Bullo River

Burke's Backyard recently visited Sara Henderson, author of the best selling book From Strength to Strength, on her property at Bullo River Station in the Kimberley region of the Northern Territory.

The countryside on the Bullo River Station is spectacular and full of interesting plants and animals. There are massive gorges along the river that create an oasis of lush trees and wildlife. Some of the typical plants and trees around the oasis include native figs, pandanus and fine leaf or weeping paperbarks (Melaleuca leucadendra) that flourish around the water's edge. The river is also tidal fed by the ocean, mixing fresh water with saltwater. So there is the risk of meeting saltwater crocodiles around the gorges and river area.

The Kimberley region was home to many Aboriginal people hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Around the Bullo River property there is evidence of their existence in the region. One rock in the middle of nowhere has Aboriginal paintings of a snake figure which has swallowed an animal, perhaps a wallaby. There is also evidence of them using riverstones as a millstone for grinding seeds to make flour. Remnants of the cooking area marked by charcoal in the rock shows where they held their barbecues.

A lone rock on the property is known as Sphinx rock by the Henderson family because it is shaped similarly to the famous Egyptian Sphinx near the giant pyramids. There are often kangaroos bounding around the rock. The desert areas on the property also boast many amazing plants such as the Baobab Tree (Adansonia gregorii) which are sometimes referred to as Bottle trees in the north but are not true Bottle trees. Baobab Trees lose their leaves in the dry season and have large woody pear-shaped fruit. The bulbous base of the tree stores water so that it can survive through the dry season and their appearance is like a tree that has been uprooted and shoved back in the ground with its roots in the air.

Another amazing feature of the Northern Territory is produced by the termites which build fascinating mounds like sculptures dotting the landscape. The termites play a critical role in recycling the organic material that feeds the vegetation. Lesley Lake on the property is home to an array of birdlife, including storks, pelicans and magpie geese. It is the perfect spot to capture the ruggedness and beauty of the Top End on camera.

Further information

It is possible to stay at Bullo River Station from April to October. For more information or to make a booking phone: (08) 9168 7375 or fax: (08) 9168 7374.

Further reading

Sara Henderson has sold over a million books in Australia. Her latest book, The Strength of our Dreams published by Pan MacMillan is the third and final autobiographical book in her Strength series, rrp $35. The other two titles; From Strength to Strength and The Strength in us all are still available for $22.95 each. Other titles include A Year at Bullo (rrp $22.95).

Copyright CTC Productions 2006