A remote cattle station, a camping safari and a stylish wildlife lodge

When: Available from February - October, cooler months are May – August

Where: Starts Darwin or Kununurra and ends in Darwin
2 nights Bullo River Station
2 nights Camping in Kakadu and Arnhem Land
2 nights Accommodated Bamurru Plains

Travel: Charter flights - Darwin / Bullo River / Katherine and Bamurru / Darwin

Ideal For: Couples, small groups and families with children aged over 10 years

ITINERARY:
Day 1: Fly Darwin to Bullo River Station for 2 nights (90 min flight)
2 nights, Bullo River Station - inclusive of meals, wine and beer with meals, station activities and one hour of helicopter flying.
As guests of Franz and Marlee Ranacher get to know life on a truly remote outback station. Bullo's nearest neighbour is over 2 hours' drive away, and the station encompasses half a million acres with 8,000 head of cattle. So remote is this region that there are waterholes and aboriginal art galleries that have remained unseen and untouched for hundreds of years. Each of the 12 guest rooms has an en suite bathroom. Meals are enjoyed in the dining room, al fresco on the terrace or you are welcome to join the station hands and family in the kitchen. 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.

Your stay is planned to suit your interests - you might wish to include cattle station touring, Aboriginal rock art viewing, horse riding, gorge cruises, wildlife spotting, fishing for Barramundi and picnics at remote freshwater swimming holes.

Day 2: at Bullo River Station
Your hosts, Franz and Marlee will plan your stay to suit your interests - you might wish to include cattle station touring, Aboriginal rock art viewing, horse riding, gorge cruises, wildlife spotting, fishing for Barramundi and picnics at remote freshwater swimming holes. The adventurous may even wish to take a swag and camp out by a remote swimming hole - The Cascades, only accessed by chopper, is our favourite spot for overnight camping!

Day 3: fly to Katherine, join guide for 2 nights comfortable camping
- Charter flight from Bullo to Katherine Airport
- 2 nights private camping safari
- Travel will be in a luxury Toyota GXL air conditioned vehicle.
- Camping gear includes swags, sheets, sleeping bags, pillow, tents, camp chairs, cooking equipment, tables, lamps/lights, torches, eskies etc
- Guide will prepare all the meals, and make sure the beer and wine is well chilled!
- At each campsite there is access to showers and toilets, these are shared with other campers, though basic they are kept clean. At times you will be able to swim in fresh water swimming holes.

Drive out to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge where the Jawoyn people invite you to visit their country and spend 2 hours cruising the mighty Katherine River that flows from the Arnhem Land escarpment to the sea. The mythical figure of 'Bula' travelled this land leaving his image as paintings in rock shelters. From here drive to Gunlom, was immortalised in the first 'Crocodile Dundee' movie, its white sandy beach and 120 metre cascading waterfall (runs until the end of July) is a great photo opportunity. A more challenging walk to the top of the waterfall is rewarded with a swim and the best view for miles around.

Day 4: on safari in Kakadu
Start the day with a cooling swim at Gunlom Falls, before driving north to Maguk - two of the Top Ends most pristine waterfalls. Finish the day with a spectacular sunset Yellow Water Cruise.

Day 5: a day in Arnhem Land ends at Bamurru Plains, 2 nights
- Day in Arnhem Land
- Afternoon drive to Bamurru Plains, about 2½ hours
- 2 nights Bamurru Plains - included are airstrip transfers all meals, beverages and activities.

Arnhem Land is perhaps the one area in Australia where indigenous culture is still dominant, despite a long history of interaction with other cultures, it remains a last frontier and homeland to around 20,000 people. Spend time with an Aboriginal guide viewing rock art and bush walking. At the Injalak Art and Craft Centre there is an opportunity to browse, watch the artisans at work and purchase goods from this non-profit Aboriginal organisation. The day will include billabongs, birds and the escarpment country.

In the evening reach Bamurru Plains for a 2 night stay. Bamurru is an exclusive safari camp built on the edge of the Mary River floodplains; guest accommodation is in nine 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.

Day 6: 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 and specialist fishing guide (these are at additional cost).

Day 7: Safari ends
Transfer to Bamurru Plains' Airstrip for your charter flight to Darwin.

RETURN TO LORD'S KAKADU AND ARNHEMLAND SAFARIS