Wetlands seasonal luxury experience
( Valid 1 March to 31 March 2023, subject to availability )
Bamurru Plains & Kakadu National Park
Day One:
This morning your guide will collect from your accommodation (9.00) before we begin making our way south for a short time on the Stuart Highway until we turn left onto the Arnhem Highway which leads to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Our first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve, Fogg Dam has year round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of both water birds and other animals.
We then head onto Bamurru Plains which is an exclusive wildlife experience on the magnificent Mary River floodplains. Located on Swim Creek Station, this safari-style camp is surrounded by savannah woodland teeming with an amazing assortment of wildlife, reptiles and birds. The camp boasts of comfortable free-standing rooms that are spacious and expose guests to the sounds of the floodplains, a dining area with commanding views across the vast wetlands, a 10 metre wet edge pool and a library. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is in the environment around you and the wildlife and birdlife for whom it is home. Each individual safari suite is designed to blend with the surrounding bush and as such exposes guests to the sights and sounds of the bush around you, whether it is the haunting call of a Whistling Kite, the raucous cacophony from the Blue-winged Kookaburras as dawn breaks or the sound of a full grown buffalo splashing its way through the floodplains just a short distance from your bed. The morning chorus of tens of thousands of Magpie Geese, after whom the camp is named, is an experience in itself.
The Mary River catchments are home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. The significance of this particular property comes in the variety of habitat: black soil floodplains, paperbark swamps, savannah woodland, river mangroves and coastal beaches support an extraordinary diversity of birdlife.
You will experience a sunset over the floodplains while enjoying a glass of wine or beer.
Overnight: Bamurru Plains: (L, D)
Day Two:
This morning you shall head to Kakadu National Park (Early) to experience this very unique National Park. Your first stop will be Jabiru airport where you shall experience a 30 min Helicopter flight. (Private): East Alligator and Floodplains Tour
Take in the wonders of the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park including Mikinj Valley, East Alligator River and Magela Wetlands. First views of the Rock Archway will bring to life the ancient beauty of this land. Journey back in time as you follow the East Alligator River’s gorge into the Mekin Valley of Arnhemland. Learn about Australia’s oldest living culture as you hear stories of Indigenous traditions, history and dreamtime.Then onto Nourlangie Rock you’ll find some of the world’s oldest and impressive rock art, and spectacular views of the Arnhem Land escarpment.
Then onto Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) is one reason why Kakadu is World Heritage-listed for outstanding cultural values. This famous site, with its stunning rock paintings, documents life in the region from 20,000 years ago to the first contact with European explorers.
This 1.5 km walk invites you to take a visual journey through time to an outdoor cultural museum where paintings, shelters and artefacts present traditional ways of life from numerous epochs.
Along this walk you’ll find the renowned Anbangbang gallery and shelter along with the Kunwarddehwardde lookout. The lookout surveys the impressive Arnhem Land escarpment with its sandstone cliffs and expansive savanna woodlands.
For the traditional custodians of this area art (kunbim) is an expression of cultural identity and connection to the country. The act of painting is generally more important than the painting itself so many older paintings are covered by more recent works.
The main rock art site along this walk is the Anbangbang gallery and shelter. Here, and nearby, you’ll find a concentration of numerous artistic styles spanning various time periods that capture an array of subjects. See representations of creation beings, such as Namarrkon (lightning man), intriguing depictions of European sailing ships from first contact with white people and x-ray art of animals and fish.
There’re many endemic species on this walk and you may encounter the chestnut-quilled rock pigeon or the black wallaroo (barrk).
On your way up to Kunwarddehwardde lookout take a moment to listen to the helmeted friar birds or try to spot the elusive spangled drongos while emerald doves and banded fruit-doves dart about the tree canopy.
Your last stop for today is at Cooinda – here we will experience one of Kakadu’s icons – a Yellow Water Cruise. Join us on a one and a half hour cruise on Kakadu’s most famous wetland,
located at the end of the Jim Jim Creek, Yellow Water is part of the South Alligator River system. This river system is unique as it is included in its entirity within a UNESCO World Heritage listed National Park.
The 10sq. km pristine environment supports a truly wonderful variety of plants, birds, crocodiles and Top End wildlife. The wildlife on this pristine billabong is too numerous to mention, you may see saltwater crocodiles, a Jacana bird walking on water, the magnificent sea eagle or any one of the many other 280 species that call this billabong home. Join us on a one and a half hour cruise on Kakadu’s most famous wetland, Yellow Water Billabong. (Not Private)
Then back to Bamurru Plains. (Back around 6.00-7.00)
Overnight: Bamurru Plains: (B, L, D)
Day Three:
A morning trip out on the plains in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this environment. The floodplains abound with waterfowl, wild buffalos and wallabies. The floodplains of the Mary River region form one of the most significant ecosystems in Australia. Dominated by the climatic extremes of the tropical monsoon, the wetlands and savannah woodlands that fringe the coastal regions between Darwin and Kakadu National Park harbour an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. The key natural features of this area are some of the most important in the country, home to thousands of Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling- Duck, Egrets, Ibis and a host of other birds.
After lunch you shall return to Darwin.
(B, L)
Inclusions:
– Luxury Toyota Air Conditioned GXL for 3 days with Dean or Leigh
– 2 Nights Bamurru Plains
– All actives at Bamurru Plains
– Kakadu National Park
– 30 min Helicopter flight (Kakadu & Arnhemland)
– Yellow Water Cruise
– Nourlangie Rock Art site
-Where Meals Marked (B, L, D)
– All fees
– Alcoholic Beverages
Not included:
– Personal requirements
5 Days:
Wetland seasonal Premium experience:
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
&
Bamurru Plain Safaris
Day One: March 2023
This morning Dean will collect from your accommodation (9.00) before we begin making our way south for a short time on the Stuart Highway until we turn left onto the Arnhem Highway which leads to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Our first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve, Fogg Dam has year round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of both water birds and other animals.
We then head onto Bamurru Plains which is an exclusive wildlife experience on the magnificent Mary River floodplains. Located on Swim Creek Station, this safari-style camp is surrounded by savannah woodland teeming with an amazing assortment of wildlife, reptiles and birds. The camp boasts of comfortable free-standing rooms that are spacious and expose guests to the sounds of the floodplains, a dining area with commanding views across the vast wetlands, a 10 metre wet edge pool and a library. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is in the environment around you and the wildlife and birdlife for whom it is home. Each individual safari suite is designed to blend with the surrounding bush and as such exposes guests to the sights and sounds of the bush around you, whether it is the haunting call of a Whistling Kite, the raucous cacophony from the Blue-winged Kookaburras as dawn breaks or the sound of a full grown buffalo splashing its way through the floodplains just a short distance from your bed. The morning chorus of tens of thousands of Magpie Geese, after whom the camp is named, is an experience in itself.
The Mary River catchments are home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. The significance of this particular property comes in the variety of habitat: black soil floodplains, paperbark swamps, savannah woodland, river mangroves and coastal beaches support an extraordinary diversity of birdlife.
Overnight: Bamurru Plains: (L, D)
Day Two:
A morning trip out on the plains in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this environment. While we are at the camp we shall enjoy a variety of activities. The floodplains abound with waterfowl, wild buffalos and wallabies. The floodplains of the Mary River region form one of the most significant ecosystems in Australia. Dominated by the climatic extremes of the tropical monsoon, the wetlands and savannah woodlands that fringe the coastal regions between Darwin and Kakadu National Park harbour an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. The key natural features of this area are some of the most important in the country, home to thousands of Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling- Duck, Egrets, Ibis and a host of other birds.
Overnight: Bamurru Plains: (B, L, D)
Day Three:
This morning you shall enjoy another airboat trip on these amazing flood plains.
Then lunch head to Swim Creek air strip for your private flight to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris Camp.At this time of the year it’s the only way in & out of Arnhemland is by air.
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris is situated in the North-West corner of Arnhemland and adjacent to Kakadu National Park and Coburg Peninsula in Australia’s Northern Territory lies a vast subtropical savannah that has been described as a national treasure trove depicting ancient human occupation, and a pristine wilderness area hosting myriad ecosystems and wildlife inhabitants. The camp is fully licensed and has a wide selection of wines, spirits and beer. The facilities are situated in a natural bush setting, the centre of the infrastructure of the lodge is a new and tastefully furnished communal area encompassing a dining, lounge, bar, library, internet area and a large outdoor deck area for alfresco dining, all overlooking the sandstone paved pool.
Overnight: Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris (B, L, D)
Day Four:
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris at Mt Borradaile is a registered aboriginal sacred site in a remote 700 sq-km, exclusively leased area nestled against the Arnhemland escarpment. This is a landscape of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs, floodplains, paperbark swamps and monsoonal rainforests, an amazingly beautiful wilderness. Valleys, overhangs and caves have been occupied for over 50,000 years and offer magnificent galleries of rock art as well as occupation and burial sites. While at Davidson’s we shall enjoy a range of activities and attractions, from fishing, Aboriginal Art, a billabong cruise to the unique landscape.
Overnight: Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris (B, L, D)
Day Five:
We shall enjoy this area this morning and then after lunch head back to Darwin on your private flight.
Return to Darwin. (B, L)
Inclusions:
– Luxury Toyota Air Conditioned GXL for 5 days with experienced guide
– 2 Nights Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
– 2 Nights Bamurru Plains
– Flights
– All actives at both places
– Arnhem Land (Aboriginal Lands) entry permits
-Where Meals Marked (B, L, D)
– All fees
– Alcoholic Beverages
Not included:
– Personal requirements
