Tiwi By Design

Inclusions

• Return ferry Darwin to Bathurst Island
• Traditional Aboriginal welcome and smoking ceremony
• Walking tour with local Tiwi guide
• Morning tea and lunch
• Guided walking tour to the historic mission precinct
• Cultural art session and take home screen print

• Full description

  A highly personalised cultural experience, ‘Tiwi By Design’ is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the busy day of one of the oldest and most artistically diverse art centres in Australia.
  

  After disembarking from the ferry in the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, meet your Tiwi guide who will escort you to the Tiwi Design Art Centre where local artists and dancers will perform a traditional Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony and totem dances.

  Enjoy a typical Tiwi morning tea of damper and a cuppa while getting to know some of the Tiwi Island community members. A walking tour with your guide will take in some of the local painted buildings and the historic mission precinct where you will see the beautiful wooden Catholic church that featured in the movie, Top End Wedding.

  Visit the Patakijiyali Museum with your guide to learn the history of the Mission days, the Tiwi Creation story, Tiwi involvement in WWII and most importantly (to the Tiwi!) celebrated football players.

  After a rest and lunch in the shade, you’ll get to participate in an exclusive behind-the-scenes screen printing workshop. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs to print onto a take-home t-shirt, tea towel or fabric – a wonderful souvenir of your Tiwi visit.

  There's some free time to browse the carvings, paintings and fabric, your best opportunity to purchase authentic Tiwi pieces at Island prices.

  This is a leisurely day of absorbing the workings of a busy Indigenous art centre – you may see art pieces destined for international exhibitions, talk to artists who are carving or painting, and sometimes the ladies will be there weaving and chatting. It is always loud and busy with Tiwi people coming and going, and Ngarukuruwala music playing on repeat.

  Take the time to connect, share where you’re from and which footy team you support, ask about the stories you see on the paintings, or ask the artists to show you their work.
  
  Read about our highly-rated tours on Tripadvisor.
  

• Pricing

  Passengers	Low Season 2025 (April, May, October, November)	High Season 2025 (June, July, August, September)
  Adult	$469	$479
  Child (5-14 years inclusive)	$399	$409
  Senior (with valid seniors card)	$430	$440

• Departure dates and times

  Dates: Thursdays and Fridays (excluding public holidays)

  Departure time: 8:00am

  Return time: 5:45pm

  Check-in: Arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time

  Location: Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal
• Important information

  Clothing

  • Please avoid wearing any skimpy clothing or cut off shorts as this is not culturally appropriate on the Tiwi Islands

  Food and drink

  • Keep hydrated: you can refill your water bottle at Tiwi Designs on our tours
  • Snacks, cold drinks, tea and coffee are available for purchase on board the ferry

  Social media

  • Please obtain permission before taking photos of people and do not take photos of children

  Quarantine

  • Before arriving or leaving, check clothing does not have any weed seeds clinging to the fabric
  • Strictly no soil or fungus on shoes
  • Dogs not permitted

  No swimming

  • Be aware of crocodiles #BeCrocWise
• Frequently asked questions

  What is the duration of the tour?

  The tour runs for approximately 9 hours and 45 minutes.

  Where are the Tiwi Islands?

  The Tiwi Islands are 80km north of Darwin, Northern Territory.

  How long is the ferry ride?

  The SeaLink ferry takes 2.5 hours to travel from Cullen Bay, Darwin to Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, part of the Tiwi Islands.