Bawaka Experience - FAQ's - Answers To Your Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bawaka?

Bawaka homeland is located 51klm south of Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula in North-East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. Click here for the Google map.

For the first half of the way to Bawaka, the road is well-formed, while the second half turns into a bush track running along a sandy tidal beach.

You will be in crocodile and buffalo country, so please take extra care as you drive in to Bawaka.

No boats, trailers, alcohol or pets are allowed. Boats and trailers cause excessive damage to the beach track.

Some areas are off-limits due to their sacred nature. Please respect this, and always check with your Yolŋu hosts before exploring new areas.

How do I book a Cultural Experience?

Cultural experiences and cultural activities can be booked as an Add-On when you are booking a stay at Bawaka homeland. You’ll get the best rates when booking these activities with an overnight stay.

If you are only visiting for a day, a Day Visit can be booked which includes a guided tour of Ngalarrkpuy Lonely Beach. Day Visits are only available on certain days of the week, so please check our booking calendar for dates.

If you require a private cultural experience for a group (education, private, or corporate groups) please ring 0457-458-543.

How can I book a Lonely Beach Tour?

If you have booked a Ngalarrkpuy, Lonely Beach tour, you must be at Bawaka by 10 AM as there is only one tour per day at low tide to ensure the best experience. The start time for the tour will change daily, depending on the tide times.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children can join any tour. Children under 4 are free. Children between 4 ~ 13 years are half price.

Please remember you are in crocodile country everywhere in northern Australia. So please make sure that children are very crocodile aware and they stay well clear of the water’s edge.

Crocodiles can launch themselves up to 3 meters out of the water. We recommend that you always stand 5 meters back from the water’s edge and never with your back to the water, as you may not notice sub-surface eyes that are watching.

Please make sure that all children are crocodile aware and that they understand these dangers and are supervised at all times.

Is 4WD experience required?

Bawaka Homeland is limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles and experienced drivers. There is a 17 km bush track drive from the locked gate, followed by a 5km beach drive. Depending on road conditions and tides, the caretaker may meet you along the track, or instruct you to follow the signs into Bawaka.

Please travel slowly and carefully on all bush tracks as there are washouts at times, and it is sometimes hard to see vehicles coming coming towards you on the narrow bush roads/tracks. Be ready to move over if needed, as most accidents on bush tracks are head-on collisions.

For the beach drive – place your vehicle into low-range four-wheel drive for the beach drive, even if the sand is firm. This will help to stop unwanted wheel track grooving. If you have any trouble with dry sand, please reduce your tyre pressure to 20psi/138kpa. Always follow the existing tyre tracks and the signs.

Can we bring boats or trailers to Bawaka?

Boats, trailers and camper-trailers are not allowed at Bawaka homeland.

The road to Bawaka is a bush track, and there are some bad washouts at times. There is a 5 km beach drive, and access to Bawaka changes all year round. In the wet season, there are boggy stretches, and in the dry season, the sand beach road can get very soft and boggy.

We only recommend experienced 4-wheel drive drivers in a good 4-wheel drive vehicle.

If you have a trailer, you can leave it behind a locked gate at the end of the dirt road, or in Nhulunbuy at a number of different locations.

If you are staying somewhere in Nhulunbuy, the chances are you can leave it there. If not, contact us and we will organise something.

How not to getting bogged in soft sand

For a nice beach drive – not getting bogged
Please place your vehicle into low-range four-wheel drive for the beach drive, even if the sand is firm. This will help to stop unwanted wheel track grooving. In the dry season, please reduce your tyre pressure to 20psi/138kpa.

The softest sand is not on the beach during the dry season, but when you come off the beach, you have to drive on sand roads near the Bawaka Lodge. Many people get bogged up there.

Important. If you find yourself not moving forward when driving on soft sand, stop immediately. Do not keep the wheels turning; you will only dig yourself in.

Stop immediately and reverse back. Use a set of Max Tracks if you do not move backwards.

When you have moved backward, get out and fill in the track ahead of you.

If You have a high-powered vehicle, go easy on the power. Do not go digging up all the Bawaka roads with your wheels spinning flat out. Spinning Wheels will only dig you in, in mud or on sand, making big holes everywhere for everyone.

Make sure your tyres are at 20psi/138kpa; then, you should have no trouble moving forward.

When you stop moving forward in soft sand, there is no clearance under the vehicle, so you lose traction. If the track looks deep in front of you, get out and fill in the tracks. It’s much better than spending your day getting unblogged or having the Bawaka staff spend all day getting you out.

Always follow the existing tyre tracks and the signs to get you to the Bawaka Lodge.

What should we bring to Bawaka?

Bring your own food

Water. There is only bore water available at Bawaka. Therefore, we suggest you bring enough drinking water with you for your visit.
Sun protection – sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses, etc.
Your own first-aid kit
Personal toiletries.
Sneakers/walking shoes.
Insect repellent.
Personal torch, even if you are only coming for the day.
Do not bring boats, trailers, alcohol or pets.

Please make sure you have enough food to be self-sufficient for the day, or the number of days you are staying. Please consider breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as there is no access to groceries at Bawaka. The nearest shop is in Nhulunbuy, 51km away.

No swimming

You are in crocodile country, so swimming is allowed, except at your own risk and only under supervision from the Yolngu landowners. It is recommended that you wear modest clothing that is respectful of Yolŋu culture.

Crocodile Country

You are in crocodile country everywhere in North Australia. So please stay well clear of the water’s edge. Crocodiles can launch themselves out of the water up to three metres. We recommend that you always stand five metres back from the water’s edge and never with your back to the water, as you might not notice subsurface eyes that are watching. If you have children with you, please make sure they are Croc aware and understand these dangers.

Phones

Mobile coverage is extremely patchy and unreliable at Bawaka. Sometimes, it is possible if you stand in the right place. Texting seems to be possible most of the time. There is a free public phone where you can make calls to mobiles anywhere in Australia. The phone number is (08) 8987 3433. However, it is situated away from the accommodation area, and no one will hear it ring. The Bawaka Care-Taker’s mobile is 0476 266 249.

Please enjoy your stay at our unknown paradise.

Is there food/groceries available?

There is no food or groceries available at Bawaka Homeland. You will need to be self sufficient and bring all groceries, snacks and water with you. Please make sure you have enough food to be self-sufficient for the day, or the number of days you are staying. Please consider breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as there is no access to food at Bawaka. The nearest shop is in Nhulunbuy, 51km away.

Is alcohol allowed?

Alcohol is not allowed at Bawaka.

What are the guidelines around Swimming?

You are in crocodile country, so no swimming is allowed, except at your own risk and only under supervision of the Yolŋu hosts.

If you plan on going in the water, we ask that you wear modest clothing that is respectful of Yolŋu culture.

Please remember you are in crocodile country everywhere in northern Australia. So please make sure that everyone is crocodile aware and knows to stay well clear of the water’s edge.

Are pets allowed?

Sorry, pets are not allowed at Bawaka. Everywhere in Northern Australia is crocodile country, and crocodiles will take advantage of any pets getting too close to the water.

What is Bawaka’s cancellation policy?

As a small business with many extra remote-related overheads, we need to ensure that our Yolŋu business remains financially viable. Cancellations often result in empty rooms and loss of vital income. Therefore, the following conditions apply:

Cancellation Rules

Changes can be made to dates and visitor numbers at no extra charge, if it’s more than 30 days prior to arrival date.
Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to arrival date, will receive a refund of the amount paid, less a $50 administration fee.
Cancellations within 30 days of arrival date, all monies will be forfeited.
No refunds can be given in the event of non-arrival, unused services or accommodation nights, due to flight and/or weather disruption.
We recommend that all visitors take out adequate Travel Insurance to cover costs arising from;

Cancellation of a booking due to unforeseen circumstances
Loss and/or damage to property.
Personal injury and/or illness.
Other events

Bawaka Experience:

Reserves the right to alter an itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances and/or cultural reasons.
Accepts no responsibility for any loss of or damage to your personal property.
Will not be held accountable for any personal injury or illness to the client during the course of your stay at Bawaka Homeland.