Baines
NT 852 • Northern Territory
About Baines
Baines is an extraordinarily remote locality in the Northern Territory's Victoria Daly Region, spanning approximately 23,443 square kilometres along the Territory's north-western frontier. The locality is bounded by the Western Australian border to the west and the Victoria River to the east, and lies around 421 kilometres south of Darwin and 114 kilometres north-east of Kununurra. With a population of 239 at the 2021 Census, Baines has a population density of less than 0.01 people per square kilometre, placing it among the most sparsely inhabited localities in Australia.
Baines encompasses vast pastoral leases and remote outback landscape, including the famous Bullo River Station — a renowned cattle property and eco-tourism destination near the Kimberley border. Around 65 per cent of dwellings in the locality are social housing, reflecting the significant Aboriginal community presence and remote nature of the area. Life in Baines is defined by its dramatic remoteness, the Victoria River's striking landscape, and a deep connection to Country and the pastoral traditions of the Northern Territory's far north-west.
Baines falls under postcode 852 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Katherine electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- No regular bus service — N/A N/A
Commute to Darwin CBD
🛣️ Victoria Highway provides the main road access; 4WD recommended for station tracks; Kununurra (WA) is 114 km west
Extremely remote; a 4WD vehicle is essential for all movement; no local services within the locality
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
-
Buntine Highway