Daly River Boat Ramp, tender awarded to local construction company
A favourite Top End fisho spot is about to get a $4.3 million makeover.
Northern Territory
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TOP END fishos will soon be enjoying a $4.35 million boat ramp carpark where they can leave their boat trailers and also gut and gill their fish before heading home.
The Daly River Boat Ramp tender is one step closer to becoming real with a tender awarded to local company Coleman’s Contracting and Earthmoving to construct the new car park and ablution facility.
Recreational Fishing Minister Paul Kirby said the upgrade would ensure Territorians and tourists could access the world class fishing destination.
“These upgrades are a big win for our local anglers as Daly River is one of the Territory’s most popular fishing spots,” Mr Kirby said.
Works are anticipated to commence this month and are expected to be complete by the end of the year.
To minimise disruptions, works will occur in stages which will delay the boat ramp closure until late in the dry season.
Boat ramp users will be directed to Banyan Farm boat ramp during any closure periods of the main public ramp.
Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory chief executive David Ciaravolo said the facilities upgrade would enhance the user experience of the iconic river.
“The upgrades planned for the Daly River carpark will improve safety and make this facility more inclusive and family friendly,” Mr Ciaravolo said.
The project is funded under the Territory Government’s $50 million RecFishing Futures Program.
For more information on the project, visit dipl.nt.gov.au
Luxury living cattle station
A NEW $1200-a-night luxury resort has opened on one of the Northern Territory’s famous cattle stations.
Finniss River Lodge on the 200 sqkm Finniss River Station, about 120km southwest of Darwin, promises a luxury getaway on some of the Territory’s most attractive country.
It’s a passion project for the Venturin family, third generation owners of Finniss River Station who have grazed Brahman cattle since 1987 but also wanted to share this remote part of the NT and Australia with a wider audience. But fortunately, not all at the one time. The maximum guest number is 12.
The lodge is a six suite complex with large ensuites, wide verandas and a wet-edge swimming pool with views overlooking the station.
To make the most of its setting and the light, the lodge is built predominantly from natural timbers with floor to ceiling picture windows and doors.
Chef Travis Crane will prepare a daily menu of locally inspired dishes cooked to guest preference.
A signature event will be Cows & Canapes where guests drink and dine while getting up close and personal with some of the Finniss Station team and the Brahmans.
The Lodge, which has Wi-Fi and mobile reception, will offer daily activities with experienced guides in a unique wilderness location 25-minutes charter flight and 90-minutes by car from Darwin and a short distance to Litchfield National Park.
Guests can absorb station life, take part in adventures, airboat rides or barramundi fishing.
Owner Robert Venturin said the landscape’s “surreal brilliance and beauty” changes constantly throughout the day culminating in intense, fiery sunsets.
“After what has been a couple of tough years for travel and tourism we feel honoured to be part of Australia’s renewal phase and with Finniss River Lodge’s allure of supreme quietude and relaxation or a spirited raft of adventurous activities it is the Northern Territory’s time to shine,” Mr Venturin said.
“Be it the discerning traveller seeking a bespoke experience to families in a quest for adventure, we just know our guests are going to love being here.”
Lodge director of operations Matthew Hurley said it will combine “five star” and “country”.
“Our service is ‘real’ and ‘genuine’, combining 5-star style with country hospitality,” he said.
“Our guests will get to meet personalities both from the working station and the local area.”
Prices for Finniss River Station will begin at $1200 per person inclusive of all meals, selected beverages, and activities, per day based on twin share accommodation.
Children six-years-old and over welcome.
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Traffic backed up almost 2km as rain, crashes cause Darwin road chaos
The return of wet weather to Darwin on Tuesday morning was met with frustration, after a couple of prangs forced commuters to a crawl along a major thoroughfare. WATCH.