Good morning class, today’s lesson is Bush Culture and History with Karla the Park Ranger at El Questro Wilderness Park.

Quiet at the back Perkins!   First off, we’re starting with the most distinctive tree of the Kimberley, the Boab. These fellas can live up to anywhere between 4-7,000 years, and if you take one of their seeds and crack it open, you can eat the white fleshy stuff inside. The pith in the fruit tastes similar to dried apple.

But you see the flowers on that tree Perkins? Well don’t eat that. Don’t even TOUCH that! That my lad is what’s known as Caustic Grevillia. One touch and it’ll burn your skin and leave you permanently scarred. Now you don’t want that, do you Perkins?

Ahhhh and here we have the Native Kapok and Rosella flowers. They both have edible petals with the latter said to reduce blood pressure if you mash it up and make it into a strong tea.

OK Perkins, have a look at this

What Sir? THAT Sir?

Yes, that’s right Perkins. Take a closer look at that branch over there and you’ll see lots of ants with green bottoms running along it. Pick one up between thumb and forefinger and put it in your mouth. These green ants are commonly called Electric Ants because of the zingy flavour they have. Eating one is the same kind of sensation as licking the end of a battery, or putting your tongue on a scalextric track, but I wouldn’t recommend either of those of course Perkins!

Wow thank you Sir, when I grow up I’d like to be a park ranger at El Questro! There’s so much to learn and explore about the fascinating bush survival techniques, but I’ve just got one more question Sir…….where are the toilets?

Come now Perkins, any tree’s a ‘lavva-tree’!

Morning folks, today we set off on the Kimberley Aerial Highway. A series of airstrips landing you in some of the Kimberley’s most iconic landscapes and unique accommodations, from Cape Leveque and the Bungle Bungle Ranges of Purnululu National Park, to Home Valley Station and El Questro Wilderness Park.

Kkkxxzzqqq….Good morning ground control, this is the Slingair Heliworks GA8 airvan requesting permission for take-off. I have Co-Pilot Keam on board and he’s been instructed NOT to touch ANY dials or buttons, nor is he allowed to “have a go” on the “steering wheel” over….kkzzzzxxx

Kkxxzzqq.…Roger Roger Heliworks, request granted. Where will you be flying today Roger Roger? Over.…kkzzxxxx

Kkkxxzzqq….We’ll be flying at an average altitude of 3,000ft and approximately 200km/h as we pass over the Western part of the Bungles. We’ll be able to see the vast Tanami Desert on the horizon, where the wind blows in to give the Bungle Bungle Range their distinctive beehive shape through erosion of their relatively soft sandstone. The eroded stumps of 350 million-year-old mountains, it is utterly unlike any other place on Earth.

We’ll then be passing over the massive tectonic shift of the Osmand Ranges and the Argyle diamond mine, the world’s largest producer of natural coloured diamonds, over.…kkkxxqqzzxx

Qqkkzzzzxx….Sounds like quite a trip Roger Roger, will you be passing the Ord top river dam as well? Roger Roger, over….kkxxqqqzz

Qqqxzzzzz….We’ll have a sneaky peek ground control. Built between 1969-72 the detonation to create enough rubble for the dam was Australia’s largest non-nuclear explosion at the time, and Lake Argyle is now classed as an inland sea it’s so vast. If you took one metre of water off the top of the lake, it would supply Perth with all its water needs for five years. Incredible. Over….kkxxqzzzz

Kkkkqxxzz….Wow Roger Roger, impressive stuff! You have a safe trip now, Roger Roger over….kkkqqzxxx

Kkkxxzqzz….Thanks ground control, but if I’ve told you once I’ve told you a million times, my name’s Stephen….kkkqqxxzzz

Imagine if your best mates were millionaires and they invited you round their house for a couple of days. They’ve got a big open plan living room with grand log fire, a cellar full of fine wine and an amazing bar area with spectacular panoramic views of one of the world’s last great frontiers.

There’s a live-in Gourmet Chef (Big Al) and you can pop into the kitchen anytime to say hi (or help prepare canpapes before cocktails or make some bread in the morning).

There’s a couple of staff who aren’t really staff, more like friends just hanging out. But they’ll be so kind as to meet you at the front door with a glass of champagne or hot scented towel, and serve you dinner as you fine dine out on the lawn under the stars.   Other friends pop by and they’ll gladly take you on a private tour of Zebedee Thermal Springs or a cruise along the Chamberlain Gorge. Fancy some time alone? (there’s a maximum of only 18 guests) Well you can relax in the library or on your own private cliff top balcony.

Aaaaahh The Homestead, I’m going to miss you.