Ancient Culture and Wildlife in the Top End
4 nights in the Top End wilderness
4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
FOR TRAVEL
1 JULY 2011 ~ 31 MARCH 2012
Bamurru Plains is closed from 1 November to 31 January inclusive
Davidsons Camp is closed from 1 November to 28 February inclusive
Summary Itinerary
| Day One | Fly by charter flight in single engine Cessna from Darwin to Davidson's Camp 2 nights at Davidson Camp - deluxe cabin with en-suite |
| Day Two | Explore Arnhem Land with your guide |
| Day Three | Fly by charter flight in single engine Cessna from Davidson's Camp to Bamurru Plains 2 nights at Bamurru Plains - Safari Bungalow |
| Day Four |
Scheduled activities at Bamurru Plains |
| Day Five | Charter flight in single engine Cessna from Bamurru Plains to Darwin |
Itinerary Costing
AUD$5,200 per person based on two people travelling in twin
or double accommodation
AUD$4,350 per person based on four people travelling in
2 x twin or double rooms
Itinerary Includes
- 2 nights Davidson's Safari Camp – inclusive of all meals, all tours and activities and permits to enterArnhem Land
- 2 nights Bamurru Plains - all meals, drinks from the bar and all scheduled activities
- Charter flights - Darwin / Davidson's Camp / Bamurru Plains / Darwin
- Includes 10% GST
Exclusions
- Scheduled domestic & international flights
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Meals & bar unless specified
- Laundry, gratuities & items of a personal nature
- Optional touring from Bamurru Plains such as day trip to Kakadu National Park and scenic helicopter flights.
- Bamurru Plains surcharges the use of air conditioning for environmental reasons. Air conditioning is not included in the package.
Day 1 : fly Darwin to Davidson's Camp for 2 nights
- Depart Darwin Airport for your 60 minute flight to Davidson's Camp
- 2 nights, Davidson's Camp – inclusive of meals, tours and activities and and Arnhem Land permit
Arnhem Land remains one of Australia's least visited wilderness areas, its boundaries protected not only by the Arnhem Land escarpment and an inaccessible coastline but also by the fact that it was the one part of the country that was not truly settled by Europeans in the 19th century.
Max Davidson's buffalo hunting days are over, and these days he operates a true bush camp on the savannah near Mt Borradaile in Arnhem Land. This is one of Australia's last untouched wildernesses, it is Aboriginal land and the number of visitors is strictly limited. Max has spent much of his life in the area and his intimate relationships with the local owners enables his guests to experience a pristine wilderness and an ancient culture.
Accommodation is in 12 cabins and 10 tents, spread through a bush clearing. The Deluxe Cabins have ensuite bathrooms, screen walls and a ceiling fan to stir the breeze, a small deck and are simply but comfortably furnished. Central to the camp is the iron-roof living and dining area, where guests gather in the evening. The outdoor decking around the pool is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy the many interesting books available in the library. The camp has an extensive wine cellar and a large range of beers, soft drinks and spirits for purchase at the bar. Designed as a wilderness camp, the facilities are simple and the rewards are ultimately in the pristine natural environment.
"The Mount Borradaile region contains some of the most stunning rock paintings, not just in Australia but in the whole world" Josephine Flood, Archaeologist.
Day 2 : at Davidson's Camp
The camp guides love to show you this magnificent area and around the camp -
- Visit rock shelters with stunning rock art that spans thousands of years that give you insights into the aboriginal way of life from this region
- Discover galleries of aboriginal rock art that show stories from more recent times of aboriginal contact with other cultures
- Wander through various occupation and burial sites and view a range of artefacts from when these sites were still in use
- Observe the variety of techniques used in the rock paintings as the styles changed over the thousands of years of occupation and story telling
- Walk through savannah woodland, the local supermarket and find plenty of local bush tucker
- Try your hand at barramundi fishing in the pristine cooper creek, the wet season waterfall is fantastic
- Take a dip in the pristine natural swimming hole (seasonal) or relax poolside back at the camp
- Walk through the incredible catacombs that display signs of recent occupation and ancient mortuary rites
- Spend a late afternoon on the billabong observing the wildlife including up to 275 bird species and both estuarine and freshwater crocodiles
- Walk up one of the many escarpments to find spectacular stone arrangements and art filled occupation sites
- Explore the rainforest areas and discover a completely different ecosystem with a distinct array of plants and animals
Mt Borradaile's greatest attraction and Max's real passion is the Aboriginal art that adorns many of the caves in the sandstone country. Sitting in a rock art gallery and staring up at the colours and shapes that have been painted over the centuries, while around you lies the evidence of thousands of years of Aboriginal occupation, is an encounter that opens your mind to the depth of history and culture that often lies hidden in modern Australia.
Day 3 : fly from Davidson's to Bamurru Plains for 2 nights
- Depart from the Airstrip by charter flight from Davidson's to Bamurru Plains, a flight of 30 minutes
- Arrival transfer from Bamurru’s Airstrip to the Lodge will take about 15 minutes
- Your 2 night stay is inclusive of airstrip transfers all meals, beverages and activities
Bamurru Plains is an exclusive safari camp built on the edge of the Mary River floodplains only a short distance from Kakadu National Park in the Top End of Australia.
Guest accommodation is in three spacious and cool safari bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom and a private deck overlooking the surrounding wilderness. The lounge area is the perfect place to relax, with a well stocked library offering a collection of reference books. Likewise, the bar is well stocked, and at anytime of the day you may help yourself to a cold drink. Bamurru’s chef prepares delicious meals which are shared around the dining table with your fellow travellers, hosts and guides. Lunch is often served on the deck, perhaps a BBQ, cooked as you cool off in the swimming pool after a morning’s wildlife viewing.
This area is known for its wildlife and wallabies, dingoes, brumbies, buffalo and goannas all make regular appearances, however it is the prolific birdlife that makes this area a unique nature attraction.
Day 4 : at Bamurru Plains
This area is known for its wildlife and wallabies, dingoes, brumbies, buffalo and goannas all make regular appearances, however it is the prolific birdlife that makes this area a unique nature attraction.
A typical day at Bamurru may begin with an early morning coffee and muffin being delivered to your room as the sun rises. Climb aboard the airboats for an excursion across the flood plains, spotting crocodiles and startling the Magpie Geese into flight. Stopping in a quiet lagoon, shaded by paperbark trees and surrounded by lilies enjoy morning tea before returning to camp as the sun heats the day.
Now there is time for a siesta, a swim, to read a book or quiz your guide for more information on this remarkable place. Lunch is followed by an afternoon activity, perhaps a guided walk or a gentle cruise down the Sampan River, spotting crocodiles sunning themselves on the mud flats. Return to the camp in the evening and share dinner with your fellow travellers, guides and hosts.
In addition to the included activities Bamurru Plains can arrange scenic helicopter flights, specialist fishing guides and day trips to Kakadu National Park and Aboriginal Arnhem Land (these are at additional cost).
Day 5 : safari ends
Transfer to Bamurru Plains' Airstrip for your charter flight to Darwin.