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Tours/Darwin/Tiwi By Design Day Tour

Tiwi By Design Day Tour

4.5(181)Darwin9 hours
VIATOR4.6(59)TRIPADVISOR4.4(122)
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
+4 photos
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour
Tiwi By Design Day Tour

At a glance

Duration
9 hours
Price from
$332 / person
Location
Darwin, Australia
Rating
4.5 / 5 · 181 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 35
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
SeaLink Northern Territory
Meeting point
Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal, at the end of Marina Boulevard, Cullen Bay, Darwin.5 minutes drive from Darwin CBD, free all day parking in off-street carparks.

Description

Visit a traditional Aboriginal community on the Tiwi Islands, off the coast of Darwin. Accompanied by a local Tiwi guide, you'll learn about local history and Tiwi rituals by visiting all the places of interest. Share a traditional morning tea with Tiwi Islanders before taking an art workshop taught by Aboriginal artists. Tourism is limited on the island, making this a rare chance to visit this Aboriginal community that holds on tightly to its traditions.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Thu and Fri
Start times
7:30 AM
Season
Starts Apr 1, 2027
Adult (ages 15+)
$332
Child (ages 5–14)
$283
Infant (ages 0–4)
Free

Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.

Tour Options

SeaLink Tiwi Islands

Ferry

Itinerary

SeaLink Northern Territory
Admission included300 min

Servicing the Top end since 2013, SeaLink Northern Territory provides a safe, comfortable and reliable ferry service with state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans and friendly qualified crew. Built especially for remote locations, the SeaLink NT ferries are capable of beach landings, carrying large numbers of passengers in comfort, and are all equipped with kiosks, men, women and disabled toilets, air-conditioned cabins, and spacious outdoor decking.

Tiwi Design
Admission included120 min

After a rest and lunch in the shade, it’s time to re-visit Tiwi Design and participate in an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ screen printing workshop. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi design to print onto a take-home t-shirt, tea towel or fabric – a wonderful souvenir of your Tiwi visit.

What's included

Included
Local guide
WiFi on board
Lunch
Restroom on board
Not included
Food and drinks, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

4.5
181 reviews
5
131
4
27
3
7
2
6
1
10

How it compares in Darwin

  • No. 25 by number of reviews among 122 tours in Darwin
  • Starting price $332 is close to the typical $319 for tours of similar length in Darwin

Excurgo comparison of 122 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This is a walking tour, an easy stroll over short distances between the ferry landing, art centre and mission precinct. **Please note that the Bathurst Island Museum is closed until 2022, and is no longer included in this tour**
  • Covid Procedures: We have always had stringent and rigorous hygiene standards, cleaning procedures and health and safety practices. During this time, we have stepped our practices and procedures up even further. Where possible we have made additional hand sanitisers and cleaning stations available to our customers and employees to exercise good hand/hygiene practices. We have also placed hygiene communications in our vessels, vehicles, accommodation, food venues, shop fronts/counters/terminals from the relevant health authorities.
  • Dietary requirements: Please advise of any dietary requirements at the time of booking

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tiwi By Design Day Tour take?

Tiwi By Design Day Tour lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.

How much does Tiwi By Design Day Tour cost?

Prices start at $332 per person for this Darwin experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does Tiwi By Design Day Tour run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Thursdays and Fridays, starting at 7:30 AM.

How much does Tiwi By Design Day Tour cost for children?

Children aged 5–14 pay from $283, adults from $332. Infants go free.

Can I cancel Tiwi By Design Day Tour for free?

Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal, at the end of Marina Boulevard, Cullen Bay, Darwin. 5 minutes drive from Darwin CBD, free all day parking in off-street carparks. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.

What languages is Tiwi By Design Day Tour offered in?

The experience is available in EN.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 35 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Reviews(181)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

P
pennyrP6321BD
September 21, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A great day

We are really pleased we did this tour. We felt welcomed and loved our experience in the art centre, including screen printing. The lunch was good, including local specialties.

L
Lesley_C
September 19, 2026 · via Viator
This was an amazing...

This was an amazing experience. We knew nothing about the Tiwi culture and history and our guide, Trevor, explained it all very well. Loved being able to try screen printing and the girls guiding us were very patient. Lunch was delicious. The Museum was fascinating and not to be missed.

V
Victyr
September 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Tiwi Islands day tour

Great day, friendly guides and staff on island, very good value for money. A very enjoyable lunch with plenty to eat. Fabulous experience screen printing a shirt. A long boat ride but comfortable.

Operator response

Thank you for the review. It's good to hear the day stacked up on value, and that lunch and the screen-printing were highlights. Taking home a shirt you've printed yourself is one of the things guests tell us they remember most. You're right that it's a fair stretch of water each way, so we're pleased the crossing was a comfortable one. We'll pass your thanks on to the crew and to the team on island.

V
Vgreencan
September 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great Experience with Caring and Kind People

We had a great day on the Tiwi by Design tour. It was one of the highlights of our time in Darwin. The SeaLink staff deserve a special mention for the way they handled the trip back from Bathurst Island. The return journey became quite rough, and some passengers became very unwell with seasickness. We were genuinely impressed by how caring, patient and attentive the staff were towards our fellow travellers. They stayed calm, checked on people and did everything they could to make those who were sick feel as comfortable and reassured as possible. Their kindness and professionalism really stood out and is to be commended. A very special thank you to Trevor at Tiwi by Design. Trevor was warm, welcoming and knowledgeable about his home and the Art Centre. . The screen-printing was a great way to spend a morning and one of our favourite parts of the day. It was fascinating to see how the artwork is created and to have the opportunity to participate ourselves. We loved being able to take home something that we had made as a special reminder of our day. Lunch was a real treat and was absolutely delicious! Thank you to the teams at SeaLink and Tiwi by Design for such a wonderful day. We really enjoyed ourselves and felt so welcomed throughout the experience.

Operator response

Thank you for such a generous and detailed review. It's wonderful to hear the Tiwi by Design tour was a highlight of your time in Darwin. We particularly appreciate you mentioning the return crossing from Bathurst Island. Conditions can turn on us in the Arafura Sea, and while we can't always control the sea state, how our crew look after people in those moments is entirely within our control. Knowing they stayed calm, checked on passengers and made those who were unwell feel cared for is exactly what we hope for, and we'll be passing your comments on to the team directly. We'll also share your thanks with Trevor and the team at Tiwi by Design. The screen-printing and the chance to take home something you've made yourself are at the heart of what makes that day special, and it's a credit to the Art Centre that you felt so welcomed. Thank you again for taking the time to write this. We hope to see you back in the Territory.

C
CraigGuscott
September 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Informative and entertaining

Informative and entertaining. A great experience to visit a remote and beautiful island.

Operator response

Thank you for the kind words. We're really pleased the day struck the right balance of informative and entertaining, and that the island left an impression. Our team puts a lot into sharing this special part of the Territory, so your feedback means a lot. We hope to welcome you back on the water again sometime.

C
Companion609973
July 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Sorry I went.

I was incredibly disappointed with this tour. It started well going over on the Sealink, arrived at Bathurst Island to be told that the welcome ceremony wouldn't be held due to sorry business. Told that no staff were available because they all went to a funeral. Two staff did what they could with a third islander helping out with the screen printing. On leaving, one of the islanders said he would now have to go back to his community and explain why he did not attend the sorry business. I was just sorry my sister and I paid nearly $1000 to feel like I needed to apologize for being there. The organizers should have cancelled rather than going ahead and taking my hard-earned cash for a fairly poor experience. It could have been a great day but wasn't.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to write this, and I am sorry the day fell well short of what you booked. Sorry business matters a great deal in the Tiwi community, and where it falls on a tour day the visit would not normally go ahead. We were not aware of it before your group travelled. Had we known, we would have been in touch with you rather than running a reduced program. I am taking that up with our partners on the island so the arrangements on both sides are clearer. I am also sorry you were left feeling you had to apologise for being there. That is the opposite of what the day is meant to be, and neither you nor the people who hosted you should have been put in that position. Could you please contact me directly at etienne.raubenheimer@sealink.com.au so we can talk it through properly. Etienne Raubenheimer General Manager, SeaLink Northern Territory

H
helenstyan
July 24, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Informative adventure

A fabulous experience. The ferry trip was long but the island, the activities, the staff, the food and the information made a fabulous day. Daffy was friendly, entertaining and informative. All the staff were passionate and helpful. Lovely day.

Operator response

Thank you for such a kind review. It is great to hear the day came together the way it should and that you had such a good time. I will pass your comments on to Daffy, who will be pleased to read them, and to the rest of the team. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back sometime.

G
G4758SUtonim
June 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Tiwi design on Tshirt.

Well organised tour, embracing Tiwi culture and customs. Morning tea and scones were well received after the ferry trip across from Cullen Bay. After a walk to the local sights. Lunch before selecting our prints to print onto Tshirts. Memorable day out.

Operator response

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review, we're really glad to hear you had a memorable day on the Tiwi tour and enjoyed the culture, morning tea and printing your own shirt. Our team work closely with local Tiwi partners to make sure the day runs smoothly and that visitors get a genuine insight into Tiwi life, so it’s great to know that came through in your experience. Love your photos!

W
Wendy S
June 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A must do if you are up here.

We had a wonderful hot and sweaty day. The 2.5 hour ferry trip was long but worth it for the great day we had on the island. The people are all so lovely and welcoming. The activities and food were fantastic. I totally enjoyed my exhausting day. Just an fyi: don’t bother washing your hair before you go like I did because you will have to walk thru the smoking welcome ceremony! 😉

Operator response

Thank you so much, Wendy! What a wonderful review, and that hair tip is good advice! And are absolutely right, the smoking ceremony is one of the most meaningful parts of the day and a genuinely immersive welcome from the Tiwi people. We are so pleased the day delivered despite the heat. The Tiwi Islands have a way of doing that, a little exhausting, a lot unforgettable. The warmth of the community, the art and the culture really are something you cannot find anywhere else in Australia. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

C
charlot2510
June 12, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great day!!

After 2.5 hours of sailing, we arrived at Tiwi Islands. Along the way we even spotted a turtle. We were well received and participated in a smoking ceremony. Then there were scones and tea. We started with a short walk past the school, museum, workshop and church. Lunch was much better than expected. The highlight of the day was yet to come with making your own print. Everyone was very friendly, but Vivian was our favorite. Overall a super cool day and experience!

Operator response

Hoi, Thanks so much for sharing your experience of the Tiwi Islands with us. It’s wonderful to hear that the ferry trip, spotting a turtle, and your welcome and smoking ceremony all set the tone for a special day. We’re very pleased you enjoyed the walk around the community, including the school, museum, workshop and church, and that lunch was better than you expected. It’s especially good to know that creating your own print was the highlight, and that the friendliness of everyone you met, particularly Vivian, really stood out. Dank je wel for calling it a “supertoffe dag” and a great experience. We really appreciate your feedback and hope we can welcome you back to the Tiwi Islands again in the future. Tot ziens!

$332/ person
4.5(181)
Duration9 hours
LanguagesEN
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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