Welcome to the Never Never

Day 1: Wednesday 31^st July 2024

All aboard! Today we make our way down to Melbourne Airport. Go through airport formalities and fly to Darwin. On arrival into Darwin, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. (Doubletree by Hilton or similar)

Day 2: Thursday 1^st August 2024 (B, D)

After Breakfast this morning! The day is yours to explore Darwin, you might want to have a sleep-in or meander around the city taking in its many sights. If you wanted to do something in particular or go out of Darwin and visit a national park. We can organise something to your liking!

Day 3: Friday 2^nd August 2024 (B, D)

Today we make our way to Bullo River Station, the transfer from Darwin will be by air. This will either be a helicopter or light aircraft. Bullo River Station is remote and driving there is very difficult, this is the quickest and easiest way.

Bullo River Station is a working cattle station and Homestead covering 400,000 acres of the Northern Territory. 800 km south-west of Darwin and 200 km east of Kununurra in what is referred to as the East Kimberley region. Encircled by the coffee-coloured waters of the Victoria River and rugged hills inscribed with Aboriginal rock art, this vast property is home not only to around 3,500 Brahman-cross cattle but also to a stunning variety of local fauna including wallabies, dingoes, wild buffalo, a myriad of native and migratory birds, fish and the omnipresent crocodiles. Your experience on the station will be one to get to know the land and experience the outback in a unique way with the creature comforts. Inspired by our landscape, the 12 guest rooms are styled to provide an inviting sanctuary, perfect after a day on the station. Each room opens out onto shady lawns and is cool and comfortable, with a king or twin beds, air-conditioning and a modern ensuite. Rooms are serviced daily. There is a comfortable communal area where guests can help themselves to freshly-baked goodies, enjoy a drink with fellow travellers or fill their water bottles for the day ahead. Laze by the pool on a lounge amongst the palm trees, or in air-conditioned comfort.

Bullo is an all-inclusive stay; all food and drinks are provided plus activities. Helicopter rides on the station are additional.

 

Cruise the Bullo:

The Bullo River Gorge is a stunning location that can only be taken in from a boat. The river banks are lined with mangroves, fig trees and pandanus, while the red cliffs tower over the water. We know of one resident crocodile but regularly see smaller freshies sunning themselves on the riverbank. When you come to Bullo, it’s only natural to spend some pleasurable hours on our namesake river. Our electric motor boat takes you through the gorge at a relaxed pace so you can decide to drop a line or just take in the scenery.

 

Fishing:

Fishing is a favourite pastime at Bullo, with early mornings and late afternoons the perfect time to drop a line into the glassy Bullo waters. The wild Bullo River winds 80 km through the station, offering tidal and freshwater fishing. Whilst renowned for our barramundi, there are plenty of other fish to try your hand at catching. Our guides are available to take novices through to professional anglers to experience some of the Top End’s best fishing and maybe show you a local trick or two! You can fish from the boats or the river bank. Quality fishing gear is supplied and included in the nightly rate. We do operate a catch and release policy to protect fish stocks.

 

Birds & Wildlife:

Birds, wallabies, crocodiles, goannas, and other reptiles are native to the station. The cool mornings and evenings are the best time to see the wildlife as they congregate at the water’s edge. One of the world’s two known populations of pygmy crocodile is found on the Bullo River. This elusive reptile is a rare but delightful sight. The station is a bird watcher's paradise with around 200 resident and migratory bird species spotted on the property. Just before sunrise, you'll hear the raucous call of the Blue-winged Kookaburra starting up, followed by a chorus of noisy Sulpher-crested Cockatoos, Masked Lapwings, and Honeyeaters. It's a hotspot for finches, with more than ten species found here including the exquisite Star Finch, and the colourful and threatened Gouldian Finch.

 

Aboriginal Rock Art:

Numerous Aboriginal rock art sites have been discovered in the station’s rugged red cliffs and ridge lines, the work of the Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng people who lived on and managed the land. We are still learning about the cultural significance of these vivid depictions. The galleries are only accessible by guided tour in an all-terrain vehicle or helicopter.

 

Helicopter Flights:

See Bullo River Station’s half a million acres of breathtaking pristine landscape by helicopter. Fly along winding gorges and land near private waterfalls to enjoy a gourmet picnic. Explore swimming holes high up on the escarpment, far away from crocodiles, and visit Aboriginal rock art sites that very few people have. See vast grass plains speckled with herds of cattle and wild buffalo. Land near remote waterholes and watch the cattle, buffalo, and wildlife congregate. Bullo’s helicopter expeditions are tailor-made to your interests. Included in your stay at Bullo is 6 minutes of helicopter time per adult guest. These minutes can be combined with your friends and family for a short scenic flight or used towards a helicopter experience. Specialised heli-fishing tours are also available. Please note that all helicopter experiences are an optional extra at an additional cost.

 

Station Activies:

While you can't participate in station activities, our guides can get you out and about on the station in four-wheel drive vehicles, see the cattle in their paddocks and learn about how the station operates. When we have poddy calves in the pen, they need to be fed every morning and afternoon, and we invite you to come and watch. Cattle mustering is seasonal, weather dependent and in the dry season, and you are welcome to watch the action in the cattle yards from the purpose-built viewing platform. Ask the team about our station tour if you are interested in the ins and outs of running Bullo River Station. Please note: our horses are working, station horses and are not available for guests to ride.

 

Marlee’s Bath:

Marlee’s Bath is a picturesque and safe waterhole, with a story attached to the previous owner, Marlee Ranacher (formerly Henderson). Marlee would bathe in this water when using the area as a mustering camp, directing all the men to bathe further down the river. Now we have a BBQ, change room and long drop toilet there, so it’s a great place to stop and enjoy a swim and a delicious lunch, cooked on a cast iron campfire.

 

Star Gazing:

With minimal light pollution, Bullo River Station is the perfect place to explore the stars. Gaze through the telescopes or just the naked eye, to reveal the wonders of our expansive night sky. Discover more about our solar system as you identify the Milky Way's Giant Emu and other constellations.

Marralam Cultural Experience:
Spend an unforgettable day on Djarrany-Djarrany Country with a cultural experience presented by Kingfisher Tours (in partnership with Djarrany-Djarrany). Join local guides as part of a special cultural immersion experience, which includes guided tours of rock art, fishing, storytelling, hunting and plenty of delicious food and enjoyment.

 The day begins with a short 30-minute helicopter ride to Legune Station, tracking over the epic Bullo landscape and up across the top of the spectacular Champagne Falls in the Keep River National Park.

Upon arrival at a Rock Art site, enjoy freshly baked damper, tea from the billy and dreaming stories of the lightning man who walks across the country. The next stop is the wetlands and riverbed where you can take in the abundant bird life, collect mussels, and try your hand at throw-net fishing. A delicious bush-tucker lunch of freshly picked mussels, salad and meats follows, cooked and enjoyed around an open fire. After lunch, embark on a walk through the beautiful country to one of the many water springs, before returning to Bullo via helicopter. The Marralam Cultural Experience runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. It costs $2,510 for two people (minimum required for booking) or $2,990 for three people (maximum capacity in the R44 helicopter).

 

Day 4: Saturday 3^rd August ’24  (B, L, D)

Bullo River Station

 

Day 5: Sunday 4^th August ’24   (B, L, D) 

Bullo River Station

 

Day 6: Monday 5^th August ’24  (B)

It is time to depart Bullo River Station after a very memorable experience. On arrival into Darwin there will be some free time. The flight scheduling is late, so will organise for a room to be available, so if you would like to unwind before coming home, or maybe keep exploring. (Doubletree by Hilton or similar)

Day 7: Tuesday 6^th August ‘24(B)

On arrival into Melbourne, breakfast will be waiting at the ParkRoyal Mebourne Airport. Then Cardwell’s will transfer you back to your original towns.   

PRICE $9315 per person, based on Twin Share
(Single Supplement on application)