Groote Eylandt Airport (GTE)

Departures from Groote Eylandt Airport (GTE) at a glance

• 4flights a day61st busiest of 111 airports
• 2routes from here
• 1airline
• 09:30 – 18:10first and last00061218

Collected 30 October 2026. Not live — check with the airline before booking.

Groote Eylandt Airport (GTE) is the airport for Groote Eylandt, an island in the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory, and the site's schedule data records Airnorth flights from it to Darwin and Nhulunbuy. The Traditional Owners of the Groote Archipelago are the Anindilyakwa people, and on the island the Anindilyakwa Land Council's permit rules, the Northern Territory Government's Groote Eylandt liquor permit and a quarantine rule on plants and animals are the rules a visitor meets on the island.

Operator and facilities at Groote Eylandt Airport

Airservices Australia's aerodrome entry for Groote Eylandt (issue of 3 September 2026) names Groote Eylandt Mining Co., of Alyangula, as the aerodrome operator. The Anindilyakwa Land Council names the company as the Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO), which began operations on the island in 1965 to mine manganese, and says the majority of it is "owned and operated by South 32".

Under passenger facilities, the entry lists "WC/HC (by arrangement)", which Airservices' key to the codes reads as toilets and a hire car. The same key warns that a taxi or hire car may need a phone call after arrival.

Direct domestic flights recorded from Groote Eylandt Airport

Direct domestic flights recorded from Groote Eylandt Airport go to the places below, each flown by Airnorth.

Destination	Airport	Airline recorded
Darwin	Darwin International Airport (DRW)	Airnorth
Nhulunbuy	Gove Airport (GOV)	Airnorth

Flying Airnorth from Groote Eylandt

Check-in and identification

Airnorth's conditions of carriage ask passengers on domestic flights to complete check-in "at least 60 minutes and no later than 30 minutes before departure", and a passenger who has not checked in by the minimum time will not be permitted to travel. Web check-in opens 24 hours before departure, but passengers with bags to check go to an Airnorth counter, and passengers with special needs and unaccompanied minors check in with Airnorth staff at the airport. Airnorth also says some of its routes are excluded from web check-in for operational reasons.

For domestic flights, the conditions list the only acceptable forms of photographic identification: a national passport, a driver's licence issued under Commonwealth, State or Territory law, an identifying document issued by the Commonwealth, a State or Territory or one of their authorities, or an aviation security identification card. Each must be valid at the time of travel, and Airnorth says you may be asked to produce photo identification at the boarding gate.

Baggage by aircraft type

Airnorth sets its allowances by aircraft type. On domestic flights, each adult and child (except infants) has a 20 kg checked allowance on the Embraer E170 and E190 jets and 15 kg on the Embraer E120, and one piece must not exceed 32 kg. Airnorth's carry-on page gives 9 kg for the E170 and 4 kg for the E120, and asks passengers connecting to an E120 to keep their carry-on within the E120 rules.

When payload is restricted, Airnorth says checked bags may travel on the next available flight, to be collected from the airport. Its carry-on page says "the lighter the better", because there can be a fair distance to walk at some airports and limited space in the cabin. Check Airnorth's baggage pages before you pack.

Boarding, assistance and disruption

Among the things Airnorth's special and medical needs page says a passenger travelling without a carer must be able to do is manage "aircraft stairs if a port does not have a Disabled Person Lift (DPL) available". Airnorth asks passengers with special needs to complete its assistance form and email it at least 72 hours before a flight, and says that without advance notice a passenger may not be able to travel on their chosen date or flight. Its reservation centre is on 1800 627 474.

Airnorth's conditions name bad weather among the reasons a flight may be delayed or cancelled, and allow Airnorth to substitute another aircraft without notice. Where events beyond its control, weather among them, cause a significant change, Airnorth says it will use reasonable endeavours to rebook you on its next available flight, or refund the fare if it cannot rebook you on services acceptable to you. It says it will not be responsible for costs or expenses you incur from the delay or cancellation unless applicable laws, such as the Australian Consumer Law, require it.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the monsoon is part of northern Australia's wet season from November to April, and that it can bring long periods of heavy rain and fresh to strong squally winds, which can lead to floods in affected areas. It gives the official tropical cyclone season in the Australian region as 1 November to 30 April.

Permits to visit Groote Eylandt

The Northern Territory Government on airstrips

The Northern Territory Government says you don't need an entry permit "to directly access" these areas on Aboriginal land: airstrips, landing places, main access roads into major communities, and public areas within the communities. It also says members of the public should contact a land council to check if they need entry or any other permits.

The Anindilyakwa Land Council's rules

The Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) administers the permit system for the Traditional Owners of the Groote Archipelago, and says Commonwealth and Northern Territory laws require a written permit to enter Aboriginal land. In its words, Aboriginal land "is neither Crown land nor public land". The Land Council says you need a permit to enter Aboriginal land for any purpose and to travel by road through it, though the road rule does not apply to public roads or to the mining leases held by GEMCO.

Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra (on Bickerton Island) are covered by Commonwealth leases, and visitors do not need a permit to visit those communities, the Land Council says. Its permits page lists tourists, contractors and journalists among the people the rules apply to.

For Aboriginal land outside the designated recreation areas, or for any purpose other than recreation inside them, the Land Council issues a Special Access Permit. Its frequently asked questions page (FAQ) says processing can take up to 1 month, and warns that applying too far in advance increases the chance that weather, ceremonial events or funerals cancel a permit at short notice. The FAQ gives the pick-up points as the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Ranger Base at Pole 13 or the Land Council office in Alyangula, and the Rangers' number is (08) 8987 6703.

Recreation areas, conditions and closures

The Land Council's designated recreation areas on Groote Eylandt are open to visitors for fishing and camping with a permit, and are reachable by vehicle and by boat. Everyone over the age of 15 needs a valid Recreation Permit, and people under 15 must be accompanied by a permit holder. The FAQ says a Recreation Permit can take up to 5 working days and is usually processed on the same day.

The Land Council's recreation page directs applicants to its online permit site and its ALC Ranger App, while its permits page says to organise the permit with the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers at Pole 13 on arrival.

You must carry your permit with you at all times, the Land Council says, and its FAQ says a permit does not automatically authorise cutting trees, fishing, hunting or carrying firearms. Permission is required before research, filming or photography that could lead to commercial activity or publication. The Land Council asks visitors to respect the privacy of people living in Aboriginal communities.

Areas may be closed for sorry business or other cultural reasons, the Land Council says, and some of these closures may remain in place for extended periods. It warns that saltwater crocodiles may be present in any of the water bodies on the Groote Archipelago, and calls the dry season the best season for camping.

Alcohol on Groote Eylandt

The Northern Territory Government says that on Aboriginal land, "unless allowed by permit, alcohol is banned". Its Groote Eylandt liquor permit page says the permit is for residents, visitors and contractors in Alyangula, Angurugu and Umbakumba, and a visitor permit lasts for the duration of the visit, but no longer than 3 months.

With a permit, the page says, Alyangula residents, contractors or tourists can buy takeaway alcohol, drink at a private residence and drink at the town's clubs. Outside Alyangula, in the page's words, "you cannot drink even with a permit". The page also says Umbakumba and Angurugu residents can apply for a permit, but only for entering and drinking at two clubs, the Alyangula Golf Club and the Arc.

The Land Council's liquor permit page says that Groote Eylandt is a Prescribed Area and that, as a condition of your permit and at the Traditional Owners' specific request, no alcohol or drugs are to be brought in or consumed in any of the recreation areas.

The Northern Territory Government's general permit rules list illegally bringing liquor into, or having liquor in, a restricted area among the breaches that lead to a permit being refused or revoked. They say communities may set further conditions, such as rules on transporting alcohol.

Airnorth's dangerous goods page is a baggage rule, apart from the Northern Territory rules above. It sets the airline's own conditions for alcoholic beverages in carry-on and checked baggage: retail packaging, up to a net 5 L per person and no stronger than 70% alcohol.

Cane toads, plants and animals

The aerodrome entry says cane toads are prohibited on Groote Eylandt. It also says it is a strict quarantine requirement that other plant and animal species must not be brought to Groote Eylandt without permission from the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers, and gives their number, 08 8987 6703, for details. The Land Council's own quarantine pages say that all animals brought to the archipelago need its written permission 14 days before arrival, and that plants need its written pre-approval and come by barge, with no other method of transport, such as by plane, permitted.

Groote Eylandt, Alyangula and the Anindilyakwa people

The Traditional Owners and their language

The Anindilyakwa Land Council is the peak representative body for the Traditional Owners of the Groote Archipelago, who are referred to by their language name, Anindilyakwa. The Land Council says the archipelago's Indigenous people are made up of clans who continue their salt-water culture and strong ceremonial traditions.

The language is generally known as Anindilyakwa, and its speakers call it Amamalya Ayakwa. The Land Council describes it as a complex language and one of the few Australian Indigenous languages still spoken strongly throughout its communities.

Alyangula, the mine and what is listed there

Alyangula is on the north-west coast of Groote Eylandt. The Land Council says GEMCO established Alyangula primarily as the residence for the mining company's workers, under a special purpose lease between GEMCO, the Land Council and the Anindilyakwa Land Trust.

Visit East Arnhem, the regional tourism body, lists the Anindilyakwa Arts and Cultural Centre, an art gallery across from the Groote Eylandt Lodge in Alyangula, and the Alyangula Golf Club on the foreshore of Milner Bay. For accommodation or help planning a visit, the Land Council points visitors to the Groote Eylandt Lodge.

Angurugu and Umbakumba

Angurugu is on the banks of the Angurugu River on the mid-west coast of Groote Eylandt, and Umbakumba is some 65 km from Alyangula by road, the Land Council says. It lists a school, a clinic, a supermarket, an art centre and a cultural centre among the services in each, and says the Groote Archipelago Regional Council services the communities.

The island's landscape

Groote Eylandt was named by the explorer Abel Tasman. The Land Council describes beaches, spring water swimming holes, open woodland, rainforest, red sand dunes and rock art which is thousands of years old. Its recreation page says the archipelago attracts fishermen, photographers and nature lovers.

Commonwealth aviation security rules

Commonwealth screening rule for air services

The Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre (CISC) says an air service that operates open charter or a regular public transport operation must be aviation security screened if it:

• uses aircraft with a seating capacity of 40 or more persons
• operates from an Australian designated, tier 1 or tier 2 security controlled airport
• uses any aircraft departing from the same apron as a screened air service operating at a designated airport

Home Affairs liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions

The Department of Home Affairs applies its liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions in these situations:

• when departing Australia
• when transiting through Australia from one country to another
• when travelling on the domestic leg of a flight departing from an Australian international terminal
• prior to boarding an inbound flight at its last point of departure before it reaches Australia

Where they apply, each container must be 100 mL or 100 g or less, and all containers must fit in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.

Questions about Groote Eylandt Airport

Do you need a permit to visit Groote Eylandt?

That depends on where you go, and two bodies speak to it. The Northern Territory Government says no entry permit is needed to directly access airstrips, landing places, main access roads into major communities and public areas within communities on Aboriginal land, and that members of the public should contact a land council to check if they need entry or any other permits.

The Anindilyakwa Land Council says visitors do not need a permit to visit Angurugu, Umbakumba or Milyakburra, which are on Commonwealth leases. It requires a Recreation Permit for its designated recreation areas and a Special Access Permit for other Aboriginal land.

Can you drink alcohol on Groote Eylandt?

The Northern Territory Government's Groote Eylandt page says that with a liquor permit, tourists can buy takeaway alcohol, drink at a private residence and drink at the town's clubs in Alyangula. Outside Alyangula, it says, you cannot drink even with a permit. The Land Council's liquor permit page says that, as a condition of your permit and at the Traditional Owners' specific request, no alcohol or drugs are to be brought in or consumed in any of the recreation areas.

Who runs Groote Eylandt Airport?

Airservices Australia's aerodrome entry, issued on 3 September 2026, names Groote Eylandt Mining Co., of Alyangula, as the aerodrome operator.

Does Groote Eylandt observe daylight saving?

No. The Northern Territory does not observe daylight saving, and neither do Queensland or Western Australia. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory do.