Alyangula
Township in Australia
Description
Alyangula is the largest township on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory.
GROOTE EYLANDT
Groote Eylandt is Australia’s third largest island (if you exlude Tasmania) and was named by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Meaning ‘Great Island’ in Dutch it certainly lives up to its name.
The Groote Archipelago is located around 630 kilometres east of Darwin, approximately a 1.5 hour flight from Darwin or a 40 minute flight from Nhulunbuy.
The Groote Archipelago is comprised of two main island, Groote Eylandt and the Bickerton Islands, and includes the Anindilyakwa communities of Umbakumba, Milyakburra and Angurugu, which are home to approximately 1500 people. The total population of Groote Eylandt Archipelago is 2811.
The township of Alyangula is located on the north west coast of Groote Eylandt and has a population of approximately 900 people. The Alyangula township was established in the late 1960s by the Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) as the residence of the mine’s workers. Alyangula is home to the Anindilyakwa Arts and Cultural Centre, as well as the beachside Alyangula Golf Club. The Groote Archipelago is known for its pristine waters and an abundance of fish and spectacular beaches, with access to the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
A permit is required from the Anindilyakwa Land Council to visit Groote Eylandt.
ALYANGULA GOLF CLUB
Alyangula Golf Club is nestled amid a superb tropical island setting on the foreshore of Milner Bay within the Groote Eylandt archipelago. The course and clubhouse are situated on Alebuwa Road, centrally located within the township of Alyangula on the northwest site of Groote Eylandt. The course is 9 holes with 18 different tee blocks and a Par 65 (ACR 62), and is kept in excellent condition. Alyangula Golf Club offers fantastic facilities including a licensed bar, bistro and dining room, playground, proshop for golf apparel and accessories and practice nets and green.
ANINDILYAKWA ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE
Anindilyakwa Arts and Cultural Centre operates an art gallery across from the Groote Eylandt Lodge in Alyangula. Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is located south-west of Nhulunbuy township. Anindilyakwa Arts & Cultural Centre was established in 2005 and is run by the Anindilyakwa Land Council, supporting over 100 local Aboriginal artists to promote and sell their artwork, creating sustainable and meaningful jobs in the community for the future.
The art centre supports artists from across the Groote archipelago communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba & Milyakburra as well as supporting artists who live in homelands by providing materials and visits to support their artistic development and cultural preservation.
Items available for purchase through the gallery include naturally hand dyed textiles, paintings (ochres and acrylics on canvas, bark and shells), weavings, hand crafted jewellery, ceremonial and traditional wood works and carvings (spears, woomeras, coolamons, clap sticks, miniature canoes, didjeridu, boomerangs and carved animals).
OPENING HOURS
- Tuesday to Friday: 9am – 5pm
- Saturday: 10am – 2pm
- Sunday to Monday: closed
GROOTE EYLANDT SPORTS FISHING
Groote Eylandt Sports Fishing offers multi-day fishing charters using the latest Shimano equipment and a selection of specific terminal tackle. Target blue water species like Sailfish, Spanish mackerel and Golden snapper, on beautiful 25 foot Keywest Bluewater vessels, powered by twin 150 horse power Yamahas. Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria offers some of the most diverse fishing grounds in the world, including some 300 square kilometres of prime, virtually unfished water.
Four main areas cater for every angling experience: reef, blue water sport fishing, estuary and fly fishing. As part of your charter, accommodation in a waterfront bungalow at the Groote Eylandt Lodge is included. When you return from your day out fishing, relax around the lodge pool or in the Seagrass Restaurant and talk to the chef about having your catch cooked and prepared. The island also has some of the most prolific and best preserved Aboriginal rock art in Australia, with the option to visit sites on request.