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After a long struggle for independence since 1975, East Timor officially became independent on 20th May 2002 with the help of the UN.

East Timor had a long history of being controlled by larger countries. From the Portuguese back in 1520, the Spanish in 1522, the Dutch in 1613, the British from 1812 – 1815, Japanese occupation during World War II, and lastly by the Indonesians in 1976.

East Timor is our neighbour, with the Timor Sea lying between Australia’s north and East and West Timor; so why don’t we have a look at a few islands that lie between us that you can visit. They’re still part of Australia – so no passport needed!

Tiwi Island

Not a widely known island, which is part of it’s appeal.  It lies 100 kms north of Darwin and comprises of two islands, Bathurst & Melville. Both taking you to a completely unique part of Australia. 

Tiwi Islands are known for fishing and their thriving local Aboriginal culture. Almost 90 per cent of the residents on the island are of Aboriginal descent, which they are open to sharing their customs and traditions with you on a range of local guided tours.

The fishing is world-class with secluded fishing lodges available with tailored fishing adventures you can do.  The waters around Tiwi Island have over 40 species of fish. You must abide by their fishing laws, staying clear from fishing at sacred sites. This helps protects their wildlife and stops pollution.

On the western side of the island, you’ll find a secluded luxury accommodation, Tiwi Island Retreat, which is surrounded by a Marine sanctuary. You’ll find different types of accommodation styles, from your contemporary beach shack, ensuite ocean rooms, to beachfront glamping.

Garig Gunak Barlu National Park

Go north of the Northern Territory, to the very top of Australia, and you’ll find a national park that takes up a whole island. We love national parks because that means the whole island is protected – all 4,500 square kilometres of it.

The Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is in the Cobourg Peninsula and it’s only open in the dry season from May – September.

It’s remote and rugged, fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches. A green and blue paradise with two campgrounds as the only accommodation on offer.

It’s a beautiful place for hiking, birdwatching, fishing, boating and photography, boasting remote and rugged beaches, sand dunes, coastal grasslands, mangroves, rainforest patches, swamps, lagoons, coral reefs and sea grass meadows.

The national park is rich in marine life, anglers will love their choice of mackerel, queenfish, snapper, reef fish and sharks.

Check out the Black Point Cultural Centre to learn about the island’s history, and catch a boat to see the eerie ruins of a failed Victorian settlement.

You can get to Garig Gunak Barlu National Park by air, sea or 4WD only via unsealed roads. A park permit is needed to visit and stay overnight from the Parks and Wildlife permits office.

 Endyalgout Island

Off the coast of the NT, Endyalgout Island is just 15 kms wide with a 10 km long section of coastal plain. This small island is known for swimming and surfing. 

It’s also a hidden gem known by anglers, home to the Endyalgout Island Lodge: a prime fishing destination, known for decades.

This remote fishing destination just recently reopened to the public after being closed for a short while. The owners of the Island Lodge have been granted a lease by the traditional owners to the camp and it’s surrounding waterways.

What makes Endyalgout Island a prime fishing destination? In the 90s it was described as the “Land of the Giants” because of it’s colossal catches!

Some of the largest Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, Black Jewfish and Golden Snapper were caught there.

The Endyalgout Island Lodge is situated near the Mini Mini River System and Maxi Maxi River System, one of the largest systems in the Northern Territory.

The lodge only operates between May and November, to give time for the marine life to thrive and regenerate, protecting the fragile ecosystem and fish populations.