Bamurru Plains, a Wild Bush Luxury property in Australia's Top End, provides guests with an extraordinary wildlife experience on 300km2 of private land.
Located just to the west of Kakadu National Park and known as Australia's answer to the Okavango Delta, Bamurru Plains allows up to 20 guests to enjoy exclusive access to miles of the Sampan River, the coast and the Mary River Floodplain system.
A profusion of bird and wildlife are on the doorstep of this unique bush camp and with only 10 safari-style bungalows, the focus of a stay at Bamurru is on the environment and the creatures for whom it is home.
Each safari bungalow overlooks the floodplain and with mesh walls on three sides guests hear, see and almost touch the
wildlife and wilderness around them, waking to the call of the magpie geese as the orange light of dawn spreads across the floodplains.
The range of guided experiences on offer (weather dependant) includes skimming across the floodplains by airboat, fishing, spotting crocs from the river boat and viewing the agile wallaby and buffalo on a open-top safaris.
Other signature experiences include a Treetop sleep out in The Hide.
A stay at Bamurru Plains is bound to inspire a greater awareness of Australia’s unique and specialised environment while the "Wild Bush Luxury" style ensures a truly comfortable stay.
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 team believes 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.
The camp has ten 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 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.
The largest safari bungalow is the Kingfisher Suite with expansive floodplain views through Bamurru's trademark ceiling to floor mesh walls.
It really does feel as if you are right amongst it with an intimate sense of connection to the wildlife and wilderness outside.
With 81m2 space in the bedroom alone, the suite features a king size bed, generous lounge area and space to accommodate a family of five in comfort.
For honeymooners looking for a sense of privacy, the size of the
Kingfisher Suite allows for an intimate in-room candlelit dinner with only the sounds of the bush as company.
The bathroom features twin basins and showers, within a décor of rustic chic timber and corrugated walls, utterly in tune with the environment and pastoral heritage of the area.
For maximum exposure (and only the local Agile Wallabies as company) the suite also offers a shower with full ceiling to floor views across the floodplain and surrounding paperbark forests.
Deluxe swags are provided for children.
Bamurru Plains, along with the sister Wild Bush Luxury property at Arkaba is SA are proud to be founding members of Luxury Lodges of Australia - a collection of independent luxury lodges and camps offering unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most inspiring and extraordinary locations.
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.
To observe the wildlife the hotel's team offers a light breakfast to start the day.
There is a selection of cereals, fruit, juices and freshly baked bread.
The first major meal is lunch served at approx. 12.30h.
Snacks and drinks are provided when out on activities.
A three course dinner (first course is often canapes on the front deck) is served at approximately 19.30h 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 and soft drinks) is included in the tariff and this is generally accessed on a self-service basis.
There will be a range of premium wines and spirits available for purchase.
The philosophy to provoke, inspire and reconnect guests to the bush is reflected in every aspect of your stay at Bamurru Plains, including your dining experience.
Incorporating native and locally sourced produce to provide a gourmet experience integrating authentic, yet contemporary Australian recipes, from kangarooo skewers to crispy barramundi with finger lime salsa and Quandong ice-cream.
During the leisure season, between May and October, breakfast is generally light as guests are up early to experience the wildlife first thing, so the hotel's team might start the day with freshly baked wild berry & wattle seed muffins, "bush eggs" any style on sourdough toast with bacon, tomato, warrigal green & kutjera relish or house blend bircher museli with Manuka honey, bush apple and a dollop of vanilla bean yoghurt.
Lunch is generally served on the wildlife observation deck overlooking the floodplains, where you might enjoy citrus and fennel warm chicken salad with roasted macadamia nuts.
Canapes out in the wilderness while enjoying your afternoon
activity are followed by a three-course dinner hosted by your field guide featuring more Australian bush-inspired recipes.
Watch the chef create his favourite bush spiced duck confit in the open kitchen from the dinner table.
Guests can help themselves to drinks at any time from the self-service bar offering a variety of refreshments, including an after dinner tipple for those so inclined.
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 knowlegde of this unique area of Australia that brings the experience alive.
Dietary requirements, allergies and preferences are catered for however please give advance warning.
Given the remote location, the hotel's team are not just a nip around the corner to the store.
The most exclusive way of enjoying the bush at one of Australia's most exclusive bush properties, The Hide has been designed in true Wild Bush Luxury style with the opportunity to escape to a remote and beautiful bush spot in comfort and safety; with a picnic hamper, a selection of premium wines, a bird book, set of
binoculars and a two way radio to stay in touch, let one of Bamurru's field guides drop you at The Hide to enjoy a romantic lunch and afternoon siesta with just the sounds and sights of the floodplain to keep you company.
min. of 2, max. of 6
Enjoy incredible views right from the pool! Relax and get a real pleasure from the touch of warm, gentle water.
Tune in your senses to the sounds of the bush at night, listen for the call of a Barking Owl or the snort of a buffalo before slipping into your deluxe swag for a night in your private treehouse away from civilisation and the worries of the world.
The activities focus on early morning and late afternoon when the wildlife and the light are at their best.
Guests can participate in a number of activities such as: an airboat trip on the
floodplains (subject to water levels), a river cruise spotting birds and crocodiles on the Sampan River (tidal conditions permitting), 4WD safaris across the 300 km2 private property in open top safari vehicles, guided wilderness walks through paperbark forests, bird watching, astronomy evenings as well as quad bike safaris (subject to minimum age).
Optional activities that can be arranged, subject to availability, include: siesta lunch retreat or an overnight treetop sleep-out at the signature Bird Hide, scenic flights (by airplane or helicopter), private fishing safaris, taking a privately guided day trip to Kakadu National Park or Arnhem Land.
Scenic flights - it is possible to arrange scenic flights over Kakadu by single-engine aircraft.
This excursion can be arranged prior to your stay or whilst at the lodge, subject to availability.
Fishing - the best time is during the "run off" in February-April; Bamurru is an excellent location for the dedicated fisherman seeking some comfort.
Fishing is predominantly tidal saltwater fishing and requires a specialist fishing guide to be arranged; the main species to be fished here is Barramundi.
Kakadu National Park & Arnhem Land - private day tours can be arranged from Bamurru Plains to either Kakadu National Park or 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.
During the wet season almost 100 sq km of the station is covered in water providing the ideal habitat for baitfish to breed in the warm shallow waters of the floodplain. Guests of Bamurru Plains have exclusive access to these floodplains.
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.
While Bamurru Plains does not provide sites of specific Aboriginal interest, the rock art galleries of Kakadu and Arnhem Land are only a short distance away.
The birding spectacle on the Swim Creek floodplain and surrounding Mary River region is second to none in the Top End due to both the extraordinary volume and variety of birdlife and Bamurru's 300km2 allows birding groups a private and exclusive experience.
The open sided safari vehicles feature shaded canopies with comfortable and raised seating to provide the best possible vantage point to view agile wallabies, estuarine crocodiles, wild horses, buffalo's and some of the 236 bird species on the property.
Look for ant trails that criss cross the ground at your feet, or the birds calling up in the tree tops before settling in for morning tea amongst the beauty which is Bamurru.
Join canon master and founder of Lonely Planet Images, Richard I'Anson on an incredible Top End Wilderness Photo Safari at Bamurru Plains.
Criss-crossing between floodplain savannah, monsoonal forests and dry, open areas dotted with termite mounds alongside buffalo and brumbies, explore Bamurru from the wheel of your own quad bike!
The rivers, creeks and estuaries of the Top End offer world famous Barramundi fishing and guests of Bamurru Plains will fish with licensed and experienced local guides.
The ultimate wedding venue or the most remote and natural corporate retreat, a photographic workshop site - the options for using The Hide for your own private event are endless!
Raised 6 metres above the ground in the tree canopy overlooking the Mary River floodplain, The Hide is the ultimate eyrie from which birdlife and other wildlife can be observed undisturbed in their natural habitat.
Spend three or four immersive days at Bamurru Plains with one full day exploring World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park.
BAMURRU PLAINS
Mary River FloodplaiKakadu NT 0836Australia