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Trip Planner

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Details

Tourism East Arnhem continues to monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19 and the impacts this has on visitors to East Arnhem Land.

On this page

How do I visit East Arnhem Land?

 

Permits

Permits are required to access and transit some land destinations within the Northern Territory. Some permit requirements have changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Please read the information below to obtain the correct permit(s) for your travels. 

I am travelling to Nhulunbuy (Gove Peninsula)

Nhulunbuy and the broader Gove Peninsula remain open to visitors and permits are being issued. This includes recreational areas and campsites administered by Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation.

I am travelling by road

If travelling to Nhulunbuy (Gove Peninsula) via the Central Arnhem Road for recreational purposes, you require a Northern Land Council Transit Permit, you should not apply for a Recreational Permit. You can apply for your permit online and should upload the following as part of your application:

The latest advice from the Northern Land Council requires visitors to apply within 14 days of their intended date of departure. This is to ensure the COVID-19 declaration is current.

If you are a resident of the Gove Peninsula or visiting friends or family you should specify this as part of your application instead of supplying evidence you are a tourist.

By Air

No permit is required if you are travelling to the township of Nhulunbuy by air. However, a Dhimurru Access Permit is required to visit recreational areas surrounding the town.

I am travelling with a tour operator

Tour operators (Lirrwi Tourism, Culture College, Outback Spirit, Great Divide Tours) continue to take bookings for 2021. Any permits required for your tour will be organised on your behalf.

I am travelling TO RECREATIONAL areas outside of Nhulunbuy (Gove Peninsula)

If you have a booking with a tourism business outside of the Gove Peninsula you should contact these businesses for specific advice.

The Northern Land Council has advised they are not issuing permits for recreational travel (recreational permits) to communities and homelands outside the Gove Peninsula. This includes the communities of: 

These restrictions are at the request of community leaders and will affect very few travellers. Please consult the Northern Land Council (Nhulunbuy office) if you are required to travel to these communities for non-recreational purposes such as work.

For permits to enter Dholuwuy Campground (Baniyala) or the Cato River Recreational Area (Dhalinybuy), you are requested to book your campsite online and request a transit permit through the Northern Land Council online permit administration system. You should upload your booking confirmation as part of your permit application.  

Entry into low vaccination communitIES

From Monday 15 November 2021, any worker or resident who enters a low vaccination community (community with first dose under 70%) from Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine or interstate, must wear a mask at all times in public for 7 days after arrival.

Low vaccination communities

As of the 26 November, no community or homeland in East Arnhem Land is considered a low vaccination community for the purposes of remote travel requirements.

Rapid Antigen Testing is therefore not required to enter any of the communities or homelands of East Arnhem Land.

Vaccination data for remote communities that fall under the remote travel directions can be found here.

Rapid Antigen testing requirements

A negative Rapid Antigen test result is required prior to entry into a remote community with a first dose vaccination rate of less than 70%. 

  • Darwin - Royal Darwin Hospital Pandemic clinic, 105 Rocklands Dr, Tiwi, NT (8.30am - 4pm)
  • Alice Springs - Pandemic Coordination Centre, 44 Bath St, Alice Springs, NT (8am - 4pm Monday to Friday)

I am travelling to Groote Eylandt

Travel to Groote Eylandt is by air. Permits are not required for travel to the township of Alyangula or communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakbura. Permits, issued by the Anindilyakwa Land Council, are required if you plan on visiting the various recreational areas on the Archipelago.

If you have a booking with a tour company on Groote Eylandt, your permit will be organised on your behalf.

I AM Travelling from A DECLARED COVID-19 Red Zone

Home Quarantine

From Monday 22 November 2021, fully-vaccinated domestic arrivals coming to the Northern Territory from a declared COVID-19 red zone (previously hotspots) and international arrivals will be permitted to undertake seven days home quarantine. Currently, nowhere in East Arnhem Land is considered a NT approved home quarantine zone. This website will be updated with areas that are NT approved home quarantine zones.

There are a number of requirements associated with home quarantine. These include, but not limited to: 

·       You must have returned a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival into the Northern Territory and have proof of the result.

·       You must have a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival to the Northern Territory at the airport or the first regional centre or distribution point if travelling by road.

·       You must submit the additional following testing; A PCR test on day 5, A PCR test on day 8 and A PCR test on day 14. 

·       You must complete home quarantine in an approved home quarantine zone/s. At this time only Greater Darwin and Alice Springs are high vaccination zones. 

From 20 December 2021, fully-vaccinated arrivals to the Northern Territory will not be required to quarantine. A testing regime will remain in place for arrivals from declared red zones.

For more information on home quarantine please visit this website

Got questions?

For questions related to border entry requirements or the Chief Health Officer's directions, please call the Northern Territory Government's COVID-19 hotline on 1800 490 484.

If you have any questions about travelling to East Arnhem Land, please contact us or join the East Arnhem Land travel information Facebook group and post a question.