Aussie asylum standoff ends

Northern Territory police have ended a seven-hour standoff by asylum seekers at a Darwin detention centre.

The large group sat in 30degC temperatures on the side of the Stuart Highway, pleading for authorities to re-examine their failed bids for refugee status.

Police circled in on the group, ending the standoff.

Assistant Police Commissioner Rob Kendrick said he was pleased with the way the incident had been resolved.

"They peacefully came into our custody," Mr Kendrick told reporters in Darwin.

Seventy-six asylum seekers were taken into police custody and are being held at the Darwin watchhouse as unlawful non-citizens.

A further five protesters, two of whom were suffering from heat exhaustion, were in the custody of immigration officials at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Meanwhile, the immigration department says an investigation is under way into how so many detainees managed to breach security measures, including two electric fences.

It's not yet clear whether police will press charges.

- AAP