Arnhem Land

Arnhem Land Family

Families across East Arnhem Land can find after-school and holiday activities, library spaces, Yolŋu-led youth opportunities and culturally safe support for parents, children and kinship carers. Availability varies between communities, so checking the current program before travelling is worthwhile.

🎯 Activities, learning and youth connection

East Arnhem Regional Council Active Communities & Youth Services

Young people in Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Milingimbi, Ramingining, Yirrkala and Gunyangara can join adult-facilitated activities after school and during school holidays. Depending on the community, facilities may include youth drop-in centres, recreation halls, libraries and community sporting spaces. The council publishes current activity and holiday planners online and also offers support for young people experiencing low to moderate vulnerabilities. In Gapuwiyak, its Children and Families Intensive Support program provides trauma-informed early intervention and targeted case management for at-risk children and families aged 0–18.

East Arnhem Regional Council Libraries

Libraries in Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi, Ramingining and Nhulunbuy offer lending, free internet, events, workshops and children’s activities. Nhulunbuy Library also serves Yirrkala and Gunyangara. Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi and Ramingining libraries open Monday to Friday from 9 am–12 pm and 1 pm–4 pm; Nhulunbuy opens Monday to Friday from 9 am–4 pm and Saturday from 10 am–1 pm. Ask the local library or council office about current holiday programs.

East Arnhem Land Youth Model (Guŋga’yunga Djamarrkuḻiny)

This community- and homelands-led ALPA model operates in Gapuwiyak, Galiwin’ku, Ramingining and Milingimbi. Local leadership groups make decisions about funded activities that help young people strengthen connections with culture, family, kinship and Country. Activities are created, managed and run by Yolŋu.

❤ Parenting, family and kinship support

Yalu Aboriginal Corporation Children and Family Services

Yalu supports families in Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi, Ramingining, Gapuwiyak and surrounding homelands. Its Family Support Service works with referred families through case management and practical in-home assistance. The Indigenous Parenting Service offers culturally safe parenting and wellbeing support, cooking, workshops, bush trips and learning opportunities. A Kinship Carer Service assists families and prospective recognised kinship carers. For Children and Family Services intake, email Intake@yalu.org.au or call (08) 8987 9259, Monday to Friday from 8.30 am–4.30 pm.

📌 Before you take part

• Check the current activity or school-holiday planner, as programs can differ between communities.
• Confirm the intended age group, supervision arrangements and whether a parent or carer needs to remain onsite.
• Ask about accessibility, transport and any booking requirements before travelling.
• For family support, check whether a referral, intake conversation or kinship-carer recognition process applies.

✨ If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Arnhem Land, you are welcome to add a listing or update your existing details so local families can find current, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on arnhemland.nt.guide.