Acclaimed chef, James Viles hosts culinary safari at Bamurru Plains 16-19 June 2025

Multi-hatted Australian chef and restaurateur James Viles, celebrated for his commitment to sustainability, will return to Northern Territory luxury safari camp, Bamurru Plains to host a ‘Wild Tastes of the Top End’ culinary safari to showcase regional native foods from 16-19 June 2025.

‘Wild Tastes of the Top End’ is a three-night, four-day, hands-on culinary safari offering a mix of foraging experiences and a curated menu featuring locally sourced produce and native ingredients that are distinct to this Australian Top End habitat and ecosystem.

Chef and host, James Viles, has been a regular visitor to Bamurru Plains over several years and draws inspiration for his menus from the land. He is renowned for an approach to food that promotes a sustainable and respectful food culture – an ethos shared by Bamurru Plains. The culinary safari menu will feature dishes utilising locally sourced ingredients such as wild duck, buffalo rib, threadfin salmon and crocodile.

“For me, the most exciting aspect of the Wild Tastes of the Top End experience is the vast and diverse amount of ingredients accessible in that part of Australia,” said James Viles. “It really is its own eco-system, and there’s no other way to be closer to Australia’s finest native and wild ingredients than at Bamurru Plains.”

Guests will also be able to explore the 300-square kilometres of floodplain and savannah woodlands that border Kakadu National Park through airboat and 4WD safaris and unearth the natural beauty and rich diversity of this unique Northern Territory food bowl.

Itinerary Overview ~

Day One
Scenic air transfer departs Darwin early afternoon, landing thirty minutes later at Bamurru Plains’ private airstrip. Guests will enjoy a warm Wild Bush Luxury greeting, and in the evening, a welcome dinner hosted by James Viles and the Bamurru Plains team.

Day Two
Guests will enjoy the airboat and overland 4WD safari adventures, experiencing the rich Top End landscape and its abundant wildlife. Sundowners in the afternoon, before feasting on a bush camp-out dinner under the outback stars prepared by James Viles.

Day Three
Guests journey deep into the property with a hands-on foraging experience led by James and the Bamurru Plains culinary team. Farewell feast hosted by James and Bamurru Plains’ General Manager, Matthew Bowen.

Day Four
Guests can enjoy a final sunrise safari or a morning at leisure before departing Bamurru Plains. A scenic route home over the Adelaide River will bring guests back in Darwin by lunchtime.

Prices start from $6,275 per person, twin share, in a Safari Bungalow. The Wild Tastes of the Top End is a three-night, four-day itinerary offering bespoke menus, hands-on culinary experiences, guided wilderness experiences, three nights’ accommodation, all-inclusive meals and beverages and return charter flights from Darwin to Bamurru Plains.

Your all-inclusive package includes:

  • Three nights’ luxury safari bungalow accommodation
  • Exclusive hands-on culinary experiences
  • Menu curated by James Viles
  • Guided wilderness adventures
  • Return charter flights from Darwin to Bamurru Plains

James Viles is currently the Culinary Director at the Park Hyatt Sydney. Prior to that his acclaimed Biota Dining in Bowral in the Southern Highlands was one of the most awarded regional restaurants in NSW. His menus are deeply connected to the land, gathering inspiration from his travels across Australia including Bamurru Plains – a destination he has visited many times over several years.

For further information, click here.

To book, visit www.bamurruplains.com, email bamurru@wildbushluxury.com or call 1300 997 194 or +61 2 9030 6313.