Dolphin Dreaming

Tiwi Country, Northern Territory

The Vernon Islands are located in the Northern Territory of Australia in the southern half of the Clarence Strait about 55 kilometres (34 mi) north-east of the Northern Territory capital of Darwin. The group consists of three islands - East Vernon Island, North West Vernon Island and South West Vernon Island. The islands are composed of coral and are each surrounded by a coral reef that is fully covered at high water.

The Vernon Islands are of cultural and spiritual significance to the following Australian aboriginal peoples – the Tiwi Islanders, the Larrakia and the Woolna. In particular, Tiwi Islanders believe that the Tiwi Islands and adjoining waters including the Clarence Strait were created by their ancestor, Mudunkala.

Historically, Tiwi Islanders used the island group for the hunting of dugong and turtles, and as a staging post for journeys to the mainland to “capture mainland women”

Please note that the dimensions listed on this website are for the overall print size - which excludes the frame and the matboard.