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A simple camp that features ancient rock art, wildlife, bird watching, indigenous culture, fishing and bushwalking.  Arnhem Land remains one of Australia’s least visited wilderness areas, its boundaries protected not only by the Arnhem Land escarpment and some of the most remote and inaccessible coastline in the country, but also by the fact that is was the one part of the country that was not truly settled by Europeans in the 19th century. Max Davidson’s camp at Mt. Borradaile is a unique wilderness experience. His days of hunting buffalo in the Top End now over, Max has maintained the feel of a true bush camp amongst the savannah trees on the edge of Arnhem Land. Arnhem Land, one of Australia’s last untouched wildernesses, is Aboriginal owned land and the number of visitors is strictly limited. Max has spent much of his life in the area and his intimate relationship with the local owners of the land enables visitors to experience a pristine wilderness seen by few others. When the floods recede at the end of the wet season, a profusion of birds converges on the wetlands, with thousands of magpie geese nesting in the reeds, and with freshwater fishing of the highest quality – barramundi sashimi is a house speciality. Mt. Borradaile’s greatest attraction and Max’s real passion is the Aboriginal art that adorns many of the caves in the sandstone country.  Sitting in a rock art gallery and staring up at the colours and shapes that have been painted over the centuries, while around you lies the evidence of thousands of years of Aboriginal occupation, is an encounter that opens your mind to the depth of history and culture that often lies hidden in modern Australia. Arnhem Land is a vast wilderness area of 97,000 sq km, edged by Van Diemen’s Gulf in the west, the Arafura Sea to the north and the Gulf of Carpentaria to the east. The region is dominated by the ‘Stone Country’, the ancient sandstone Arnhem Land plateau, weathered over millions of years. This country is strongly Aboriginal land and has remained so throughout the period of European settlement and to protect the area and the indigenous culture, access is strictly limited. The climate patterns are dominated by the tropical monsoon, which dumps massive quantities of water on the land during the wet season (November to March) with torrential rains washing off the Arnhem Land plateau and into the low lying floodplains. The rains regenerate the land in an annual cycle of environmental rebirth. From April onwards the waters retreat, the skies are consistently blue and the land becomes parched.  The extreme climate patterns and varied habitats mean that Arnhem Land and nearby Kakadu are home to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna, with some 280 bird species, 60 mammal, 120 reptile, 25 frog and thousands of insect species to be found in the region. FACILITIES Style Wilderness Camp Accommodation 12 tents are spread through a clear in the savannah bush, with each tent furnished with simple comforts (2 beds, 2 chairs and a bedside table and lamps). Shared bathroom facilities are a short walk from your tent.  Central to the camp is the iron-roofed living area and mess dining area, where guests gather in the evening. Designed as a wilderness camp, the facilities are simple and rewards are ultimately in the pristine natural environment. Dining Meals are of a high standard, especially the Barramundi caught and cooked fresh. Dinners are casual, convivial affairs that can last well into the night.  Limited alcoholic beverages are available in camp though not included in the rate.  Picnic lunches are packed for long morning excursions from camp and breakfast is taken as and when you are in camp. Children Children are welcome at the camp although it is not recommended for very young children (below 6) as there are no facilities for occupying/looking after them. Activities / Facilities Mt.Borradaile contains excellent examples of Aboriginal art with a labyrinth of caves containing paintings showing the spiritual and daily life of Aboriginal people over 50,000 years as well as interaction with Macassans, who visited these shores to harvest trepang (sea slugs) in the 19th century. The guided walks also include information on bush tucker and Aboriginal life and an insight into this very ancient country. Barramundi fishing in the billabong is excellent. All fishing is on a catch & release basis, except when required for the dining table and rods and tackle can be provided in camp. The nearby billabong, Cooper Creek, is an outstanding bird sanctuary. Birds seen are predominantly wetland birds – egrets, ibis, herons, jacanas, kingfishers, kites, sea eagles although savannah species may also be found – treecreepers, cuckoo-shrikes, honeyeaters, red-winged parrots, red-backed wrens. The billabongs and surrounding country also harbour a huge variety of wildlife including Euros (wallaroos), goannas, water monitors, water pythons and saltwater crocodiles. Also nearby is perhaps the best freshwater swimming hole to be found in Australia. A swim will reveal Azure and Forest Kingfishers, honeyeaters, rufous whistlers, leaden flycatchers, friarbirds, to name a few. Location Located on the East Alligator River, adjoining Kakadu National Park, the camp is a 50 minute light aircraft flight from Darwin (the strip will take twin aircraft) or a 4 hour drive.  During wet season months, the camp is only accessible by air. Guests are met at the strip by a camp vehicle for the 300 yard drive back to camp. Price Range Per night prices are available on request & are inclusive of accommodation, charter flights, meals and activities. Find Similar Properties