PM's NT accommodation to be a tent

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is no stranger to accommodation that boasts a few stars.

But this week, his digs will flaunt thousands.

A tent compound on the outskirts of Nhulunbuy will become the hub of the government, a world away from the comfort of parliament's plush offices and grand halls.

Rows of well-constructed green tents will be Mr Abbott's base for six days, as he and his ministers take government functions to the top end.

The temporary tent village took Australian Army personnel three days to construct and has the luxury of running water and toilets - albeit in tin sheds.

But the sleeping situation is true to outback camping, with small one man tents sitting side by side, inside a larger Green canvas one.

The campsite is on Yolngu ceremonial ground, the same site that hosts the annual Garma Festival, which Mr Abbott was invited to by Galarrwuy Yunupingu.

It could also be the site of some top secret discussions after Mr Abbott announced the deployment of troops to Iraq on Sunday, hours before his arrival in Arnhem Land.

He'll stay in close contact with Canberra officials over the coming week and will have access to secure communications to do so.

Mr Abbott will spend time in indigenous communities surrounding Nhulunbuy where he will visit a local cattle station, view conservation work and meet school attendance officers.

He flies out of Arnhem Land on Friday.

Then he's off to New York, where the accommodation will no doubt have a few more stars next to its name.