Tropical cyclone Nathan has made landfall in the Northern Territory as gale force winds lash the Arnhem Land coast.
The cyclone, which has intensified to a "high end" category 2, has started moving off the coast and onto land south of Nhulunbuy.
Gale force winds of up to 155km/h are expected to smash through Goulburn Island to Groote Eylandt, including Nhulunbuy and Gapuwiyak.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Adam Morgan says the cyclone's eye is about 20km offshore.
Coastal residents between Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy have been warned of a dangerous storm tide with damaging waves and dangerous flooding.
Nathan is expected to head back out to sea on Sunday night, making a last stop at Elcho Island, which was severely damaged by Cyclone Lam in late February.
It's then expected to weaken as it moves westward parallel to the Top End north coast on Monday.
The cyclone has been moving at 14km/h, approaching from the east after crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria from Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.
- AAP