Gunbalanya
About
Also known as Oenpelli, Gunbalanya is a large remote town situated about 60km north east of Jabiru, across the East Alligator River in Arnhem Land. Gunbalanya has a population of around 1,200 and the main language spoken is Kunwinjku.
With the presence of Indigenous people in the region prior to his arrival, Paddy Cahill arrived and established a farm within the area in the early 1900s. A mission was later established in the 1920s.
The area around Gunbalanya is known as Stone Country, a name inspired by the spectacular Arnhem Land escarpment and rock formations that emerge from the floodplains surrounding the town.
The town has an arts centre, supermarket, service station and licensed community sports club. Gunbalanya Community School provides schooling from preschool to Year 12.
The main road link out of Gunbalanya to the Arnhem Highway is often closed during the wet season, when the East Alligator River becomes impassable. The town is, however, serviced by a tarmac airstrip.
Council Services
West Arnhem Regional Council provides a range of core local services in Gunbalanya, including sport, recreation and youth programs, employment programs, community safety, and community services.
Population
1,177 (2021 Census)
Location
300km east of Darwin and 60km north east of Jabiru across the East Alligator River in Arnhem Land.
Languages spoken
Kunwinjku, English.
Services
Gunbalanya is a major Aboriginal town in Arnhem Land, with a school (pre-school to Year 12), health clinic, service station and convenience store, supermarket, police station, crèche facilities, aged care, sports and social club, butcher and community arts centre.
Recreation
25-metre swimming pool, fishing, boating, hiking, arts and craft, sports ovals, youth centre and basketball facilities.
Access
Year-round via air charter from Jabiru Airport.
Dry season (May-Sept): Road access.
Wet season (Oct-Apr): The river crossing at Cahill’s Crossing, East Alligator River, is usually impassable.
Visitor Accommodation
West Arnhem Regional Council offers accommodation to contractors and other authorised visitors to West Arnhem communities in Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Minjilang and Warruwi.
Accommodation ranges from self contained cabins to single rooms with shared facilities to duplexes, and all are within the community limits and walking distance to most town facilities. View more accommodation information is available at the below link.
