Dugong Beach Resort, Groote Eylandt: December 2009

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Groote Eylandt - Background

Groote Eylandt means big island in Dutch and is indeed the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Although official ownership of the island has been returned to the Anindilyakwa people, the Dutch were the first Europeans to record its existence.

You can apply for a permit to visit Groote Eylandt by contacting the Anindilyakwa Land Council office on Groote Eylandt. Located 650 kilometres from Darwin by air, Groote Eylandt is part of Arnhem Land and permits from the Northern Land Council are mandatory for all visitors.

The Groote Eylandt landscape is typical of the Top End, light woodland savannah country fringed by mangroves on the coast. Alyangula is the main town with a population of 670 and most residents are non Aboriginal miners.

Groote Eylandt is a fantastic spot for fishing and while facilities for visitors are limited, safaris can be for anglers on the trail of queenfish, trevally, tuna, billfish, mackerel, cobia, barracuda and the many reef species abundant here.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

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