Best of Bush Luxury
8-9 nights (plus a city stop)
Australia’s wild bush doesn’t mean you need to rough it. Discover just how extraordinary our wilderness is; from the floodplains of the Top End at Bamurru, to Arkaba in the spectacular Flinders Ranges of the Southern Outback, to Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains, you’ll find that luxury and nature make for a great combination.
This itinerary is just an indicator of what’s on offer in Australia. At Alquemie we tailor make every vacation based on the whims of our guests. Please contact us to find out about the magical holiday we could craft for you.
BAMURRU PLAINS, TOP END, NORTHERN TERRITORY (3 NIGHTS)
Bamurru Plains is an extraordinary bush experience on the edge of Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory. The coastal floodplains of northern Australia are home to prolific bird and wildlife (Australia’s answer to the Okavango Delta) whilst Kakadu and Arnhem Land are the heartland of the country’s indigenous culture.
*Bamurru Plains is open from 1 May to 31 October.
A selection of must do’s
- Airboat tour – A morning trip out on the floodplain wetlands of the Mary River catchment in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this key natural environment.
- 4WD safaris – With the recession of the waters from much of the floodplain in the dry season, the plains become accessible to 4WD vehicles and an afternoon out with one of the guides will provide a unique insight to this fragile yet very important environment.
- Aboriginal Culture in Arnhem Land & Kakadu National Park – The rock art galleries of Kakadu and Arnhem Land are only a short distance away and Bamurru provides an ideal base from which to visit Kakadu or Arnhem Land.
- Bird watching – The Mary River catchment is home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. Even in the dry season the floodplains on the property still retain large areas of water to which the birdlife congregates in extraordinary numbers rarely seen elsewhere in Australia.
ARKABA, FLINDERS RANGES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA (3 NIGHTS)
Arkaba’s true luxury lies in the fact that its 60,000 acres are shared by just 10 guests. Located in the ancient and awe-inspiring scale landscape of the Flinders Ranges, Arkaba’s 5 room Homestead is at the heart of a 60,000 acre private wildlife conservancy and provides the opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the story of the bush – its ancient geology, diverse wildlife and the chance to understand the conservation challenges that Australia faces.
A selection of must do’s
- Spending time with a local guide bushwalking along the dry bed of the Arkaba Creek is a great way to soak up the sounds and smells of the bush and expand your knowledge of Australian fauna. Australia’s three largest macropods (Red Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo and Common Wallaroo) are all regular sightings. The country’s endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, has also returned to Arkaba’s range since the introduction of conservation management programs.
- Evening dining – Dining is a communal affair –within the homestead, or al fresco around an old wool-classing table on the outdoor terrace. With the ever-changing light and sounds of the bush all around, this is a special and uniquely Australian outback experience. After dinner be lured to the fire-pit and take in the enormity of the night sky and stars.
- Indigenous culture – the area is rich in Aboriginal culture and the Elder Range on Arkaba is steeped in stories and with rarely visited art sites. Allow the guides to introduce you to the region’s Aboriginal story.
- 4WD safari – During a longer stay at Arkaba, a day trip into the neighbouring Flinders Ranges National Park includes driving through the Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges, a visit to the old mining town of Blinman and lunch at an outback pub hotel.
EMIRATES ONE&ONLY WOLGAN VALLEY, SYDNEY – BLUE MOUNTAINS, NEW SOUTH WALES (2-3 NIGHTS)
Easily accessible with a 3hr drive from the cosmopolitan city of Sydney, the Greater Blue Mountains is a wilderness covering more than one million hectares of rainforest, canyons, eucalypt forests and heath lands. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Australian wilderness at the conservation-led Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. This is the quintessential Australian bush experience, combined with distinctive dining, dramatic scenery, heritage and 7000 acres of private conservation reserve to explore.
A selection of must do’s
- Guided mountain bike tour – or trail ride on horseback – in Australia’s Blue Mountains is the ideal way to become familiar with the land, and the types of terrain while encountering the reserve’s wildlife including wombats and rare albino wallaroo.
- The Valley Bar & Terrace Lounge offers an expansive terrace to enjoy in the warmer months, or an open fireplace indoors for when it’s cooler. At any time of the day or year, panoramic views across the valley frame the varying hues of the seasons, encouraging guests to sit back, rest and recuperate.
- Enjoy a refreshing dip in your own private lap pool.