Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
goulburn islands
Goulburn Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.
Goulburn Islands
islands, Australia
Goulburn Islands, group of islands in the Arafura Sea off the northern coast of Arnhem Land in Northern Territory, northern Australia. They comprise South Goulburn Island (30 square miles [78 square km]), lying 2 miles (3 km) offshore across Macquarie Strait; North Goulburn Island (14 square miles [36 square km]), 10 miles (16 km) offshore; and some small sandy islets. Perhaps sighted in 1644 by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, they were named in 1818 by Captain Phillip Parker King after Henry Goulburn, then British under secretary of state for the colonies. Now part of Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve, the islands are under control of the traditional Aboriginal owners.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.