In 1705 Maaren van Delft arrived at the island on the ship Vossenbosch, de Waijer. He explored it and then returned to Macassar.

Bathurst Island was named after Earl Bathurst who was Secretary of State for the colonies at the time when Phillip Parker King sailed between Melville and Bathurst Islands in 1818. This despite the fact that Abel Tasman would have come across the islands on his travels back in the seventeenth century when he was sailing along the north coast.

In 1911 the Catholic Church first established a mission on the island. The island was also the first Australian soil to be scoured by enemy aircraft. The first Japanese prisoner of war was captured on the island in 1942. The Tiwi Islands are only accessible via a tour.

Historical Attractions

The Catholic Church, dating back to 1941, combines strains from both the Catholic and Tiwi worlds. Its architecture is quite unique, and it is an impressive place to visit while on Bathurst Island.

Museums

Patakijiyali Museum will provide the visitor with an insight into the culture of the Tiwi and their rich heritage and it also gives you information about the missionary that was established earlier this century.

Arts and Craft

One of the things for which the Tiwi are particularly known is their carvings. By paying the Tiwi Pima Art Centre a visit you will get to see a selection of these, from burial poles to all kinds of other figures.

Natural Attractions

The Barra Base on the island is where the keen fisherman has a great choice of fish to choose from with barramundi, mackeral, salmon, tuna and a whole host of other fishing possibilities.

0 of a possible 0 points from 0 votes