Northern Territories wilderness accommodation

This is an extraordinary wilderness experience on the coastal flood plains of the Mary River delta in the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory.

Situated just west of Kakadu National Park, this is an utterly exclusive bush camp that exudes ‘wild bush luxury’, bringing a touch of style to a remote and beautiful wilderness region.

The stone country of Arnhem Land and Kakadu is a short distance away providing an insight to the region’s Aboriginal heritage, which remains amongst the strongest in Australia.

The focus of your stay 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. Airboat tours: The floodplain wetlands of the Mary River catchment are the key natural feature of this area and 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. A morning trip out on the plains in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this environment.

Bird watching: The Mary River catchment is home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at the bush camp. 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. Even in the dry season the Swim Creek floodplain retains large areas of water where the birdlife congregates in vast numbers. The floodplains on the property still retain large areas of water to which the birdlife congregates in extraordinary numbers rarely seen elsewhere in Australia.

Wildlife viewing: The floodplains and neighbouring savannah woodlands host an immense variety of wildlife. Species that you might encounter include Agile Wallabies, Antilopine Wallaroos, Dingos, Estuarine Crocodiles, wild pigs and buffalo. Other species appear at night and include a variety of reptiles, possums, water monitors and other amphibians.

River cruises: The Sampan River, which forms the western boundary of the station, harbours one of the largest crocodile populations in the world. Cruising amongst the mangroves will also uncover a huge variety of birdlife.

Fishing: The Sampan River is a mecca for barramundi fishermen and specialist fishing guides can be arranged for your stay. While Barramundi are the real target, offshore reefs provide one of the best spots in the country for Jewfish.

4WD safaris: With the recession of the waters from much of the floodplain in the dry season, the plains become accessible to 4WD vehicles and an afternoon out with one of the guides will provide a unique insight to this fragile yet very important environment. Our open top safari vehicles provide for the best possibly viewing and are equipped so that you can enjoy a cool drink and bite to eat while out on the property.

Aboriginal Culture: While the area does not provide sites of specific Aboriginal interest, the rock art galleries of Kakadu and Arnhem Land are only a short distance away and this provides an ideal base from which to visit Kakadu and yet return to an exclusive bush camp at the end of the day.

Kakadu National Park: Kakadu is only a short distance away and the best way to experience the national park is to take a flight to Cooinda or Jabiru and spend the day with a private guide exploring the rock art, waterfalls and escarpments of the stone country of Arnhem Land.

Station activities: Bamurru is located on Swim Creek Station, one of a handful of buffalo pastoral properties in this area, and when the muster is in full swing the sight of helicopters or ‘Mad Max-like’ bull catchers corralling these beasts into the yards is awe inspiring. As musters are conducted on an ad hoc basis, this is not a guaranteed activity. The spacious lodge building looks out on to a raised outdoor deck with a 10 metre wet edge swimming pool, outdoor fire pit and covered area for sitting out the heat of the day.

Inside the lodge building a secluded library area with comfortable leather armchairs and sofas blends into an open day area with rattan sofas and day beds and a dining area, all with views across the floodplains.

A self-service bar with a selection of beverages is available to guests throughout the day and the resident chef provides contemporary Australian cuisine with hints of bush food and native produce throughout.

With no telephones, TVs, CD players or the typical features of a hotel room to distract you, your focus turns to the surrounding environment. Our concept is simple - we have focused on key creature comforts, a supremely comfortable bed, 100% cotton linen, large soft bath towels, a high pressure shower and providing lots of space.

Meals in the lodge building are wholesome and innovative with a hint of native produce in many dishes. Your hosts will provide an informal level of attention that is only possible when you are one of a small number of guests. It is their knowledge of the area that brings the experience alive. With just 9 safari suites built amongst the savannah bush fringing the floodplains, the camp is exclusive and guests will not see other tourists on the property. Each safari suite is ensuite and raised on a timber platform, with space for sitting out the heat of day with a good book or watching the local wildlife. By air: 20 minutes flight by light aircraft from Darwin airport, or 20 minutes from Kakadu National Park.
By road: 3 hours drive from Darwin, 2 ½ hours from Jabiru (Kakadu National Park).