AAA News
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You've Never Been This Far Away
Friday, 22 January 2010
Perched on a cliff top with uninterrupted views over the Timor Sea and just around the corner from where the King George River comes to an abrupt end sending fresh water thundering 80m down into the sea is one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
Pioneer cattle men, travellers, artists, travel journalists, novelists and poets have long been drawn to and obsessed with the Kimberley in Western Australia, a destination that always ranks highly on anyone’s “must visit” list.
The panorama of Faraway Bay from the Bush CampI would like to introduce you to one of my favourite places in Australia, in fact more to the truth, the World! Before I talk about the magnificence that is The Bush Camp at Faraway Bay (and we use the term ‘camp’ loosely), I must wind the clock back to set the scene as to how this place came to be…
It was 1986 and Bruce Ellison was working for an exploration company. It was hard work, moving around broken and virtually uncharted sandstone country on one of the most isolated coastlines in the world. No roads and frequent break downs made it slow going. On one such expedition Bruce was admiring the view when the seed of an idea was planted. After 10 years of hard work, and many people who said he was nuts and that it couldn’t be done - his dream was ready to open its doors.
Here is what Bruce has to say about his multi award winning ‘camp’:
“I love welcoming new guests to Faraway Bay, The Bush Camp. The beautiful East Kimberley has such a big impact on those who visit and explore the landscape. We chose Faraway Bay as the location for the Bush Camp because it truly is one of the most magnificent and remote sites in the region. Our guests love that there are no roads, no mobile phones and no televisions. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can truly get away from everyday life. More and more, people are looking for an escape that gives them the space to recuperate and reconnect with themselves – and they can find that at Faraway Bay.
There’s also plenty to see and do. We’re just a short boat ride away from the King George Falls which are in flood at the beginning of each season. It’s an amazing site and experience, especially when we pull the boat up beneath the falls so guests take a fresh shower like no other! The fishing here is incredible, as is the wildlife. We’ve also found many ancient rock art sites, as well as natural billabongs and deserted beaches.
I think Faraway Bay really embodies the spirit of the Kimberley. We’ve used mainly local materials – everything was brought in by sea on a barge, including some massive pylons that once supported the Wyndham Wharf and original telegraph poles from Halls Creek. We work closely with an archaeologist and traditional owner, especially on bush walks to see ancient rock art. And we take our commitment to the environment very seriously.
Our guests say the team at Faraway Bay makes the experience even more special. We love that our staff mingle with guests and help them get the most of their visit. That outback hospitality is one of the main reasons many of our guests return time and again. They love being able to experience such amazing natural beauty, in very comfortable and stylish surroundings.”
Bradshaw Rock Art The "Eagle Lodge"
AAA calls in at The Bush Camp at Faraway Bay numerous times throughout the year on the 14 day Flyaway Faraway Kimberley Style tour. Copies of the full itinerary are available by calling 1800 033 160 or visiting http://www.airadventure.com.au/tours_detail.asp?id=8Our guests repeatedly tell us that they “have never been so relaxed in all their lives” as they were at Faraway Bay – a pretty good recommendation by anyone’s standards!
By John Dyer & Bruce Ellison
John Dyer & Bruce Ellison on Faraway Bay's airfield -
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