The CascadesBULLO RIVER STATIONThis far-flung, untamed station in the farreaches of Australia's wild Northern Territory isthe Outback at its quintessential best. Stretchingover half a million acres of grassy dust plains,crossed by bronze, twisted rivers and fleckedwith gnarled, leathery boab trees it is home to8,500 Brahman-cross cattle. The station isencircled by the Victoria River, with dramaticescarpments inscribed with rock art, and waterscrammed with barramundi and crocodiles. Wildbuffalo, dingoes and mobs of wallabies roamthe plains, whilst native and migratory birds lendcolour and sound to what is already impressivecountry. Reaching Bullo by light aircraft fromDarwin or Kununurra you fly over a panoramaof jagged escarpments and rivers before landingon the station's airstrip by the homestead. Forthe adventurous with time to spare, you canalso reach the station by road - 500 miles,mostly on dirt, with the station's driveway itselfbeing some fifty miles long. The distances beingall part of an authentic Outback experience.40Bullo River HomesteadAlthough a rugged working station, guests at thehomestead are treated to plenty of Outbackcomforts. The twelve modern ensuite guestroomsare spacious and set in the surrounds of the familyhome, and you are welcome to share the sprawlinghomestead and small swimming pool, ideal forwashing off the dust after a day outdoors. Fresh fishand prime, grass-fed beef feature prominently onthe dinner menus: barramundi cooked in paperbarkover hot coals is an Aboriginal speciality andsomething of a Bullo trademark. Marlee and Franzoffer an informal, entertaining stay, recountingstories of the station life and its history, and we feelBullo River Station certainly adds a colourful andfascinating dimension to a visit to Australia.STATION LIFE The charming hosts at Bullo River Station areMarlee, who was brought up on the farm, andher Austrian-born husband Franz. With theiryoung children, they thrive on their life here andlike nothing more than inviting guests to sharein the daily home and station life. Guests at thisworking station gain a front-seat view, frombuilding fences to seasonal cattle mustering,dealing with washed-away roads and wild cattlewreaking havoc. You have the option toparticipate as much or as little as you wish, soyou may find yourself learning the Aussiebushcraft of cracking a bullwhip or helping torope cattle. Novice fisherman are guaranteedaction pitching their wits against Australia'sfamous fighting fish, the barramundi, or youcan take a rock art cruise along the river in thecompany of a local guide. When Franz isn'tusing his helicopter to muster cattle there isperhaps the chance of an aerial view of thisuntouched land.Bullo River HomesteadCattle musteringView over the Bullo River Station

NORTHERN TERRITORYTHE TOP END |41The Devil's MarblesTHE EXPLORER HIGHWAYThe 1,500 kilometres that separate Darwin inthe Top End from Alice Springs in the RedCentre cross different climates and ways of life.Following the path created by the first pioneersand the telegraph line of 1870, this previouslydusty, ragged track is now a two-lane highwaythrough the heart of the continent. FromDarwin, Katherine is a natural first stop followedby a visit to the hot springs of Mataranka in theElsey National Park. The pub at Daly Waters hasheld its 'galleon licence' since 1893, and dripswith memorabilia dating back to its days as animportant staging post for early aviators.Tennant Creek straddles the highway, while 100kilometres further are the Devil's Marbles - awonderful series of granite boulders littering thehighway that the Warumungu people believe tobe the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. Hotelstandards are rather simple, yet visiting one ofthe Outback communities and staying in atypical Australian roadhouse is likely to find youengrossed in yarns spun by the locals, adding adifferent dimension to your experience.tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK At the centre of this magnificent national park isKatherine Gorge. Often seen as 13 separategorges, it is in fact one continuous fissurecarved by the Katherine River, twisting andturning. The river is hemmed by craggy, vibrantorange walls adorned by rock art and the wholearea is home to an abundance of birdlife as wellas the occasional skulking freshwater crocodile.For solitude you can hire a canoe and paddleyour way through as many of the turns as yourenergy allows, or there are a number of boattrips of varying length. Bushwalkers arewelcomed and there are a network of walkingtracks. At Leliyn, a five kilometre walk leadsaround a forested pool to the pretty Edith Fallswhich cascades into three refreshing swimmingholes. For avid walkers, the 66 kilometre JatbulaTrail across the park to Edith Falls is known asone of Australia's most awesome hikes. Thetown of Katherine is around 30 kilometres fromthe park and is the ideal base from which toexplore the area. The accommodation standards,however, can be somewhat limited.Edith FallsOutbackLifeFrom Darwin, explore lovely Litchfield National Parkand then venture into the Outback by light aircraftto Bullo River Station at the edge of the NorthernTerritory. Discover rare Aboriginal rock art, try yourhand at cattle mustering or just relax and enjoy theexperience of visiting this vast Outback land.Day 1:Arrive in Darwin with the rest of the dayfree to explore.Day 2:Join a day trip into the beautiful LitchfieldNational Park with its waterfalls, gorgesand freshwater pools. Day 3:Leave Darwin on a spectacular scenicflight over remote coastline to Bullo RiverStation, one of Australia's largest workingcattle farms. Day 4:Most activities at the homestead areincluded, with station hands and guideshappy to accompany you fishing forbarramundi, spotting crocodiles in theriver or searching for rock art.Day 5:A further day to explore the sights.Day 6:After breakfast return to Darwin.EXTENSIONSExplore more of the Outback by taking a helicopterfrom Bullo River Station to the mysterious Purnululu(Bungle Bungle) National Park in Western Australia,join a journey along the Gibb River Road to Broomeor board The Ghan train that travels from Darwin toAlice Springs through the magnificent Red Centre.For those looking for the freedom of the open road,self-drive the Explorer Highway through the heart ofthe continent, offering insights into remote Outbacklife with the chance to see Katherine Gorge and theDevil's Marbles along the way.Katherine Gorge