Please be aware that the new permit required under the Biosecurity Act Determination required to enter Groote Eylandt or communities is not a Recreation Permit, and essential service providers and other holders of the ALC permit do not get automatic entry to Recreation Areas. Recreation Permits can only be purchased at the Ranger Base at Pole 13 in Alyangula.

The Ranger Base is operating with limited staff due to COVID-19, therefore all applications will be accepted by appointment only. Call the Ranger base on 8987 6703 to book your appointment.

Anindilyakwa recreation areas managed by the Land & Sea Rangers remain open at this stage. People must still practice social distancing and good hygiene methods. Travel to and from Recreation Areas must not include stopping at any Aboriginal Community (Angurugu/Umbakumba) or Satellite Community for food, drink or supplies to minimise contact with community members, to reduce the likelihood of contagion. Access via the newly resurfaced Angurugu back road for the Southern Recreational Areas is available to use now, so there is no need to travel into Angurugu. Be prepared and do your shopping in your home town/community to avoid interaction with multiple communities.

Please remember: large group gatherings at Rec areas are not permitted, do not take alcohol onto Rec areas under any circumstance and always take your rubbish with you. Rangers will continue to have a presence both on land and sea during these the coming weeks and poor behaviour will be reported to Police, and could lead to cancellation of permits and the shutdown of Rec areas. Before you head out, ensure you check for the latest land closures on the sign board and follow the Anindilyakwa Land & Sea Rangers on Facebook. As usual, people are advised to take your own recovery gear (max tracks, shovel, winch/snatch strap, chainsaw) and plenty of drinking water, and remember that track conditions change regularly.

There is strictly no access to closed recreation lands across the Groote archipelago until the lands have been re-opened.

The following recreation areas are closed until further notice:

All recreation areas on Bickerton Island