Outback luxury in the wild north of Australia
It is only a 25-minute flight from Darwin by Cessna 210 into the outback to Mary River Airstrip, from where Bamurru Plains Lodge is quickly accessible by all-terrain vehicle. The landscape at the Top End of Australia is comparable to the African Okavango Delta. There is hardly any other place in the world that has a larger population of wildlife on vast expanses of water. Except that in Australia, crocodiles and water buffalo take center stage instead of zebras and lions.
![Ein Schwarm gefiederter Pfeifenenten erhebt sich in die Lüfte / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2418-bamurru-p69ky8-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Travelers quickly perceive themselves as part of the environment here. The list of prominent guests from the worlds of politics, business and the arts who have spent precious Tasge here is long. A maximum of 20 guests can be seated at meals at the long table in the main building of the lodge. Guests can retreat to ten bungalow suites scattered around the grounds.
![In ausreichender Distanz voneinander, dafür aber umso näher an der Natur stehen zehn Suiten und Bungalows / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2224-bamurru-p69kxx-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
The private accommodations, which are spread over the extensive area of the lodge, stand on stilts, are discreetly furnished and offer direct contact with nature. Far away from home and work, neither the Internet nor mobile phones are missed after a short time. The senses open up to new stimuli.
![Unverstellter Panoramablick aus dem Schlafzimmer. Zweckmäßiger könnte die Einrichtung nicht sein / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/di_9497-bamurru-plains-p69ky7-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
In the trees above the roof, cockatoos start chattering early in the morning and a gecko moves nimbly over the insect screen that makes up the three walls of the bedroom. It’s quite possible to wake up in the middle of a herd of buffalo. Yet privacy is maintained at all times, because the large bed is not visible from the outside.
![An der Wand erkennt man den Grund, warum in der Nacht keine Mücke lästig geworden ist: Zufrieden wandert ein Gecko über das von außen unsichtbare Fliegengitter, aus dem die ganze Wand besteht / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2816-bamurru-p69m07-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Die Sonne geht auf und in den Bäumen werden die Kakadus wach / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2888-bamurru-p69m0g-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Idyll mit Känguru: Büffelherde vor dem Schlafzimmer / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_3139-buffalo-p69m11-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
Part of the unpretentious concept is also the restriction to the essentials. Hot water in the shower is just as much a matter of course as the well-stocked bar, which is open to guests at all times. The guest quickly notices that it is not a restriction of comfort to use (solar) energy carefully in such a remote location. And also otherwise the burden on the environment is kept to a minimum. One looks in vain for a television, minibar or a kettle in the bungalows. In the main house there is a lobby with bar, library and the water in the swimming pool on the terrace seems to reach up to the buffalo herds.
![Der gut gelaunte Koch heißt Madé, stammt aus aus Bali und ist seit Jahren Küchenchef der Bamuru Plains Lodge und für viele der gut betuchten Gäste ein guter Grund, hier her zu kommen. Manch einer hat ihn schon für eigene Festlichkeiten gebucht / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2795-buffalo-p69m05-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Every evening, all the guests sit together at the big table, share their experiences of the day and are surprised by what local delicacies the chef from Bali has prepared for them in the open kitchen. Madé combines typical Australian products into sophisticated recipes and adds the culinary kick to the inspiring day’s experiences at the dinner table.
A dedicated team takes care of the guests
You think you’ve seen the waiters and waitresses before, and really: during the day, one or the other has accompanied the various ventures, all of which are offered at no additional cost. During the day the employees change between different activities as guides, boat drivers or craftsmen.
![Die Büffelfarm, auf deren Gelände sich die Bamurru Plains Lodge befindet, erstreckt sich über 300 Quadratkilometer und lässt sich gut auf Quads erfahren / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/di_9652-quad-p69m1a-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Justin is our companion on a quad excursion over the extensive area of the buffalo ranch. As a Rammstein fan, he is happy to see German tourists. He is, like many Australians, an enthusiastic surfer. Because of the crocodiles, however, he cannot indulge in this hobby in the Northern Territory. The employees of Bamurru Plains Lodge work every day for two weeks and then have a week off. He regularly uses this free time for trips to the best surf beaches in Bali or to the Gold Coast in New South Wales.
![Durch das Gras vor den Büffeln schlängelt sich eine Olivepython. Diese Schlangen sind ungiftig und können bis zu vier Metern lang werden / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/di_9639-buffalo-p69m17-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Committed to the well-being of guests
Because the number of guests at Bamurru Plains is limited, there is no need for a fixed entertainment program. In the evening, guests spontaneously discuss with the team what they want to do the next day. But one thing is for sure. Accompanying persons are available at any time, who are familiar with the area, the vehicles but also with the dangers that have to be overcome. Buffalo, crocodiles and snakes are always good for a surprise. But since the existence of the lodge it has happened only once that someone was bitten by a snake. Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage, against explicit advice, returned to his bungalow without a flashlight and overlooked a poisonous snake on the way. With the quickly summoned airplane he could be flown out to Darwin and well cared for in the hospital.
![Ein Propellerboot ist für die Fortbewegung in Sümpfen ideal / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2753-airboat-p69kyy-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x576.jpg)
Excursion into the swamps
We decided to take a tour with the airboat. The extensive swamp areas around the Swim River are best reached with such a propeller boat. Sam, our 19-year-old pilot, finds his way perfectly in the seemingly impenetrable wilderness.
![Aufgeregt hebt eine Spaltfußgans ab / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2569-buffalo-p69kyk-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
![An den auf ihnen sitzenden Kuhreihern sind Wasserbüffel schon von weitem zu erkennen / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2480-buffalo-p69ky9-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Bei langsamer Fahrt gleitet das Boot still durch den Wald. Die für Australien so typischen Eukalyptusbäume haben sich an die jährlich wiederkehrenden Überflutungen während der Regenzeit angepasst / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2650-buffalo-p69kym-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
![Der Frieden täuscht, obwohl man sie sogar aus der Nähe nicht sofort erkennt; Salzwasserkrokodile können blitzschnell attackieren / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2701-buffalo-p69kyr-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
Sam stops his propeller boat a few hundred meters away at a lotus plant, whose stem he breaks off. A viscous liquid flows out and quickly hardens in the air. The thread becomes solid within a very short time and can be woven into very strong cords. The aboriginals, for example, have also taken advantage of these properties by using such threads like dental floss.
![Sam greift ein Lotusblatt, bricht den Stengel durch und zieht aus dem Pflanzensaft einen Faden lang / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/di_9536-buffalo-p69kyc-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Dank des nach diesen Pflanzen benannte Lotuseffektes lassen sich die Blätter auch als Trinkgefäß benutzen / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/di_9550-buffalo-p69kyf-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
![Das australische Blatthühnchen wird auch Jesusvogel oder Lotusbird genannt, weil es durch seine langen Hinterzehen leicht auf Wasserpflanzen laufen kann / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2674-buffalo-p69kyp-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Morning walk
The next day, on foot and not protected by a vehicle, we get to feel the Australian wilderness again from a completely different side. How should one behave when a buffalo cow wants to protectively defend her offspring? “By no means run away,” says Sam, “because no human is a match for the buffalo’s speed.”
![Bei der Begegnung mit Wasserbüffeln hilft gegenseitiger Respekt. Wichtig ist, dass sich die Tiere nicht in die Enge getrieben fühlen / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2272-buffalo-p69ky3-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
![Abwehrbereite Wasserbüffelfamilie / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2297-buffalo-p69ky6-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Die Wappentiere Australiens - Kängurus sind neugierig - aber in ihrer Aggressivität auch nicht zu unterschätzen / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2842-bamurru-p69m0e-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Bush safari in an off-road vehicle with Emma
All guides have their own talents. Emma Waters is currently writing a book about environmental management and you can see her great interest in the practical details. Again and again she leaves the track, finds small rare plants and animals, whose peculiarities she can explain
![Bei der Buschsafari achtet Emma auf viele kleine Dinge. Hier zeigt sie kleine Früchte, aus denen Strychnin, ein Gift und Dopingmittel, gewonnen werden kann / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bb_7920-bamurru-p69m0k-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Die ungiftige Andreaskreuzspinne heißt so, weil sie mit acht paarförmig wie ein Andreaskreuz angeordneten Beinen in ihrem Netz auf Beute wartet / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2913-bamurru-p69m0p-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
![Am Ende der Safari werden Canapes und kühle Getränken auf der Ladefläche des Geländefahrzeugs serviert und als zünftiger Sundowner zelebriert / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2964-bamurru-p69m0t-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
![Jede Minute eine neue Farbkomposition beim Sonnenuntergang am Mary River / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_2986-bamurru-p69m0w-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
Avoiding the superfluous shows effect
Bumurru Plains Lodge gives the discerning guest the most immediate experience far from the hustle and bustle of the world. Every guest can, without having to work as hard as in those days, follow the procedures that were necessary at the time when the first settlers established themselves here, .
![Keine goldenen Wasserhähne sondern Geborgenheit fernab der Metropolen verkörpert jedes Detail der Bamurru Plains Lodge / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_3067-bamurru-p69m10-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x683.jpg)
![Einrichtungsgegenstände aus der Zeit der Pioniere gehen zusammen mit der edlen Reinigungslotion eine Verbindung ein, die provoziert und gleichzeitig den Erfahrungshorizont erweitert / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_3207-bamurru-p69m1f-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x742.jpg)
In Bamurru Plains, one feels transported to a world that couldn’t be further from our densely populated Germany, yet can be quickly reached by modern transportation. So after the relaxing days, which seem to have flown by, it is time to say goodbye. On the bush runway the small airplane has already landed, which brings us back to Darwin.
![Nicht nur das Gepäck wird gewogen. Alle Passagiere bekommen in der Cessna 210 ihren Sitzplatz nach dem Gewicht zugewiesen, das sie auf die Waage bringen. Je besser das Gewicht verteilt ist, desto stabiler liegt später die Maschine in der Luft / © Foto: Georg Berg](https://tellerrandstories.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ea_3215-bamurru-p69m1j-eyeturner-georg-berg-1024x791.jpg)
Travel advice: Australia for European tourists
The research trip was supported by the Northern Territory Tourism Office