Bathurst - Melville Island

Separated from the mainland by Clarence Strait, Bathurst Island was first charted in 1819 by Philip King, son of Governor King. Much of the coastline of Bathurst Island is deeply indented by mangrove-fringed swampy inlets.

Melville Island is separated from Bathurst Island by the narrow Aspley Strait.



Both islands experience the two-cycle tropical climate typical of the northern part of Australia, with an average rainvall of 1,600mm concentrated in the wet season (November to March), and a markedly dry period for the other months.