Located on the north east end of Groote Eylandt, Umbakumba is 55 kilometres from Angurugu. It is quite an isolated place, which started its life as a Qantas flying boat base. It was in 1938 that Fred Gray established the base here. The Aborigines who settled in the vicinity of Umbakumba supplied the base with both produce and labour. Gray's wife did a lot for the community, starting up a small school after the war and running a basic clinic amongst other things.

It was in 1958 that the responsibility for Umbakumba went to the Anglican Church Missionary Society with Keith Hart becoming the first Superintendent. A chapel was constructed, the school renovated plus a shop and staff houses erected. The Anglicans in turn passed the administration of the settlement on to the Welfare branch in 1966.

Interestingly, the Aboriginal women of Groote Eylandt used to cover their heads with paperbark when out in the open during the day. This practise was continued until. The women were following ancestral spirits and hence the necessity for such secrecy.

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