A directory of belonging
Places where community is built into where you live — not another club to visit, but somewhere the people around you are part of daily life. Monasteries that welcome guests, cohousing, co-ops, ecovillages, seniors villages, and neighbourhoods that actually function. Start where you are.
Compiled with AI, checked by nobody yet. These are starting points, gathered for Northern Territory — real places as far as we know, but details change. Verify with a phone call before you set your heart or drive across the state.
AHL provides safe, comfortable, and affordable accommodation for Indigenous Australians, supporting community members who are away from home for various reasons. These hostels foster a supportive environment for residents.
Visit website →This accommodation provides a supportive living environment for Indigenous students pursuing higher education. It fosters a strong sense of community and cultural connection among residents.
Visit website →This accommodation provides a vibrant, multicultural living environment for students, fostering a strong sense of community through shared spaces and organised activities. It offers convenient access to campus facilities and a supportive atmosphere for academic and social growth.
Visit website →Numerous share houses exist across Darwin, offering affordable living and opportunities to connect with housemates. These informal coliving arrangements are a common way to build social networks in the city.
This village offers a range of accommodation options, primarily catering to workers and short-term residents, fostering a transient but often social living environment. It provides shared facilities and a sense of community among its diverse residents.
While primarily for Australian Defence Force personnel and their families, Larrakeyah Barracks offers a unique community living experience. Residents benefit from shared facilities and a strong support network inherent in defence housing.
Visit website →Adelaide River is a small rural township with a strong local identity, often serving as a stop for travellers and home to a tight-knit group of residents. The community gathers for local events and supports its unique heritage.
The Alice Springs Town Council actively promotes community engagement through various programs and events across its suburbs. Residents can connect through local initiatives, parks, and community facilities.
Visit website →Amoonguna is an Aboriginal community located just south of Alice Springs, known for its strong cultural heritage and community-led initiatives. Residents actively participate in local governance and cultural programs, fostering a close-knit environment.
Angurugu is a significant Aboriginal community on Groote Eylandt, home to the Anindilyakwa people. The community is deeply connected to its traditional lands and sea country, with cultural practices central to daily life.
Bagot Community is an Aboriginal community located within the Darwin urban area, offering housing and essential services to its residents. It plays a vital role in preserving Indigenous culture and supporting its members.
Belyuen is an Aboriginal community located on the Cox Peninsula, offering a close-knit living environment with strong cultural ties. The community manages its own local services and programs, fostering a supportive atmosphere for its residents.
Known for its spacious rural properties and natural attractions, Berry Springs fosters a close-knit community among residents who value a relaxed lifestyle. Local markets, recreational parks, and community groups contribute to its strong local identity.
The City of Darwin operates several community centres (e.g., Nightcliff, Jingili, Wulagi) that serve as focal points for local neighbourhoods. These centres offer programs, events, and spaces for residents to connect and build community.
Visit website →Coolalinga Village is a growing rural-residential area that maintains a strong sense of local community, supported by local shops and services. It provides a relaxed country lifestyle while still being within easy reach of Darwin and Palmerston.
This small rural locality offers a quiet, community-focused lifestyle, appealing to those seeking a peaceful environment away from urban centres. Residents often participate in local events and support small businesses, fostering a friendly atmosphere.
Durack Heights is a modern residential development designed with community in mind, featuring parks, shared spaces, and a focus on family living. It offers a contemporary suburban lifestyle with convenient access to amenities and a strong neighbourhood feel.
This encompasses various remote Aboriginal communities within the East Arnhem region, each with unique cultural practices and strong traditional governance. These communities are deeply connected through kinship, land, and shared cultural heritage.
Visit website →Elliott is a small township situated on the Stuart Highway, providing a vital stopover and community hub for residents and travellers in the Barkly region. The community is known for its friendly atmosphere and local services.
Visit website →Galiwin'ku is a large Aboriginal community located on Elcho Island, known for its strong Yolngu culture and traditional way of life. The community is self-governing and maintains deep cultural connections that define its social structure.
These are smaller, often family-based communities located on traditional lands surrounding the main Gunbalanya settlement. They offer a more secluded and culturally immersive living experience.
Gunbalanya, also known as Oenpelli, is a remote Aboriginal community in West Arnhem Land, famous for its rock art and vibrant art centre. The community is self-sufficient and culturally rich, providing a strong sense of belonging for its residents.
Hermannsburg, or Ntaria, is a historic Aboriginal community west of Alice Springs, known for its rich cultural heritage and the legacy of Albert Namatjira. The community offers a blend of traditional life and essential services.
Visit website →Hidden Valley is an Aboriginal town camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs, providing housing and community support for its residents. It is a significant cultural hub with a strong sense of community among its inhabitants.
The Howard Springs rural area is characterized by spacious properties and a close-knit community feel, where residents often participate in local events and support local businesses. It offers a tranquil lifestyle with a strong emphasis on community connection.
Humpty Doo is a semi-rural residential area known for its larger blocks and a strong local community spirit. Residents often engage in local events and support community initiatives, creating a close-knit neighbourhood feel.
Imanpa is a remote Aboriginal community situated south of Alice Springs, offering a unique desert living experience. The community is focused on maintaining traditional culture and provides essential services to its residents.
Jabiru is the main township within Kakadu National Park, serving as a service centre for the park and surrounding Aboriginal communities. Its unique location and shared connection to the park contribute to a distinct community identity.
Jingili boasts a welcoming neighbourhood with a community centre that hosts diverse activities and services. It's a place where residents can easily participate in local life and build connections with neighbours.
Visit website →Katherine is a vibrant regional hub with a close-knit community feel, supported by various local groups and events. It offers a blend of rural living with accessible community services and social opportunities.
Visit website →Lee Point is an emerging coastal community offering a blend of natural beauty and modern living, with plans for new housing and community facilities. Its proximity to the beach and natural reserves fosters an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.
Maningrida is a large remote Aboriginal community with a vibrant cultural life and strong community governance. It serves as a hub for surrounding outstations and offers various services to residents.
Maningrida's extensive network of outstations allows many Aboriginal people to live on their traditional lands, fostering strong community bonds and cultural preservation. These remote living arrangements support a lifestyle deeply connected to the land and its heritage.
Marthakal Homelands represent a network of Yolngu clan lands where traditional owners live on their ancestral country. These communities are deeply connected to land, culture, and family.
Visit website →These outstations are smaller residential clusters connected to the main Milikapiti community on Melville Island, providing a more intimate community setting. They allow residents to live closer to their ancestral lands and maintain traditional lifestyles.
Milikapiti, also known as Snake Bay, is a significant Aboriginal community on Melville Island, offering a unique cultural experience and strong community ties. Residents engage in traditional practices and enjoy the island's natural beauty.
Visit website →These outstations are smaller, dispersed living areas associated with the main Milikapiti community, providing a more traditional and secluded lifestyle. Residents maintain strong connections to their land and cultural practices within these remote settings.
Milikapiti is one of the main communities on Melville Island, part of the Tiwi Islands, known for its vibrant Indigenous culture and strong community ties. Residents engage in traditional activities and support each other in daily life.
Mutitjulu is an Aboriginal community located within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, offering a unique connection to the land and its traditional owners. Residents are deeply involved in cultural tourism and land management, preserving their heritage.
Nauiyu is an Aboriginal community known for its strong cultural heritage and close-knit social fabric. It offers a chance to live within a traditional community setting, participating in local life and cultural events.
Visit website →These are smaller, often family-based living areas associated with the main Nauiyu (Daly River) Community, offering a more dispersed community living option. Residents maintain close ties to the main community while living on their traditional lands.
Nhulunbuy is a planned township on the Gove Peninsula, originally established for mining operations, now a vibrant regional hub. It provides a comprehensive range of services and facilities, creating a strong sense of community among its residents.
Nightcliff is known for its strong community spirit, supported by an active community centre offering various programs and events. It's a suburb where residents often engage in local activities and connect through shared spaces.
Visit website →These modern apartments are situated in the heart of Palmerston, offering residents a connected urban lifestyle with easy access to shops, cafes, and community events. The design encourages interaction and a lively neighbourhood feel within a growing city hub.
The City of Palmerston supports community life through its various community centres and neighbourhood initiatives. These provide spaces and opportunities for residents to gather, participate, and foster local connections.
Visit website →Papunya is a historically significant Aboriginal community in the Western Desert, renowned as the birthplace of the Western Desert art movement. It maintains a strong cultural identity and provides a supportive environment for its residents.
Visit website →Pine Creek is a small historic town with a close-knit community, known for its gold mining heritage and natural beauty. Residents actively participate in local events and maintain a strong sense of belonging.
Pirlangimpi, or Garden Point, is another prominent Aboriginal community on Melville Island, known for its vibrant arts scene and strong cultural heritage. The community fosters a supportive environment for its members.
Visit website →Similar to Milikapiti, Pirlangimpi's outstations offer residents a chance to live closer to their ancestral lands in smaller, culturally significant groupings. These areas support a lifestyle deeply connected to the Tiwi culture and environment.
Similar to Milikapiti, these are smaller, dispersed living areas linked to the Pirlangimpi community on Melville Island, fostering a close-knit community feel. They offer residents the opportunity to live on their traditional country while accessing services from the main community.
Pirlangimpi, also known as Garden Point, is another significant community on Melville Island, celebrated for its art and cultural initiatives. The community fosters a strong sense of belonging through shared cultural heritage and activities.
Ramingining is a remote Aboriginal community known for its strong Yolngu culture and artistic traditions. The community is built around kinship ties and traditional practices.
The outstations linked to Ramingining offer residents opportunities for a more traditional and culturally immersive living experience away from the main community. These smaller settlements are crucial for maintaining Yolngu culture and connection to ancestral lands.
Santa Teresa, also known as Ltyentye Apurte, is an Aboriginal community with a rich history and strong Catholic mission influence. The community provides a range of services and programs, fostering a supportive environment for its residents.
Tennant Creek is a regional town with a diverse population and a strong sense of local identity. The community is active in various local initiatives and offers opportunities for engagement in a remote setting.
Visit website →Ti Tree is a small but vibrant community located in the Anmatjere Ward, serving as a service hub for surrounding pastoral leases and Aboriginal communities. It offers essential services and a close-knit atmosphere for its residents.
Visit website →The Tiwi Islands are home to a vibrant Indigenous community with strong cultural ties and community-led initiatives. Visitors and those seeking to engage deeply with Indigenous culture can find opportunities for connection and shared living experiences.
Visit website →Umbakumba is an Anindilyakwa community on Groote Eylandt with a rich cultural heritage and strong ties to the land and sea. The community maintains traditional practices and a close-knit social structure.
Wadeye, also known as Port Keats, is a large remote Aboriginal community in the Daly River region, home to the Murrinh-Patha people. It is one of Australia's largest remote Indigenous communities with a rich cultural heritage and strong community governance.
The outstations surrounding Wadeye provide options for residents to live in smaller, more traditional settings away from the main township. These areas are vital for maintaining cultural practices and connection to country for the local Aboriginal people.
Wallace Rockhole is an Aboriginal community known for its stunning natural surroundings and vibrant local culture. It offers a peaceful, community-oriented lifestyle with a focus on land management and cultural preservation.
Warruwi is an Indigenous community located on South Goulburn Island, offering a unique island living experience deeply connected to traditional culture. The community maintains strong social bonds and cultural practices.
Comprising several remote Aboriginal communities, this region is characterised by its rich Indigenous culture and strong community ties. Residents share a deep connection to their ancestral lands and maintain traditional ways of life.
Visit website →Woolaning Homeland is a remote Aboriginal community situated southwest of Darwin, providing a traditional living environment for its residents. The community is focused on maintaining cultural practices and connection to country.
Wulagi is a family-friendly suburb with a community centre that acts as a hub for local residents. It provides a welcoming environment for people to meet, participate in activities, and strengthen neighbourhood bonds.
Visit website →Yarralin is a remote Aboriginal community where traditional culture and community life are central. It provides an immersive experience for those looking to connect with Indigenous Australians and contribute to local initiatives.
Visit website →Yulara is a purpose-built village primarily serving the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, offering housing and amenities for residents working in the tourism industry. It fosters a close-knit community due to its remote location and shared purpose.
Zuccoli Aspire is a master-planned community known for its family-friendly environment, green spaces, and community events. Residents benefit from a well-designed layout that encourages interaction and a vibrant local atmosphere.
Providing independent living for older adults, this village encourages a vibrant community through shared spaces and organised social events. It's a place where seniors can find companionship and support.
This village offers independent living units for seniors, fostering a supportive and active community environment. Residents enjoy shared facilities and social activities designed to promote connection and well-being.
The other path
If your state's list is thin, that's not a dead end; it's the reason this project exists. Three friends on one street is already a community. The guide walks you through the whole path.
Start a community — the guide Create or join a group Register your interestBrowse by state