Series of ‘Weekends at Bamurru Plains’ taps into Premium Travellers’ Growing Environmental Interest.

Series of ‘Weekends at Bamurru Plains’ taps into Premium Travellers’ Growing Environmental Interest.

As the wheels of government turn slowly, the more agile business community and philanthropists are taking the lead on environmental reform. Indulging these environmental passions, Bamurru Plains has launched a series of Weekends at Bamurru, on the edge of Kakadu National Park, that marry an ecologically-sensitive luxury experience with insights from some of the country’s most inspiring environmentalists.

Limited to 16 guests, the first Weekend at Bamurru is planned for June 27 to 29, in the company of best-selling author and environmentalist, Patrice Newell.

Patrice Newell made a ‘sea-change’ 22 years ago, swapping a high profile modelling and media career to become a biodynamic farmer and sustainable land manager in the Hunter Valley of NSW. During the following two decades, she has faced the challenges of managing 10,000 acres and producing organic beef, olives and honey, transforming herself from novice farmer to best-selling author.

Her books include Ten Thousand Acres: A Love Story, a heartfelt call for sustainable land use; The Olive Grove, her bestselling account of leaving the city for life on the land; and The River, a critically-acclaimed examination of water-management issues facing rural communities. Her new book, Tree to Table, ventures into the ancient origins of olive oil and its sublime flavours.

From September 26 to 29, the second Weekend will be hosted by Atticus Fleming, head of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Australia’s leading non-government conservation organisation, which owns and manages 19 properties covering nearly 2.5 million hectares.

Atticus Fleming served as policy advisor on the personal staff of Senator, the Hon Robert Hill, Australia’s longest-serving Federal Environment Minister, where he played a major role in the development of the country’s first biodiversity law, described by environmental groups as “the biggest legislative win for the environment in 25 years”.

Bamurru Plains’s ‘wild bush luxury’ focuses on the wildlife, birdlife and dramatic landscape of the Mary River floodplains to the west of Kakadu National Park. Nine individual safari suites blend with the surrounding bush, yet have the creature comforts of a luxury hotel: supremely comfortable beds, ensuites and views over the savannah. This is Australia’s answer to the luxury African safari.

The floodplains teem with wallabies, vast flocks of magpie geese and other bird life. Highlights of the Weekends include skimming across the floodplains by airboat, spotting crocodiles and other wildlife; guided walks and drives and time to relax in camp – swimming in the infinity pool and sharing Patrice’s and Atticus’s stories and insights over five star meals.

The Weekend with Patrice Newell includes a private charter flight into Kakadu for a day immersed in the Aboriginal culture of Arnhem Land. Atticus Fleming will guide guests on a private charter, flying by light plane and helicopter into the AWC’s Wongalara Sanctuary which protects a suite of ecosystems and is a ‘hotspot’ for wildlife, being home to over 200 bird species and an estimated 40 species of mammal.

The Weekend at Bamurru Plains with Patrice Newell is from June 27 to 29 and with Atticus Fleming is from September 26 to 29. Each costs $3600 per person including three nights accommodation; all meals; beverages; safari activities; private charter flight transfers to and from Darwin and Kakadu or Wongalara, and a contribution to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

For further information call 1300 790 561 or visit www.bamurruplains.com.