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Tiwi By Design

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Tiwi By Design

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Immerse yourself in this premium SeaLink Tiwi Islands art & culture day tour.

A highly personalised cultural experience, ‘Tiwi By Design’ is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the busy day of one of the oldest and most artistically diverse art centres in Australia.

After disembarking in the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, meet your Tiwi guide who will escort you to Tiwi Design Art Centre where local artists and dancers will perform a traditional Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony and totem dances.

Inclusions

  • Return ferry Darwin to Bathurst Island
  • Traditional welcome ceremony
  • Walking tour with local Tiwi guide
  • Morning tea and lunch
  • Guided tour through the old Catholic Church
  • Cultural art session and take home screen print

Tour Details

  • Enjoy a typical Tiwi morning tea of damper and a cuppa whilst getting to know some of the Tiwi Island community members. A walking tour with your guide will take in some of the local painted buildings and the historic mission precinct where you will see the beautiful wooden Catholic church that featured in the 'Top End Wedding' movie.

    Visit the Patakijiyali Museum with your guide to learn the history of the Mission days, the Tiwi Creation story, Tiwi involvement in WWII and most importantly, (to the Tiwi!), celebrated football players!

    After a rest and lunch in the shade, you’ll get to participate in an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ screen printing workshop. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs to print onto a take-home t-shirt, tea towel or fabric – a wonderful souvenir of your Tiwi visit.

    There's some free time to browse the carvings, paintings and fabric, your best opportunity to purchase authentic Tiwi pieces at Island prices.
    This is a leisurely day of absorbing the workings of a busy Indigenous art centre – you may see art pieces destined for international exhibitions, talk to artists who are carving or painting, and sometimes the ladies will be there weaving and chatting. It is always loud and busy with Tiwi people coming and going, Ngarukuruwala music playing on repeat.

    Take the time to connect, share where you’re from and which footy team you support, ask about the stories you see on the paintings, or ask the artists there to show you their work.

    Read about our highly-rated tours on Tripadvisor.

    Highlights:
    • Local Tiwi guide
    • Traditional Aboriginal Welcome and smoking ceremony
    • Damper and cuppa morning tea with Tiwi Artists
    • Guided walking tour to the historic mission precinct
    • Create your own take-home screen print souvenir
  • PassengersLow Season Pricing 2024

    April, May, October, November

    High Season Pricing 2024

    June, July, August, September

    Adult$439$449
    Child (5-14 years inclusive)$350$350
    Senior (with valid seniors card)$405$425
  • Departure dates: Thursdays & Fridays from 1 April to 30 November 2024. Additional Monday departures in June, July and August. Excludes public holidays.

    Departure time: 8:00am returning to Darwin at 5:45pm

    Check-in: arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time

    Location: Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal

    • Snacks and cold drinks, tea & coffee, icecreams are available for purchase on board the ferry
    • Please avoid wearing any skimpy clothing or cut off shorts as this is not culturally appropriate on the Tiwi Islands
    • Keep hydrated: you can refill your water bottle at Tiwi Designs on our tours
    • Social Media: please make sure you obtain permission before taking photos of people. Do not take photos of children
    • No Swimming: Be aware of crocodiles #BeCrocWise
    • Quarantine: Before arriving or leaving check clothing does not have any weed seeds clinging to the fabric. NO Soil or fungus on shoes
    • Dogs not permitted

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