Yirrkala is a small community located in the East Arnhem Region of Australia's Northern Territory. It is situated on the Gove Peninsula in Arnhem Land, approximately 18 kilometres southeast of the mining town of Nhulunbuy.
The community is notable for its history as a former mission, which was established as an Aboriginal reserve after being founded by Methodist missionaries in 1935. It is also significant for the Yirrkala bark petitions submitted to the Australian Parliament in 1963 by local residents.
These petitions requested consultation regarding land taken for mining purposes and represent a landmark moment in the history of native title and Indigenous land rights in Australia.