Bullo River Station

Remote, wild and visually stunning with Outback activities galore and perfect hosts, this half million acre working cattle property in the far north-west corner of the Northern Territory, is the quintessential Australian Outback Station.

Your arrival by light aircraft charter (90 minutes from Darwin or 30 minutes from Kununurra) captures the sheer scale and beauty of this extraordinary Australian outpost where your hosts, Marlee and Franz Ranacher (née Henderson) and their two sons, will extend a warm Outback welcome. Bullo River is a working station complete with horses, four wheel drives, helicopters and a colourful crew of stockmen - and you will gain a fascinating insight into the daily workings of Outback station life.

The scenery here is stunning – the mighty Bullo River meanders for over 50 miles through a spectacular valley on the station – and gorges, crystal clear swimming holes, waterfalls, termite mounds and boab trees dot the landscape. The property has an abundance or wildlife and birdlife including crocodiles which lurk on the muddy river banks and butterflies after which the river and station are named (‘Bullo’ means butterfly in the local Aboriginal language).

Days at Bullo can be spent as you please – cruise down the gorge in a boat, fish for barramundi on a lovely stretch of the Bullo River (the station has some of the best barramundi fishing in Australia), spot crocodiles in the hovercraft with Franz, horse-ride, visit some of Bullo’s fascinating aboriginal rock art sites or helicopter to a stunning freshwater (crocodile free) swimming hole for a refreshing dip.

Station life and stunning Top End scenery aside, Bullo River Station is also a literary experience – the property provided the inspiration for one of Australia’s best-selling authors, Sara Henderson (Marlee’s mother), whose stories of the trials and tribulations of establishing and operating a cattle station with her American husband captured the heart of many Australians.

Accommodation is provided in 12 comfortable, air-conditioned double rooms with ensuite bathrooms, housed in a separate building just 30 metres from the main homestead – and there is also a small swimming pool. Dinners are especially memorable – an informal affair served in the homestead, frequently including free-range prime beef and freshly-caught barramundi cooked in paperbark over hot coals.

PRICES Prices from £340 per person per night including all meals and station activities (excluding helicopter flights). The light aircraft charter from Darwin or Kununurra is additional. Flights to Australia vary in price considerably depending on date of departure though there are always good deals on quality airlines. Fares on Qantas/British Airways, for example can start from as little as £699 including taxes and fuel surcharges. From April 2008, Qantas will be introducing its all-new Premium Economy cabin. With dedicated check in, 40" seat pitch, extra width and enhanced meal service, all this extra luxury comes at a suprisingly low upgrade cost. Please ask your sales consultant for more details.