Tiwi Islands

Tiwi Islands
(Ratuati Irara)

Satellite image of the Tiwi Islands, Melville (top right) and Bathurst (left) with the Australian mainland (bottom right)
Tiwi Islands (Ratuati Irara) Show map of Northern Territory Tiwi Islands (Ratuati Irara) Show map of Australia
Geography
Location	Timor Sea
Coordinates	11°36′S 130°49′E / 11.600°S 130.817°E / -11.600; 130.817
Total islands	11
Major islands	Melville Island Bathurst Island
Area	8,320 km2 (3,210 sq mi)
Coastline	1,016 km (631.3 mi)
Administration
Australia
State or territory	Northern Territory
LGA	Tiwi Islands Region
Demographics
Population	2,348[1] (2021 census)
Languages	Tiwi
Ethnic groups	Tiwi
Additional information
Official website	www.tiwiislands.nt.gov.au
Flag of the Tiwi Islands (Tiwi: pantirra Ratuati Irara).

The Tiwi Islands (Tiwi: Ratuati Irara meaning "two islands") are part of the Northern Territory, Australia, 80 km (50 mi) to the north of Darwin adjoining the Timor Sea. They comprise Melville Island, Bathurst Island, and nine smaller uninhabited islands, with a combined area of 8,320 square kilometres (3,212 sq mi).

Inhabited before European settlement by the Tiwi, an Aboriginal Australian people, the islands' population was 2,348 at the 2021 census.^[1]

The Tiwi Land Council is one of four land councils in the Northern Territory. It is a representative body with statutory authority under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, and has responsibilities under the Native Title Act 1993 and the Pastoral Land Act 1992.