About Costa's Arnhem Land Odyssey

Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory, is one of the last important wilderness areas on earth and it’s also one of Australia's last strongholds of traditional Yolngu (Aboriginal) culture.

Yirrkala School Garden

In 2009, a group of new classrooms were built at Yirrkala School. They were built under budget, so the leftover money was used to build 8 garden beds in front of the classrooms. The garden beds were completed in November 2009, but there was no money left to plant them out.

Yirrkala School garden update

The students from Yirrkala School sent in some photos of their newly planted garden beds so that Costa, along with the rest of us, can see how things have progressed since the TV show was recorded.

Dudunggurra Environmental Services Nursery, Yirrkala

Dudunggurra Environmental Services began its operations as a continuance of the former operations of Yirrkala Landcare. Dudunggurra’s cultural advisor, Banduk Marika, is on the National Landcare Council and Landcare still coordinate with them.

Cycad Ceremony

Dhalinybuy is a Homeland (small family-based settlement or outstation on traditional Yolngu clan land) in North East Arnhem Land, NT about 1.5 hours south west of Nhulunbuy.

Bush Massage

Gulumbu Yunupingu, a member of the Yolngu Gumatj clan, is a senior healing lady from North East Arnhem Land, NT. She was raised in Yirrkala, and currently lives at Ski Beach.

Yirrkala School Bush Walk

The students were taken on a bush walk excursion through bushland near the school to examine local bush food and bush medicine plants. The excursion was part of their lessons revolving around the Yolgnu season known as Rarranhdharr.

Dhalinybuy Community Garden

Dhalinybuy is a Homeland (small family-based settlement or outstation on traditional Yolngu clan land) in North East Arnhem Land, NT about 1.5 hours south west of Nhulunbuy.

Cape Arnhem

Cape Arnhem, Wanuway or Manydjarrarrnga-Nanydjaka is the extreme eastern tip of Arnhem Land. A breathtakingly beautiful, pristine peninsula, it is a particularly important spiritual area for the Yolngu – there are at least 58 sacred sites in the vicinity.

Banana Farm, Yirrkala

The 20-acre banana farm in Yirrkala is run by Bruce and Alison Patterson. The land is leased from Bunuwal Industrial, a local Indigenous company owned by the Gumatj clan. It was first established in the early 1960s under the Methodist Mission Board. Bruce and Alison have been running it for about 20 years.