Voices From The North

Camp Oven Bush Tucker Event

2008-08-20T06:59:00.001+08:00

We recently had English journalist Fiona Dunlop stay with us for a new event – Camp Oven Bush Tucker.

Fiona and the other guests went on guided walks in search of bush foods and then we prepared them back at camp.

We used all sorts of ingredients including native lemon grass, bush passionfruit, rock figs and boabs.

The kangaroo stir fry was really popular, and so was the sticky date pudding with rock figs.

The guests caught a mangrove jack on a fishing trip which I wrapped in paper bark and cooked on the camp oven – really tender!

Fiona is writing a story about Faraway Bay for UK magazine Harpers and Queen so we’re looking forward to reading all about our bush tucker.

Steve McIntosh

Rare Birds

2008-08-13T11:07:00.001+08:00

It’s turning out to be a great season to see rare birds.

Bruce and one of our guests saw a pair of chestnut rails in the mangroves recently, and just the other day I spotted two red-backed king fishers.

I’ve never seen this bird before – they’re normally only on the east coast.

There was a pair of them by the billabong.

It’s very rare to see a red-backed king fisher in the Kimberley.

Steve McIntosh

Something’s Fishy

2008-08-06T10:23:00.000+08:00

We’ve found two rare species of fish and a rare crustacean near Faraway Bay – the Exquisite Rainbowfish, the false-spotted Gudgeon and an isopod.

We sent off samples to the University of WA’s School of Animal Biology and they’ve confirmed the species. The fish are also known by their Latin names of Melanotaenia exquisite and Mogurnda Oligolepis (bit of a mouthful!).

The isopod is a bit like a small prawn.

The Gudgeon is only found in the Kimberley, and only usually between the Berkeley and the Fitzroy Rivers

The Rainbowfish has only been recorded in the King George River in WA, as well as in parts of the Katherine, Edith, Mary, South Aligator and Fergusson Rivers in the Northern Territory.

We found both kinds of fish in the Gumboot Bay Creek.

Steve McIntosh

Chestnut Rails in the Mangroves

2008-06-21T07:18:00.000+08:00

Bird watchers love Faraway Bay.

They come from all over the place to see our native birds.

We’ve recently had a guest from Melbourne who was a real twitcher. I took her on a walk in the mangroves behind the beach and we couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw a pair of chestnut rails.

I’ve heard the birds calling for the last three days but hadn’t been able to spot them.

Chestnut rails are rare and they’re only found in tropical Australia and Indonesia.

Our guest was pretty excited, and I’ve got to say, so was I!

Bruce Ellison

Barefoot Bushman Pedicure Tips

2008-06-18T11:05:00.000+08:00

Our resident Barefoot Bushman, Steve McIntosh loves to go barefoot around the camp, so you can imagine the state of his feet!

Steve can fix just about anything and he knows how to survive in the bush.

So, when his feet are in need of mending his bush survival techniques are put to good use.

His pedicure tip for anyone going barefoot in the bush is to apply a little super glue to any cuts.

And, any rough patches he grinds off with an orbital sander (ie 60 grit sand-paper).

Steve reckons it’s very gentle, but probably not quite as effective as a trip to the beautician, which of course Steve wouldn’t do in a million years.

Robyn Ellison

Monty is back from the dead!

2008-05-27T12:41:00.001+08:00

Our friendly pet black foot monitor lizard called Monty (by Mirra our short-term cook) has returned, after running off for a few days.

Mirra was worried she’d killed him by feeding him so much, but it turns out he just went off to hibernate.

Once he’d shed his skin he was back and just in time too – he returned just 10 minutes before Mirra left so he obviously wanted to say goodbye.

When Mirra left he left too – probably thought his luck was up. But just the other day he was back again.

Now he wanders through whenever he feels like it, no doubt hoping to see his old mate Mirra and catch some kitchen scraps.

Steve McIntosh

Faraway Famous

2008-05-15T06:35:00.001+08:00

I’m really happy to be back at Faraway Bay again for another stint as head chef. I love it – nice people, beautiful surroundings and great local produce.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed is the cooking school with Chris Taylor, which is on this week. I’ve never met him before but I've picked up some great tips, and he's pretty cool.

The rumours are true – I’ve just released my first album called Further (which is available from itunes). It’s acoustic guitar and I recorded it with Ben Franz from the Waifs.

The National Australia Bank has bought four of the songs and they’re going to put it on an ad. I couldn’t really say no to something like that. I think the ads start on TV in August.

I do get the guitar out most nights at Faraway Bay, so if you’re staying, you might get a personal performance.

Sam Smith

Driving Us Batty!

2008-05-13T07:11:00.001+08:00

One thing for sure, you never know what nature will dish up next at Faraway Bay. This week, we found a massive colony of red fruit bats in the mangrove creek system. There must have been 3,000 bats there – that’s the biggest colony I’ve ever seen of red fruit bats in one place.

We were also lucky to spot a group of rare Irrawaddy dolphins – there were six in the group. It’s not common to see them and it’s usually hard to get up close, but we were sitting on the boat and they just swam right past us.

The old man of the sea, a giant male dugong has been in the bay a fair bit lately. He comes in every day, pops up his head and swims off. He must be more than 6 foot long, which is why the crocs don’t bother him.

Steve McIntosh

Faraway Bay is Open!

2008-05-09T11:47:00.005+08:00

After five months off including a whirlwind trip to Europe to attend an international tourism conference, followed by a double knee replacement operation for Bruce in Sydney, and then the national tourism award win in Canberra, we’re finally back in the place we love the most.

It’s been a hectic time making sure everything is ready for guests.

Bruce and I are so pleased to welcome a new face to the team, CC, whose real name is Denise but no one calls her that. I’ll let her explain how the nickname came about later. CC is Swiss, she dates our boat skipper Ben, and is a fantastic addition to our crew.

Of course, Faraway Bay wouldn’t be the magical place it is without manager Steve McIntosh who returns for his 7th season. Steve has been taking guests on bush walks and has some interesting finds – he’ll post some news about that soon.

Sam, our chef is also back for another stint, and we’re very happy he’s brought his guitar again. Sam keep guests entertained in the evenings with his beautiful acoustic guitar playing. The exciting news is he’s just released an album and four of the songs have been bought by National Australia Bank for their television advertising.

Life is good at Faraway Bay and we’re looking forward to a busy 2008 season.

Robyn Ellison

February the Wettest Ever!

2008-02-27T06:30:00.002+09:00

The Faraway Bay 2008 season is shaping up to be one of the most scenic ever with heavy rains breaking new weather records.

February has been the wettest on record with more than 400mm falling on the remote wilderness retreat.

When the Bush Camp opens in April, the might King George Falls will be thundering, giving guests an amazing opportunity to see the Kimberley region in all its majestic glory.

The record falls will help make the upcoming air safari with Best of the Kimberley a truly once in a lifetime experience for ten lucky guests who take part in the guided, seven-day tour.

Faraway Bay guests can also expect the landscape to be green and lush.

Nature Guide Book

2008-01-25T09:48:00.002+09:00

Guests will soon be able to take a specially made guide book with them on bush walks around Faraway Bay, led by manager Steve McIntosh.

Steve is spending the off-season preparing the book which describes the many species of native plants and animals that thrive in this outback environment.

During guided bush walks, guests often see lizards and prolific birdlife, as well as the occasional dingo, walleroo and rock wallaby.

Colonies of ring tailed possums are also commonly found around outcrops of rocks.

Native flowers and plants abound in this pristine slice of the Kimberley.

Grevillia, Hakia and Eucalyptus are among the most prolific throughout the area.

Steve’s guide book will help guests identify native plants and animals they see around Faraway Bay and learn more about the Australian outback.

Second Kimberley Cooking School

2008-01-16T13:45:00.003+09:00

So popular is Faraway Bay’s Kimberley Cooking School that we’ve set two dates for 2008 – May 12 to 16 and July 22 to 26.

From Australia’s most exotic kitchen, guests have the chance to learn tricks, tips and inside secrets from one of the country’s top chefs, Chris Taylor, who oversees several of Perth’s famous restaurants.

Chris says he can’t wait to get back to the East Kimberley and Faraway Bay.

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience that combines wonderful fresh local produce and a relaxed atmosphere.”

Places are limited to 12 guests per cooking school and bookings are open now by calling + 61 8 91691214

After the Wet

2008-01-16T13:37:00.002+09:00

Visitors will soon have a once in a lifetime chance to see the Kimberley region at its greenest when waterfalls are thundering after the wet season.

Best of the Kimberley has joined forces with Faraway Bay to offer an exclusive seven day guided tour for a maximum of 10 fortunate guests.

The tour will take in stunning wilderness areas including Mitchell Falls, Prince Regent River, King George Falls, Cockburn Ranges, Bungle Bungle range and Ord River.

The trip includes a two night stay at Faraway Bay where gourmet meals, sightseeing and excursions including boating to the magnificent twin falls on the King George River, fishing, and exploring ancient rock art, are included.

Very few people get to see the incredible landscape of the Kimberley at this special time of year.

When the King George falls are in full glorious flow, it is an amazing sight that really is a once in a lifetime experience.

The exclusive tour departs Saturday 19 April and concludes Saturday 26 April, 2008. Cost is $5808 per person twin share excluding air fares to and from Broome. Conditions apply. Places are strictly limited and can be booked by calling 1800 450 850.