Daly River Airport (DVR)

Daly River Airport (YDMN) serves the indigenous community of Nauiyu in the Northern Territory, positioned on the banks of the Daly River 230 kilometers south of Darwin and 250 kilometers northwest of Katherine, featuring a sealed airstrip with runway 12/30 providing essential aviation access to this remote Aboriginal community of 16 different language groups. Originally established as a Jesuit Mission in 1885, Nauiyu operates as a peaceful community where traditional Malak Malak people maintain their ancestral connections alongside diverse Aboriginal groups including Ngangiwumirri, Marrithiel, Ngarinyman, and others who found refuge at this mission site. The airport facilitates charter flights and medical evacuation services for the community, with no scheduled commercial services but providing critical connectivity for emergency medical transport, government services, and essential supply deliveries to this remote location accessible by sealed road in most weather conditions. The facility supports the Nauiyu Council Office's 27 staff members (70% Indigenous) who manage community services including airstrip maintenance, aged care, childcare, waste management, and essential administrative functions for this culturally significant settlement. Operational services include medical evacuation capabilities, charter flight coordination, and support for visitors accessing the renowned Daly River barramundi fishing, considered among Australia's finest angling destinations. The airport serves as a vital link for this traditional community where 75% identify as Roman Catholic due to historical mission influence, enabling access to healthcare, education, government services, and cultural connections while preserving the indigenous heritage of the traditional Mulluk-Mulluk and Malak Malak peoples who have lived along these riverbanks for thousands of years in Australia's remote Northern Territory.