The coastal floodplains of northern Australia are home to prolific bird and wildlife (Australia’s answer to the Okavango Delta). Dominated by the climatic extremes of the tropical monsoon, the wetlands and savannah woodlands that fringe the coastal regions between Darwin and Kakadu National Park, the floodplains of the Mary River catchment form one of the most significant ecosystems in Australia and home to an extraordinary 236 bird species.

An airboat safari at Bamurru Plains is the ultimate way to experience this vibrant ecosystem. It’s also one of the best opportunities for birdwatching in the region — and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Flocks of Magpie geese, Plumed Whistling-ducks, Egrets, Ibis and more will take flight, sometimes in their thousands!

Glide through fields of lotus lilies and enchanting paperbark forests, or float silently beneath towering melaleuca trees as crocodiles slip through the grasses. Along the way, your expert guide shares stories of the land and demonstrates traditional uses of local flora, offering meaningful insight into the natural rhythms of the Top End.