The Top End of Australia is renowned for its spectacular coastal floodplains, billabongs and mangrove fringed tidal rivers that empty into the Arafura Sea. Each year in the ‘wet season’, usually January to March, the floodplains are replenished with the monsoonal rains and the flora, fauna and fish of the Top End spring to life…
Please note that all pricing is dependent upon availability at the time of booking, blackout dates and seasonal surcharges may apply.
Bamurru Plains operates dedicated fishing safaris in March and April, throughout the ‘run off’ period, which is the best time of the year to fish in the Top End. However, the camp is open for guests until the end of October each year.
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In addition to its extraordinary natural beauty and prolific wildlife, this region boasts one of the world’s great sports fish, the mighty Barramundi, both in the river systems and in the ‘run off’ on the floodplains. The prime fishing seasons are in February to May with the ‘run off’ as the fresh floodwaters from the ‘wet’ flow off the floodplains into the tidal river and creek channels. Local fishing spots that are accessible from Bamurru Plains include Shady Camp, Corroboree Billabong and the Tommycut and Sampan Creeks. The highlight for any fisherman at Bamurru, however, is fishing on the Swim Creek floodplain by airboat. The airboats are fitted with casting decks to maximize the experience of fishing the floodplain in spots that are only accessible by camp guests.
The camp has nine 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.
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. 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, great bathrooms, good food and 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 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.
The Airboat Fleet at Bamurru Plains have been built to specifications that comply with the ‘Marine Park Damage Rules’ with the aim to achieve a minimal environmental footprint. The environmental friendly features include no fuel emissions in the water, a low bank-wash and the noise issue, which has been addressed with Prop & Exhaust attenuation. The three airboats have aptly been named after the manufacturers.
Fishing is predominantly tidal salt-water fishing with the main species to be fished here is Barramundi. Other species to be caught are threadfin salmon and freshwater saratoga.
Fishing
The best fishing months occur at the end of the wet season when the water on the floodplains start receding. The “run-off” results in vast quantities of smaller fish, frogs, insects and crabs being drained into the main channels. The Barramundi congregate at these run-off locations and fishing these waterways at this time of the year can produce some excellent catches for the ready anglers. Bamurru Plains is a dedicated fishing lodge from 01 March through to 30 April.
Fishing Equipment
A full selection of quality fishing gear is provided on-board all of the boats. The use of this equipment is included in the fishing charter rates on a replace if lost or broken basis. If you prefer, you can bring along your own equipment. Anglers who prefer to bring their own rods and are flying to Bamurru Plains, there is a maximum rod tube length which must not exceed 200cm or 6’6″.
