The Arnhem Land Region is one of the five regions of the Northern
Territory of Australia that has a large aboriginal reserve. Around
500km from the territory capital of Darwin, Arnhem Land is made up of
the entire north-eastern half of the Top End of the Northern Territory,
beyond Kakadu National Park. The Arnhem Land Aboriginal Land Trust owns
and manages the site it cannot be visited just as when you want to. If
you are on your own and in your own vehicle, you will need a permit
from the Northern Land Council in the shopping centre in Jabiru to
visit the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre which sells various
traditional Aboriginal souvenirs. It is best to book extremely early as
only 15 vehicles are allowed to cross per week You will not be allowed
to stop along the way, except in emergencies, nor in the town of
Oenpelli itself. A possibly more convenient way to explore it is to
join a tour group, most often led by Aboriginal guides, which you can
organize from Darwin or from Jabiru. The area also has some magnificent
rock art, which is a big attraction, along with its natural beauty. The
drive along the dust road from Kakadu to Oenpelli is spectacular, as
you travel along the East Alligator flood plain.
Arnhem Land
is just another world in Australia. So much of the aboriginal people
and nature, place where people speak several languages, people often
understand and speak as many as five languages. There are other
destinations in Australia but Arnhem is something completely different in a Territory Outback.