Overview
Safari, outback style
Set on a small part of the 31,000 hectare Swim Creek Station beside the Mary River floodplain, bush retreat Bamurru Plains may be three hours from Darwin, but it feels so much more remote. A working cattle farm, a stay here is all about escaping to the wild in comfort.
Find yourself feeling as though you’re in the middle of nowhere, with an elegant bungalow on the edge of a wetlands plain to call home, with buffalo, crocodiles, wallabies and hundreds of birds as your neighbours. With no phone signal or Wi-Fi here, you can truly unplug and allow yourself the space to unwind surrounded by nature.
Bamurru is closed during the wet season, and opens early in the year for fishing safaris, before the waters begin to recede and wilderness experiences can resume. Early in the dry season, before the waters have fully receded, the wildlife is spectacular.
Facts
At a glance
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10 rustic chic bungalow tents
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Wildlife hide
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Infinity pool
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Restaurant
Experiences
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Airboat safaris
The signature experience here is an exhilarating ride across the floodplains by airboat. You’ll find yourself being whisked from open grasslands to a paper bark fringed lagoon. One moment you’re skimming the surface at high speed, the next you’re floating silently marveling at the wildlife around you.
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Bird watching
In the Mary River catchment area there are some 236 species of bird and you can spot many of them close to Bamurru Plains. The diverse birdlife is thanks to the wide variety of habitats here, from paperbark swamps, to the savannah woodland, river mangroves and beaches. Serious birders can enjoy a private experience with an ornithologist who specializes in this area.
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River cruises
Go on a relaxed meander along the Sampan Creek. The scenery and wildlife in this riverine habitat is different to what you’ll find in other parts of the property. Look out for crocodiles and birds and the occasional barra.
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Game drives
An open-top game drive is the perfect way to take in the wide variety of wildlife around the area. Look out for wallabies, estuarine crocodiles, wild horses, buffalos and countless birds.
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Guided walks
Slow down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush on a guided walking safari. It will give you space to connect with your surroundings.
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The Hide
Set six metres above ground in the tree canopy overlooking the Mary River floodplain, this is the perfect spot from which to watch the birds and animals.
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Quad bike tours
Hop on a quad bike and explore the plains and woodland, looking out for wildlife on the way.
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Barramundi fishing
When the Mary River floodplains are full, there are large numbers of barramundi to be caught both there and in the rivers that adjoin the Bamarru Plains. For a real memorable fishing experience head out on an airboat.
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Kakadu day excursion
Take a short flight across the Kakadu where you’ll discover rock art galleries which tell the ancient stories of the Aboriginal people. The landscape alone, with its changing texture and colours, is spectacular.
Community & Culture
During construction, as much of the materials needed that could be sourced locally were. The same is true for items for sale in the boutique. The field guides at Bamurru are among the most highly qualified in Australia and bring with them a wealth of knowledge about the environment and the challenges it faces. The guides here are so sought after that they often go on to work in other regions in Australia.
Conservation
One of the benefits to taking guests to some of the more remote parts of the region is that those areas are in turn protected and do not run the risk of being turned into farmland, or being exploited.
Footprint
Three quarters of the lodge’s power is provided by 240 solar panels, helping to reduce the carbon footprint as well as noise. The water is solar heated and hairdryers are only available on request. Only three of the rooms have aircon, available at a surcharge.
The linen is sand coloured so bleach is not necessary, all detergents and cleaning products are eco-certified, and the fabric can hang dry without ironing.
Guests are provided with re-usable bottles and drinking water is filtered bore water. No plastic mineral water bottles are used on site.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.