My ‘Outback Australian‘ experience began in early May 2018. I was attending a 4-day photography workshop at Wild Bush Luxury Camp. The camp is on the Bamurru plains, a series of wetlands in the Northern Territory (NT). As a result, this place had been on my bucket list for some time.

Bamurru Plains

Bamuruu Plains is approximately 1,420 million sq. km. in size. With a sparse population of only 245,000, of which just over 25% are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. Aboriginal Australians arrived in the NT approx. 40,000 years ago.

It is a rugged land. Very hot, harsh, and humid. It experiences dramatically increased humidity during the wet season of November – April, with the arrival of monsoonal rains and storms.

Home for Aboriginal Australians,  their rich culture and traditions still exist today. Approx. 80 Aboriginal languages are still spoken. Half of the land in the NT is owned by the Aboriginal people. Its capital city is Darwin, and its coastline is 13,500 km long. The NT is also home to stunning world-famous landscapes like The Olga’s. World Heritage sites include Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kakadu National Park, spectacular rock formations, rainforests, waterfalls, billabongs, and swamps.

Bamurru Plains Wildlife

Over one-third of Australia’s bird species, rare flowers, plant life, and native wildlife live here. For example, crocodiles, barramundi, water pythons, wallabies, magpie geese, goannas, frilled-neck lizards, brolgas, jabirus, raptors, and many other birds and wildlife are abundant in the NT.

Wild Bush Luxury Camp

Wild Bush Luxury Camp on Bamurru Plains is a 30-minute flight east of Darwin. It is on the Mary River flood plains just west of Kakadu National Park. It was an exceptional experience due to its remote location and the abundance of wildlife there. At the end of the wet season, the water levels are still reasonably high. The wetlands are teeming with wading water buffalos, many wetland birds, and thousands of flowering waterlilies stretching off into the distance. Consequently,  I found it so enchanting and magical.

Arriving at the airstrip, you are greeted by friendly staff who transport you in open safari vehicles to the camp. A welcome drink and orientation await you on arrival. We were then taken to our tents to settle in before our first outing on the airboat.

Isolated Luxury

The large main Lodge is very comfortable. Home to a lounge, open bar, and communal dining table. An expert chef prepares three delicious 5-star meals daily, with an incredible variety of fresh food. Five free-standing, very comfortable, and well-appointed luxury tents are on each side of the main Lodge.

The walls are partially made of mesh. This allows the full view of the wetlands, birds, and other wild animals that roam freely. The en suite bathroom is wood and tin and very inviting. All rooms have fans, and some come with an air-conditioner.

It is a very ‘switched off’ stay, with no phone service, wi-fi, or television. There is a swimming pool and two outdoor lounges. Waking up each morning to the sounds of the bird calls and looking out from your bed onto the plains is incredible. Seeing and hearing the water buffalo, wallabies, and sounds of the birds from your tent is just unbelievable; in this case, it is unlike anywhere else. Our days included daily river cruises on airboats for bird and wildlife spotting and photographing.

Arnhem Land

One day, we visited Arnhem Land to experience Aboriginal culture and meet some local artists. It was an enlightening and memorable experience.

This was a photographer’s dream trip. From the many birds, wildlife, and amazing landscapes to the wetlands blooming with millions of waterlilies for us to capture. Daily trips on an airboat meandering the water channels and flood plains. Enjoying sunrises and sunsets, seeing the wilderness at its best, and everything in between made this a memorable few days.

What did I love the best about Wild Bush Luxury Camp on Bamurru Plains? It isn’t easy to say, as I loved everything about my four incredible days there—the Lodge, of course, for the impeccable service and exclusive wildlife viewing in the airboats. Indeed, waking up each day to the sounds of hundreds of birds was enchanting. The flood plains, the accommodation, knowledgeable guides, and millions of flowering waterlilies led to a unique and memorable experience.

Bamurru Plains is one place I can highly recommend, and I intend to return!