Wild Frontiers of Northern Australia

9 nights exploring the rugged, remote and stunning Top End of Australia

9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS

FOR TRAVEL
1 APRIL 2011 ~ 31 MARCH 2012 
 

 Summary Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive into Kununurra (Flight TBA, not included in costs)

Charter flight from Kununurra to Faraway Bay (included in costs)

Private transfer to camp

 

Faraway Bay

Duration: 3 nights

Room Type: En suite

Includes: all activities & use of all facilities (guide, fishing trips & 13 metre cruise boat), meals, wine, beer, soft drinks plus transfer from Faraway Bay airstrip to The Bush Camp at Faraway Bay

Day 2 & 3

Days at leisure at Faraway Bay

Faraway Bay

Day 4

Private transfer to the Airstrip

Private charter flight from Faraway Bay to Bullo River Station (included in costs)

 

Bullo River Station

Duration: 3 nights

Room Type: Homestead Guestroom

Includes: All meals, scheduled activities including fishing, station activities- cattle related activity, gorge cruise, tours of Aboriginal Art sites, daily guiding etc; limited alcohol with meals (beer & wine)

Included is also a one hour of scenic helicopter flying

Day 5 & 6

Scheduled activities at Bullo River Station

Bullo River Station

Day 7

Private charter flight from Bullo River Station to Bamurru Plains (included in costs)

Transfer to Camp in lodge vehicle.

 

Bamurru Plains

Duration: 3 nights

Room Type: Safari Bungalows

Includes: All meals, beverages (based on a select open bar) and scheduled activities (4WD, river trips, airboat trips, daily guiding)

Includes a 30 minute scenic helicopter flight

Day 8 & 9

 Scheduled activities at Bamurru Plains

Bamurru Plains

Day 10

Transfer to Bamurru Plains Airstrip for your charter flight from Bamurru Plains to Darwin (included in costs)

Transfer from General Aviation Terminal to International Terminal in Charter flight company vehicle (shared)

Depart Darwin (Flight TBA, not included in costs)

  

Itinerary Costing

Based on 2 adults travelling and sharing one twin or double room - AU$11,900 per person

Based on 4 adults travelling and sharing two twin or double rooms -

AU$10,000 per person

Based on travel between 01 April 2011 and 31 October 2012

Faraway Bay is closed from November to March inclusive

Bamurru Plains is closed from 1st November 2011 to 31st  January 2012

 

Itinerary Includes

  • Accommodation on a twin/double share basis
  • Charter flight- Darwin / Faraway Bay / Bullo River Station / Bamurru Plains / Darwin
  • Touring, transfers, and meals as detailed in above itinerary summary
  • Includes 10% GST

Exclusions

  • Scheduled domestic & international flights
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • Meals & bar unless specified
  • Laundry, gratuities & items of a personal nature
  • Bamurru Plains surcharges the use of air conditioning for environmental reasons.  Air conditioning is not included in the package.
Day 1 : Faraway Bay 
  • Arrive into Kununurra (Flight TBA, not included in costs)
  • Charter flight from Kununurra to Faraway Bay (included in costs)
  • Your charter flight will land at the Airstrip where a Faraway guide or host will collect you for the short transfer to The Bush Camp at Faraway Bay.
  • 3 nights at Faraway Bay is in an en-suite cabin including all meals, all activities & use of all facilities (guide, fishing trips & 13 ,etre cruise boat), wine, beer, soft drinks and transfer from / to the airstrip.

The Bush Camp lives up to its name and, nestled in a far corner of the Kimberley coast, Bruce and Robyn Ellison have made their home in one of Australia's remotest and wildest spots. Eagle Lodge, the camp gathering point, is an open fronted pavilion perched on the cliff top, from where dugongs, sharks and even crocodiles can be seen in the bay below. Watching the sun descent across the ocean as it sets aglow the red sandstone cliffs of the Kimberley coast is a memorable way to spend an evening. Even more spectacular is the experience of sitting at the foot of the King George Falls as they cascade hundreds of feet from the Kimberley into the salt-waters of the gorge below before heading out to sea. There are few places in the world where you will see mighty inland rivers come crashing out from the interior of a continent and into the sea as towering waterfalls- this is one of them.

Bruce is one of those larger than life bush characters, whose stories from fishing and hunting days ensure a lively conversation around the table at dinner. It is his knowledge of this coastline and the surrounding bush that makes Faraway Bay a particularly special experience. 

 

Day 2 & 3 : Faraway Bay

Days at leisure at Faraway Bay

Cruise along the Kimberley coast in Bruce's 13 metre boat, Diamond Lass, and head for a picnic lunch at the foot of the King George River. Enjoy pristine beaches and picnics at Monitor Pool, a magnificent plunge pool at the foot of imposing basalt and sandstone cliffs, and a refreshingly cool and safe place for swimming. There is time for fishing, discovering Aboriginal rock art, bird-watching, beachcombing and time for doing nothing at all.

Day 4 : Bullo River Station
  • Private transfer to the Airstrip
  • Private charter flight from Faraway Bay to Bullo River Station (included in costs)
  • Landing on the airstrip right in front of the homestead, wander across the verandah to meet your hosts and the crew at Bullo River Station.
  • Your 3 nights stay at Bullo River Station is in Homestead Guest rooms including all meals, beer & wine with meals, daily guiding and scheduled activities - station activities & tours of property, Aboriginal art site visits, fishing and a gorge cruise. Also included in one hour of helicopter flying time.

Bullo River Station is in north western corner of the Northern Territory near the Western Australian border. Bullo Station is encircled by the coffee coloured waters of the Victoria River and rugged hills inscribed with Aboriginal rock art, this vast property is not only home to around 9000 Brahman-cross cattle but a huge variety of local fauna species including wallabies, dingoes, wild buffalo, a myriad of native and migratory birds, fish and the omnipresent crocodile. The 'Boad' is Bullo's symbol and these proud trees dot the entire property lending their stature to what is already an impressive landscape.

 

At Bullo you will be the guests of Franz & Marlee Ranacher - their nearest neighbour is over 2 hours drive away, and their property encompasses half a million acres. So remote is this region that there are waterholes and Aboriginal art galleries that have remained unseen and untouched for hundreds of years.

Guest accommodation is comfortable and simple, all rooms have private en suites bathrooms, air-conditioning and ceiling fan and floor to ceiling windows so that you can wake up to the expanse of it all. Home cooked meals are prepared by the station cook and your own just-caught Barramundi is bound to be the best fish you will ever eat. Breakfast is often al fresco on the wide stone verandah, lunch might be a picnic, perhaps by some beautiful freshwater swimming hole and dinner is usually served in the main dining room. You are encouraged to make yourself at home in the large living rooms of the homestead and there is a small swimming pool for those hot afternoons. 

Day 5 & 6 : Bullo River Station

Scheduled activites at Bullo River Station

Franz, Marlee and the friendly station hands plan your stay to take into account the seasons and your interests, your time with them might include:

  • Taking part in the daily activities of a wotking cattle station such as bull catching or mustering 
  • Horse riding (some competency is required)
  • Boat cruises on the Bullo River Gorge
  • Helicopter flights to the outer edges of the station (additional cost)
  • Wildlife viewing - Wallaroos, wallabies, dingos, crocodiles and buffalo are all regular sightings
  • River and coastal fishing- Barramundi are almost guaranteed at Bullo!
  • Aboriginal art interpretation and viewing
  • Swimming in freshwater rock pools, picnics wahsed down with billy tea, you can even swag out (camp out) by a water hole if you are feeling very adventurous.   
Day 7 : Bamurru Plains
  • Private charter flight from Bullo River Station to Bamurru Plains (included in costs)
  • Transfer to Camp in lodge vehicle
  • Arriving into camp the Bamurru team will offer a refreshing drink before showing you to your safari bungalow.
  • Your 3 night stay is inclusive of airstrip transfers, all meals, drinks from the bar and scheduled activities - an airboat safari, guided walking, boating on the Sampan River and guided wildlife drives. Also included is a 30 minute scenic flight over the Flood Plains of the Top End

Bamurru Plains is an exclusive safari camp built on the edge of the Mary River floodplain only a short distance from Kakadu National park in the Top End of Australia.

Guest accommodation is in nine spacious and cool safari bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom and overlooking the surrounding wilderness. The central lounge area is the perfect place to relax, there is 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 beer, a chilled white wine or a soft drink.

Bamurru's chef prepares delicious meals which are shared around a communal table with your fellow travellers, hosts and guides. Lunch is often served on the deck, perhaps a BBQ, cooked as you refresh youeself in the swimming pool.

    

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 8 & 9 : Bamurru Plains 

A typical day at Bamurru may begin with an early morning coffee and muffin in the Main Lodge 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, s[potting crocodiles sunning themselves on the mud flats, Return to the camp in the evening and share dinner with your fellow travellers, guides and hosts.

 

Day 10 : Departure 
  • Transfer to Airstrip for your charter flight from Bamurru Plains to Darwin (included in costs)
  • Transfer from General Aviation Terminal to International Terminal in Charter flight company vehicle (shared)
  • Depart Darwin (Flight TBA, not included in costs)

                                    ***End of Arrangements***