spacious air-conditioned
terminal. Travel time between Darwin and Gove is about
1 hour. The township is serviced by two major airlines,
Air North and Qantas, providing regular flights between
Darwin, Cairns and Gove. Many charter flights are
available to the different communities throughout East
Arnhem Land.
Access via Air
Perkins Shipping provides weekly freight services
between Darwin to Nhulunbuy by barge.
Health Network Northern Territory Ltd operating as Northern Territory PHN
Darwin
Alice Springs
GPO Box 2562 Darwin NT 0801
PO Box 1195 Alice Springs NT 0870
Stuart House 5 Shepherd Street, Darwin NT 0800
Remote Health Precinct 5 Skinner Street, Alice Springs NT 0870
t 08 8982 1000 f 08 8981 5899
t 08 8950 4800 f 08 8952 3536
e [email protected] • ntphn.org.au • ABN 17 158 970 480
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