Flinders actually called it "Bickerton's Island", and noted as follows in Voyage to Terra Australis II: "In passing the south side of Bickerton's Island, we observed in it a deep bight or bay which would afford shelter in the north-west monsoon, if there be depth sufficient for a ship; and the hills at the back being high and woody, there was a probability of its receiving a stream of fresh water.

It is located on the eastern side of South Bay, beside Bickerton Island Airport.

The Milyakburra Community Council was incorporated in 1983 and funded to provide some local government services.

[2] Since 1 July 2008, the local government for Bickerton Island is the East Arnhem Region.

The landowners are represented by the Anindiyakwa Land Council in Angurugu on Groote Eylandt.