Immerse yourself in the stone country of awe-inspiring World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park – one of Australia’s greatest strongholds of Aboriginal rock art and culture. The Ultimate Kakadu Experience is the latest addition at Bamurru Plains and is available with a 3 or 4 night stay. After fantastic rain in the Top End, the floodplains of Bamurru are looking incredible, with vivid colours and clouds putting on a show. In addition, the abundance of wildlife that has already returned is a sign for a fabulous season ahead in 2017 so a visit to Kakadu is the icing on the cake.
Bamurru Plains – Melaleuca Forest
Kakadu covers an amazing 20,000 square-kilometres and is recognised for its incredible natural beauty and also its cultural significance to the Aboriginal people who have inhabited the area for over 50,000 years. Experience ancient rock art, beautiful rocky escarpment country and a diverse ecosystem, with about one third of all Australia’s bird species in the park!
Kakadu – Image credit: Peter Boer
The experience
Just a short hop from Bamurru Plains by light aircraft across the river systems that separate Bamurru Plains from Kakadu brings you to the heart of this country. Rock art galleries reveal stories of Aboriginal people and their ancient culture. Textures of colours, vistas across savannah woodlands and floodplains provide a sense of the spirituality of this ancient landscape.
From rock overhangs and caves at Ubirr Rock (think classic scenes from Crocodile Dundee) to the meandering waters of the East Alligator River that drains from the stone country of Arnhem Land and marks the boundary between Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, this day will expose the senses to country that is rich in Aboriginal culture, flora and fauna.
Aboriginal Rock Art at Ubirr in Kakadu – Image credit: Peter Boer
Travelling with Wild Bush Luxury’s field guides in our custom built vehicle, your day will include a bush picnic lunch and the chance to spend time with an Aboriginal guide on the waters of the East Alligator River before returning overland, with a stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre, returning in time for sundowner drinks, canapes and the comfort of the safari lodge as the sun sets over Bamurru Plains.
Your Kakadu Day Trip is available to be booked as a shared excursion with other Bamurru Plains guests on a Tuesday or Friday or a private option on all other days of the week.
Longitude 131, one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia is uniquely located in the Central Australian outback near World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Elise Johnson, Longitude 131°’s Sales Manager , tells us more.
Describe Longitude 131° in 3 words.
Timeless, spiritual and authentic.
Tell us a little bit about Longitude 131° and what makes it so unique beyond great food, great wine and a very comfortable place to sleep?
Imagine waking to the sight of Australia’s most iconic view – the sacred red rock of Uluru – literally at the end of your bed! Situated discreetly adjacent to the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Longitude 131° offers 15 elevated luxury tents with unrivalled views of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the surrounding desert landscape. A custom itinerary of guided experiences offer guests a first-hand encounter of Australia’s Red Centre. Guests might walk among the majestic red domes of Kata Tjuta, dine outdoors under the stars and witness the changing lights over Uluru at the magic moment of sunset, with glass of champagne in hand. At Longitude 131°, we promise our guests a special connection with the spiritual heart of Australia, with that little touch of luxury!
At Longitude 131° Uluru (Ayers Rock) can be seen from your bed!
How is Longitude 131 pushing the boundaries in guest experiences?
An exceptional signature touring program designed exclusively for Longitude 131° guests is included in the wilderness experience and a personalised itinerary is presented upon arrival. This touring program showcases the world’s largest monoliths: the Red Centre’s gem, Uluru (Ayers Rock), and the sacred red domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). For further exploration, we can arrange additional bespoke experiences that cater to a wide range of interests, including scenic helicopter flights, camel rides, motorcycle tours, dot painting workshops and plenty more!
At Baillie Lodges’ we pride ourselves on our ongoing commitment to product excellence, the result of which our guests are thrilled to experience. One recent example is the iconic ‘Field of Light’ display, an incredible light installation created by British-born installation artist Bruce Munro. Longitude 131° guests have an exclusive experience of the interactive artwork as part of the lodge’s Signature Experiences program. As the twilight cools the day, guests walk uninterrupted along the pathways in the Field of Light, just as the tiny buds are lighting up in the evening sky. When it’s time to depart, the field is fully lit, mirroring the billions of stars in the midnight blue of the desert sky and offering an unforgettable transformation of the landscape. Field of Light will be lighting up the Red Centre until 31 March 2018 ~ you won’t want to miss it!
The new balconies complete with swag at Longitude 131°
What’s a recent (last 6 months) innovation at Longitude 131°?
Earlier this year, Longitude 131 revealed its new balconies, a modern addition to the existing tent-style pavilions that fit so naturally it’s hard to imagine the tents without them. The balconies offer luxurious outdoor lounging with comfy armchairs, an EcoSmart fire for the evenings and generous daybed for relaxing into views of Uluru. A luxury evening turndown service includes an after-dinner snack with accompanying digestifs, and the rollout of the new custom-designed Baillie swag under the open night sky. Perfect for lazing and star-gazing under a blanket of stars, this is glamping at its most marvellous!
What activity should guests not miss during their stay at Longitude 131°?
A scenic helicopter flight showcasing spectacular bird’s eye views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, or further afield discover Lake Amadeus and Mount Conner.
A helicopter experience at Longitude 131° is not to be missed.
Best dining experience at Longitude 131°?
Our daily changing menus reflect the best of contemporary Australian cuisine, combined with outback flavours and native ingredients like lemon myrtle, quandongs and desert-foraged herbs to create a uniquely local dining experience. Whilst dining under the canopy of the Dune House, guests are encouraged to feel at home by helping themselves to a diverse range of Australian wines, beers and premium spirits from the open bar. There’s always a friendly team member on hand to assist with mixing up a special ‘outback’ cocktail!
A truly memorable dining experience is Table 131°, a spectacular dinner under the stars enjoyed with fellow travellers among the red desert dunes. Guests are welcomed to their table by the sounds of the didgeridoo, reflecting on their day of discovery whilst enjoying four delicious courses complemented by the finest Australian wines. The evening is complete as our resident astronomer shares stories of the Southern night sky. Exclusive to Longitude 131°, Table 131° is an incredible outback experience like none other.
Table 131°, a spectacular dinner under the stars
Please describe a typical guest at Longitude 131°.
There are no typical guests at Longitude 131, each are unique with their own personal desire for visiting this magical part of Australia!
Is Longitude 131° child friendly?
We welcome children 10 years and older at Longitude 131.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Longitude 131° makes a perfect outback complement to the coastal wilderness on offer at sister property Southern Ocean Lodge and to the subtropical coral reef paradise at Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island. Let Alquemie create the ultimate luxury itinerary for your visit to Australia!
Elise Johnson
Sales Manager for Baillie Lodges (Southern Ocean Lodge, Longitude 131, Capella Lodge)
Elise Johnson is the Sales Manager for Baillie Lodges, a collection of intimate luxury lodges in unique wilderness destinations.
Juan Walker (Aboriginal name Karanba), is a Kuku Yalanji man from the Mossman/Daintree area and has been working as a tour guide in this region for fifteen years.
Juan regularly spends time with elders of the Kuku Yalanji people, hearing stories of the history, traditions, and culture, stories and information he holds dear to him, for his family and also shares as part of his tours, as he believes it is through the learning and sharing of his culture to all people, that an understanding and respect for Aboriginal beliefs is created, and this aids in the reconciliation process.
Please explain a little bit about who you are and what you do?
I am the owner/operator of Walkabout Cultural Adventures, a tour business operating in Tropical North Queensland, that offers unique tours focusing on Aboriginal culture, significant sites, environmental information and local tourist attractions. I have been guiding in the region for 15 years, having lived in this region my entire life. Walkabout Cultural Adventures offer interpersonal Aboriginal cultural based tours with small numbers on a half or full day basis.
What got you started with your passion and what do you find most interesting about it?
Previously I was employed at Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa as the Aboriginal Activities Co-ordinator, and it was there I learnt the many facets of the tourism and hospitality industry. I saw that there was no Aboriginal cultural experiences that offered half and full day tours around the region, so I decided to start my own business. I have always enjoyed spending time with elders of my people, the Kuku Yalanji people, and it is from hearing their stories of the history, traditions, and culture, that form the basis of my tours. I enjoy learning and sharing my culture with all interested people.
How do you bring Aboriginal culture to life on your tours?
Given that the information I tell on tour is relevant to actual places we visit, and my own family history, it brings itself to life.
Why do you think it’s important that people learn about Aboriginal culture?
Aboriginal culture is significant to Australia’s history. I like to think that through the learning and sharing of my culture and history, that an understanding and respect for Aboriginal beliefs is created, and this aids in the reconciliation process.
What’s your favourite Australian animal and why?
Crocodile, we call it Bilngkumu in our language. It is our totem.
What place is Australia’s best-kept secret?
The Daintree rainforest.
What haven’t you seen / done in Australia that you’d like to and why?
Sections of the Western Australian coast, I’d love to see the desert meet the ocean, and the different wildlife.
Finally, how can people follow you on social media?
