Australia. Dall'Oceano all'Outback

The World Heritage Area of the Ningaloo Coast provides one of Australia’s great marine experiences, whilst the limestone backdrop of the Cape Range hides deep gorges of spectacular beauty. A good understanding of the wildlife and our spectacular location are revealed to you as our expert and passionate guides provide interpretation. This understanding, and our soft touches in camp, add up to a magical bush experience.

In 2016 Sal Salis will open its season with a new and very exciting addition – an ocean going, luxury launch. This will enable us to extend the welcoming hospitality you feel in Camp to our own whale shark & humpback whale swim experiences.

‘Wave Rider’ is a Black Watch 40 and was custom built in Queensland, for Australian conditions. She combines safety and reliability with sea-going ability, comfortable interiors and a spacious back deck.

‘Wave Rider’s’ interiors include two private cabins, a complete bathroom with hot & cold shower and a beautiful galley from which we will serve delicious snacks and lunches. She also has a spacious saloon so that if conditions are rough – you’ll be sipping your beverage in style and comfort.

Each year between April and July these slow-moving, gentle, filter-feeding giants migrate past Ningaloo Reef. The world’s biggest fish can grow to lengths of 12 metres or more and has a healthy appetite in order to sustain its immense size. Fortunately for most sea-dwellers (and for us) they feed primarily on plankton and krill, taking in huge gulps of water and filtering out their microscopic meal.

Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm oceans world-wide and can live to almost 70 years. Snorkelling alongside their huge 1.5 metre-diameter mouths is a once in a lifetime experience! Scientists know little about these creatures but you can identify individuals by looking at their unique spots, similar to fingerprints in humans. Ningaloo is one of the only places in the world whale sharks appear regularly in large numbers, with over 235 individuals recorded. Each year scientists photograph the whale sharks as they pass through our area and some have been identified as having visited Ningaloo for 17 years and counting

In 2016, for the first time ever, the West Australian government has awarded travellers to Sal Salis the opportunity to swim with Humpback whales from 01 August to 31 October each year. For Swim with Humpback Whale packages

Humpback whales (Metaptera novaeangliae) are one of the larger baleen whale species and adults range in length from 12 to 16 mtrs (39 to 52 ft). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is well known for breaching and other surface behaviours. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time; parts of this song are audible to human ears in the water.

From June to November an estimated 30,000 humpback whales migrate along the Ningaloo Coast on their way to and from their breeding and birthing grounds in Exmouth Gulf and sheltered waters north as far as the Kimberley.

Mandu Mandu Gorge is located 2km behind camp and is a step back in geological history with fossil bearing limestone formations and spectacular views back to the coast and over the Ningaloo Reef. The history of 30,000 years of human habitation in this area is slowly unfolding from studies of artefacts, middens and rock shelters found among the Acacia trees, spinifex, kurrajong and rock fig.

Records have been found of two, possibly three Aboriginal groups occupying the Ningaloo Coast, with the Jinigudira people thought to have inhabited the areas along and adjacent to the northern end of Cape. Evidence of the historical Aboriginal occupation is found throughout the Cape Range, with over 100 sites being identified and the Baiyungu people still have a strong presence in the area today.

Walking through the gorge provides an to spot the black-footed rock wallaby – these timid creatures tend to seek shelter on ledges along the gorge walls resting during daylight hours and coming out to feed later, in the cool of the night.

Guided forays across the Reef reveal an array of colourful reef residents – fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and corals. Kayaks are the perfect vessel for exploring the reef and you will be shown how to do so without interference to the ecosystem.

Our guided kayak-snorkels on the reef take you further off shore where we drop an anchor in the sand to snorkel some of the deeper lagoons. The lagoons in the Reef are some of the best snorkelling spots, they showcase the life-cycle of the reef as well as marine life interaction. Look out for soft corals, sponges, wobbegong sharks and hundreds of marine fish. Between August and October, you’ll see humpback whales migrating along the coast, just metres beyond the Reef.

Ningaloo Reef is recognised as the premier game fishing destination in Western Australia. Few places in the world offer the ability to hook famous species such as Black, Blue and Stripped Marlin, Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and Sailfish regularly.

Ningaloo Reef is also one of the few places worldwide where one can catch such a variety and abundance of billfish species throughout all 12 months of the year.

Ningaloo Reef is a fisherman’s playground with some of the most sought after reef fishing species on offer. Wrestle with Coral Trout, Red Emperor, North West Snapper, Groper and much more. The coral reef is located only 100 metres off shore at its nearest point and less than seven kilometres at its furthest. Anglers on the Ningaloo Reef catch an abundance of reef fish year round.

A short distance from the camp and outside the National park, the coastal shallows provide the best conditions for Australia’s only bone-fish fishery. The reef forms a giant lagoon with extensive shallow sand flats and crystal clear water.

As the water warms up from late September through the summer and autumn, the Permit turn up on the Bone-fish flats in bigger numbers. There are no other flats in Australia where you can cast at Bone-fish and Permit, expecting to catch either!

We will be happy to book full and half day fishing charters from Sal Salis; to ensure we have a boat & guide available please arrange fishing at the time of booking your accommodation. Please note if you would like to fly fish you will need to either bring your own gear with you or have us book a local bone-fishing expert.

We are committed to the sustainable fishing practice of catch and release.

Bamurru’s signature experience is a thrilling ride across the floodplains by airboat. This wildlife-packed journey takes you from wide open grasslands to a lagoon surrounded by peeling paper bark trees. Feel the rush as you skim the surface at speed then float in silence listening to the sound of nothing but the bush.

The floodplain wetlands of the Mary River catchment are the key natural feature of this area and some of the most important in the country, home to thousands of Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Egrets, Ibis and a host of other birds. These beautiful birds will take flight as you zip across the floodplains on your airboat, flocks sometimes thousands of birds strong!

Our guides will provide you with a hands on demonstration of the many uses of the flora from the wetlands whilst floating amongst a forest of melaleuca trees or looking out for crocodiles slowly swimming amongst the grasses of the floodplain. A morning trip out on the floodplains in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this environment.

The Mary River catchment is home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. The significance of this particular property comes in the variety of habitat: black soil floodplains, paperbark swamps, savannah woodland, river mangroves and coastal beaches support an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. Even in the dry season the floodplains on the property still retain large areas of water where the birdlife congregate in extroadinary numbers rarely seen elsewhere in Australia.

The birding spectacle on the Swim Creek floodplain and surrounding Mary River region is second to none in the Top End due to both the extraordinary volume and variety of birdlife and Bamurru’s 300km2 allows birding groups a private and exclusive experience. At particular times of the year, the floodplain will host hundreds of thousands of Magpie Geese and species that are associated with the life cycle of the geese, particularly raptors.

The richness of the floodplain also supports dense populations of other waterbirds, with thousands of egrets, whistling ducks, jacanas, crakes and strong populations of jabiru, brolgas and raptors. The surrounding paperbark swamps and savannah woodland provide a huge diversity of species for keen birders.

The Sampan Creek, which is part of the Mary River System, forms the western boundary of the station. During the dry season (May-October) the crocodiles will regulate their body temperatures by basking on the banks in the sunlight. During these months, the numbers of crocs sunning themselves will give you an idea of the size of the population.

It’s not just the crocodiles, many bird species call this mangrove lined environment home. Relax in the shade provided on our canopy covered cruise as you meander along this creek system, learning about these animals from our skilled guides and enjoying sunset canape’s as the light begins to fade.

One of the best ways to see the variety of wildlife that teems here is on an open-top game drive, more akin to an African safari across the savannah.

With the recession of the waters from much of the floodplain in the dry season, the plains become accessible to 4X4 vehicles and a journey out with one of our guides will provide a unique insight to this fragile yet very important environment.

Our open sided safari vehicles feature shaded canopies with comfortable and raised seating to provide the best possible vantage point to view agile wallabies, estuarine crocodiles, wild horses, buffalo’s and some of the 236 bird species on the property.

Our guides will describe the Aboriginal uses for some of the local flora and fauna while you enjoy a cool drink and bite to eat.

A guided walking safari at Bamurru is the perfect antidote to a busy life. You’re compelled to slow down and absorb the sights and sounds of the bush, understanding how every element has its place. At this pace, nature has a way of showing you what’s important.

Look for ant trails that criss cross the ground at your feet, or the birds calling up in the tree tops before settling in for morning tea amongst the beauty which is Bamurru.

Head out with our guides away from the main lodge on a short drive before continuing on foot learning the Indigenous uses for the various plants and animals on Bamurru or learning how to track different wildlife through the forest.

Walking safaris are individually tailored to your interests and tend to be run in the latter part of the dry season.

Raised 6 metres above the ground in the tree canopy, the 24m2 screened platform allows a unique perspective on this fragile environment. The Hide is the ultimate eyrie from which birdlife and other wildlife can be observed undisturbed in their natural habitat.You will have a 360º view overlooking the Mary River floodplain, canopy and background woodland.

Perfect for photographic or ornithological groups as well as individuals, adjustable flaps allows cameras and binoculars to be focussed on the surrounding wildlife, birdlife and floodplains and there’s a Nikon Prostaff fieldscope has been fitted for maximum visibility.

Criss-crossing between floodplain savannah, monsoonal forests and dry, open areas dotted with termite mounds alongside buffalo and brumbies, explore Bamurru from the wheel of your own quad bike.

This leisurely safari will take you to areas inaccessible by our regular 4WD vehicles, while our knowledgeable field guides lead you to some of our favourite secret spots.

While technically not a real activity, some of our guests prefer to do absolutely nothing. The best bit is that the wildlife will come to you. Watch hundreds of birds take flight from around the infinity-edge pool, see buffalo roam and Agile wallabies hop past your bungalow as you wake to sounds of thousands of Magpie Geese. If all you want to do is switch off, chill out and get away from the hustle and bustle of life then Bamurru is one of the best places in the world to do it.

Just a short hop 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.

Travelling with Wild Bush Luxury’s field guides in our custom built vehicle, your day will include a scenic flight into Kakadu, 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.

Included on a shared basis on the Ultimate Kakadu Experience package, also available to be booked at $750 per person subject to availability on Tuesdays and Fridays.