Bamurru Plains Mary River
Location: Northern Territory | Kakadu
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Bamurru Plains is located on Swim Creek Station, a 303 sq km coastal buffalo pastoral property near Point Stuart in the Mary River Region. The property encompasses a variety of habitat including vast river frontage, coastal floodplains, savannah woodland, and paperbark swamps. The station is 10 kms from Kakadu National Park's western boundary (100kms from Jabiru in Kakadu) and just over 100 kms east of Darwin. Access to the property By Air: Charter flights (not included in price) to Bamurru Plains leave from the General Aviation area of Darwin Airport. This is approx. 750 yards from the domestic and international terminals so a transfer is required. The 20 minute charter flight from Darwin covers some of the most spectacular wetlands in the world and lands at Swim Creek Station Airstrip, It is then a 20 minute transfer by road to Camp (this is included in all our bookings). The largest aircraft that can access the Airstrip at Swim Creek (Bamurru Plains) is a Cessna 210 (single engine) or 310 (twin engine), which has the capacity to carry 5 passengers or 420 kgs. For larger groups a Cessna Caravan can be used with a maximum capacity of 8 passengers. By Road: Bamurru Plains is a 3 hour drive from Darwin (the first hour and three quarters is on sealed tarmac road, the last hour and a quarter are on unsealed public and station roads). The drive from Jabiru in Kakadu National Park will take 2˝ hours, again part unsealed roads. Self-drivers are required to leave their vehicles at the entrance to the property, where they will be met by staff from camp. This is because a) they will probably get lost trying to find the camp and b) it is a private property and there is no vehicle access for members of the public. This also ensures exclusivity at the camp. When to go/Climate The Top End is dominated by a tropical monsoonal weather pattern that results in a number of distinct seasons. April to July – the early part of the 'Dry' Nights can be cool and early morning fogs common. The days are warm, dry and generally cloudless with some spectacular sunsets. From April the water begins to slowly recede from the floodplains. August to September – late part of the 'Dry' Days and nights start to warm up. The retreating waters concentrate in billabongs together with the birdlife which congregates in extraordinary numbers. Many tropical woodland plants flower at this time of year. October to December – build up to the 'Wet' This is a time of increasing humidity and heat, with the build up of massive cumulus clouds and exciting thunder and lightning shows. Early rains start to turn the country green. January to March – the main part of the 'Wet' The arrival of the full monsoon brings heavy rains and high tides. The rivers break their banks and spread out across the floodplains, water lilies flower and life returns to the country in all its majesty. The 'run off' is the best time of year for Barramundi fishing. * Bamurru Plains is closed from 1st November to 31st January during the early months of the wet season when weather conditions are particularly humid. Accommodation - 'Wild Bush Luxury' A style of accommodation more akin to some of the safari camps in Africa, Bamurru Plains' attraction lies in the birdlife and wildlife of the surrounding floodplains and savannah woodland. As with the African camps we believe that a stylish wilderness experience does not need to be 5 star in the traditional sense; however there are key elements that are crucial to an exclusive stay in the bush: a supremely comfortable bed and quality linen (100% cotton, a choice of 3 pillows), great bathrooms, good food & wine and excellent guiding. Bamurru does not purport to be a 5 star room in the bush but the style of experience is utterly exclusive, rustically chic and totally in tune with the surrounding country. Rooms The camp has nine safari bungalows built amongst the pandanus vegetation on the edge of the wetlands. Each of them has been built with privacy uppermost in mind and to take advantage of the spectacular views across the wetlands. Each bedroom has a screened balcony with views towards the floodplains. Rooms are available in twin and king double configurations and extra bedding is available in the form of a deluxe swag. En suite bathrooms wrap around one side and/or the rear of each safari bungalow with high pressure showers and hot water. All rooms have ceiling fans for the dry months of winter (April to October) and air conditioning can be provided in 3 rooms during the wet season months. As most of the power is solar generated, air-conditioning requires additional generator capacity and a surcharge applies. *Please note that Bamurru Plains is a 'camp' and as such exposes guests to the sights and sounds of the bush around them. In keeping with this, the safari bungalows do not have televisions, CD players, mini-bars, telephones, internet access. Hair dryers are available on request. Lodge Building The focal point for dining and gathering with other guests, the lodge building has a quieter library area with reference books and some privacy from the more communal areas in the rest of the building, which includes the dining area. The front deck features a BBQ firepit area, a wet edge swimming pool with views across the floodplains and a covered lounge area for sitting out the heat in the middle of the day. Dining Given the normally early start to be out at dawn for the wildlife, the first major meal of the day is in late morning (approx. 11 a.m.) on arrival back in camp. Snacks and drinks are also taken out on safari. A three course dinner (first course is often canapés on the front deck) is served at approximately 7:30 every evening and dinner is hosted by the camp manager or one of the guides. Meals are shared with other guests around the dining room table. Food is based on contemporary Australian cuisine with a hint of native produce. A select open bar (wines, beers, selected spirits and soft drinks) is included in the tariff and this is generally accessed on a self-service basis. Children The camp is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. This is partly acknowledging the small size of the camp; additionally there are several safety considerations. If the camp is booked exclusively and suitable supervision is arranged then children of any age will be permitted. What to bring
Hotel Facilities
Activities Activities focus on early morning and late afternoon when the wildlife and the light are at their best. During a 2 night stay at Bamurru Plains a guest would expect to participate in a number of included activities such as: a river cruise spotting birds and crocodiles on the Sampan River (season and tidal conditions permitting), four wheel drives in open top safari vehicles, an airboat trip on the floodplains and a bush walk in the savannah woodlands that fringe the floodplains. Activities available at extra cost include: fishing (barramundi), scenic helicopter flights, watching the seasonal buffalo muster on the floodplains or taking a day trip to Kakadu National Park. Fishing The best time is during the 'run off' in February/March. Bamurru is an excellent location for the dedicated fisherman seeking some comfort. Fishing is predominantly tidal salt-water fishing and requires a specialist fishing guide to be arranged (there is an additional cost). The main species to be fished here is Barramundi. Kakadu National Park & Arnhem Land A short flight makes the escarpment country of Kakadu an easy day trip from the camp and opens up a range of Aboriginal cultural sites. Jabiru is a 20 minute flight away and a private guide will be arranged for the day. Average length of stay The inclusive activities on the property are designed around a two night stay, which is also the minimum stay. A 3 night stay will allow time for a day trip to Arnhem Land or Kakadu and 4 nights will allow time to sit back and relax in and around the camp.  * Please contact Australia 5 Star's ground crew for further information, rates and advise on your personalised itinerary. |
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