Bathurst Island and nearby Melville Island, off the coast of the Northern Territory, make up the Tiwi Islands. Dubbed the Islands of Smiles, the Tiwi Islands are a short 50-mi/80-km flight or ferry ride north of Darwin.
The islands belong to the Tiwi people, who live much as they did centuries ago, except they now sell their interesting wood carvings, silk-screened art and pottery to tourists. A permit is required to visit Bathurst Island, which is best seen on a tour.
Tours to the Tiwi Islands can be arranged from Darwin.
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