This island is the second largest island off the Australian coast, only Tasmania is bigger. In 1636, Peter Pieterszoon arrived at the island on Cleen Amsterdam. He thought that it was a part of the mainland Wessel Islands. Phillip Parker King landed on the island and named it in 1818.

When he arrived he came across a number of Aborigines who were able to speak a little Portuguese which indicates that they had dealings with outside visitors previously. The two main towns on the island are Milikapiti and Pularumpi, the latter of these was where Fort Dundas was founded, this being the first European settlement in north Australia. Fort Dundas came into being in 1824. As townships go, this was not a particularly successful one. Indeed, it was eventually abandoned only five years after it had been established.

The Muluwurri Museum has a wonderful collection of Tiwi artefacts, photographs and a whole host of other interesting things to see. You should remember that you require a permit from the Tiwi Land Council to visit Milikapiti.

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