Intro

Oenpelli is a Aboriginal community town in the Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory about 70 kms from Jabiru. Arnhem Land

is a vast and remote area with spectacular escarpments, rock art, flood plains, animal life, beaches, mangrove wetlands and plant life.

Road travel is possible with a 4WD however access is by limited permit only.

East Arnhem Land is famous for its bark paintings and Oenpelli has its own community Cultural Centre where you can see these

artworks. If you buy here, you are assured of getting the genuine article and all proceeds from sales return directly to the community.

A permit is required for road travel in Arnhem Land which can take up to two weeks to finalise. It can be organised at the Northern

Land Council offices in Darwin or Jabiru. Many visitors prefer to see Arnhem Land through an organised tour operation.

Attractions in Arnhem Land:

•

Injaluk Arts & Crafts Centre - screen-printed fabrics, woven baskets, traditional bark paintings and more. Open 9 - 5 daily.

•

Open Door Festival - held in August each year. Visitors can see Arnhem Land without a permit for one day only.

Outro

I had a week or so left after Litchield so thought I would take the bike to Kakadu National Park.  I hired a car and drove the 350km from

Darwin to Jabiru.  I had a chat with the Aboriginal Land Council as I had heard of a little Aboriginal Artist community in a small town

called Oenpelli, a days ride across the East Aliigator river - the divide between Kakadu and Arnhem Land.  The Land Council were a

little reluctant to offer be a permit (they hadn't let mtn bikers through this way before) but after a 15min chat they issued me a permit on

the proviso that I report back to them when I get back to Jabiru.

Big thanks go out to these guys, the trip was the best!  I got to see the artists at work, got to meet Deborah Mailman and Cathy Freeman

who were filming for Lonely Planet and rode through some of the most stunning scenery.