What To Do Once You're Here
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Although Ranku is famous for its fishing and mud crabs, there is a host of opportunities for the tourist to explore and discover a world that as yet very few have ventured into. Off the well trodden tourist track, yet inexpensive, here is an opportunity for you to experience the real deal that will leave you with memories that will stay with you for a life time and a desire to return another time.
Where in Australia can you visit pristine beaches and landscapes that have not been encroached on by cane toads and the only cats here are the twin hulled version! Only a 20 minute flight from Darwin or 1 hour by fast sea ferry.
Here’s a list of some of the things we can offer... and we are still looking at offering more;
Okay well get the obvious one out of the way first: Fishing, land based or boat based. We can supply quality rods reels and tackle, eskies etc. Plenty of places to fish off the land and catch supper, but if you want to go where the big fish are, we have two different size boats to hire with local guides if required, (put the crab pots in on the way out and pick up your crabs on the way home). We'll even cook them for you and help you eat themtoo!!! All boats are fitted with modern electronics and surface to air missiles and nuclear warheads... er, well I don’t think that part is legal yet but we hope you get the drift, lets move on...
We have 4wd hire available for whatever length of time you require and this option gives you the freedom to do some personal exploring and wander off to the local(croc free) water hole to cool off. If you get bogged in the sand it comes with a plastic bag that you put around the exhaust outlet and jacks up the car... if this sounds too hard we always send you out with a Sat Phone and you can call the NRMA or your friendly tow truck operator!!!
We are currently developing our quad bike tracks and our bikes are very easy to ride, whilst not all are automatic, we lead you round the house paddock on a halter first so we are confident you are compedent. All our bikes are 350cc+ and are safer than smaller cc bikes you find in other places. BPlus with bigger fuel tanks we can go further and deeper than man has ventured before! Best not to spend up on a snazzy hair do before you ride the quads as we find the helmets do a pretty good hair design themselves! We usually work out what the visitor wants and plan the trip from there. Minimum 1/2 day or full day. All have electric start and we also offer a local Tiwi guide as well.
Okay so you’re tired out from driving the 4wd, you’re stuffed from riding a quad bike all day... what else... Honestly the best is yet to come. The west coast of Bathurst Island is surrounded by beautiful, spectacular, even breathtaking cliffs, beaches and headlands that surprises everyone. Bring a camera with lots of gig! One day tour is not sufficient to see it all, two days gives you a good idea, three days is perfect. I have spent 3 years exploring every nook and cranny of this side of the island and will show you the best of the best, (I don’t wear a black suit), the lighthouse at Cape Forcroy is actually overshadowed by the spectacular jumping crocodiles, nah just joking, it is surrounded by cliffs slowly eroding that leave you wondering... there are beaches that all we leave behind are the turtle tracks, anyway have a look at the photos and you will see for yourself.
You thought Uluru was hard to climb, ha ha, wait until you try and climb "Big Stew"... no handrails on this fella, near vertical sides on a 90 metre sand dune!!! Only to be tried by the fit and insane!!! (I am definitely not fit and probably a bit insane!!!)
Then there is the Lost City a haven for the photographer, a city of shapes carved out of the sand and hardened that you can walk through and around, pretty amazing stuff. We are currently applying for Eco Tourism certification so this should give you some idea of what's on offer.
Then the biggest problem at the end of the day is which beach will we watch the sunset from??? Followed usually by a big beach bonfire and BBQ We like our visitors to mingle with the local Tiwi residents who are always curious to find out where there guests come from and a bit about themselves. Hone up on your Kelly pool skills though or it will cost you a beer!!! We are always keen for visitors to the school and ask that you make a small contribution in the way of books are something useful. One guest donated a telescope so we need books on the stars!!!
Look the options are endless, that is why we limit tourists to one group at a time with a maximum of 4 people, that way we groom your stay to your requirements. What are you waiting for???, get that fat cheque book out, no, I mean send me an email or ring me and well go from there. By the way we even have free internet access here!!!
We'll keep you busy...
You'll have a ball
The space is a bit limited to go into everything. Fishing, hunting, eco trips okay. But with max four persons, you're not a tourist group. You will be escorted by one of the locals who will look after you. Well, we haven't lost anyone - YET!!
One day or 14 days. Currently accommodation is in a self contained 24' caravan. Very comfy, very clean and very air conditioned. Or you can sleep outside in a swag and get licked by the dogs.
We also offer pre-arranged business bonding trips, a bit like the Survivor TV shows. We put people in specific situations(once again maximum 4 people) and they have to overcome problem situations by working as a team. These can be a day event or an overnight adventure. They are all supervised.
Or do you want your sales team to have a business course in a different environment, we can do it. We can set up for your training requirements.
Artists, poets, photographers, even actors and musicians can all be entertained(although we do like the musos to entertain us sometimes!!) We have not had any honeymooners yet or American Presidents!
Oh, and just when you thought, these guys are in the bush so how can I keep tabs on my sick mother/shares/Irish racehorse, don't fret as we have Telstra phone/fax lines, satellite phone, wireless broadband, Eftpos, even smoke signals if you want it.
The main advantage of this location is your anonymity. No-one knows who you are or where you come from. The people here just want to make friends and enjoy your company. We specialize in keeping your identity hidden(if that is your request) so you can even come here just to chill out and enjoy some of our beaches.
So, if I haven't convinced you yet that this is the small place to bring you and 3 others, I probably need to know why so get on the e-mail or phone now and contact me. Ranku Stew, that's me!!
Now, I have been known to tell little white lies so don't necessarily be put off when I tell you that the fishing here is terrible and that this is the worst place for pig shooting. I hope you can read between the lines!!!!
There are some beautiful natural water holes, some with waterfalls that act as spas to cool off in. In fact, I found one close to Ranku that I was not aware of yesterday as it's access was hidden by thick rainforest. And NO Crocs.
If you want crowded swimming spots, stay on Bondi - if you want the place to yourself - Ranku is that place.
Some of the locals still get an income from making Tiwi style art. In fact, Tiwi art is not as appreciated as much as other indigenous art, like say from Arnhem Land, so therefore is pretty reasonably priced.
Nguiu has a very good museum and two well established art outlets and we highly recommend viewing by visitors as early in their visit as possible so they can get a grip of the culture.
There is a small school here and if pre-arranged, visitors are more than welcome to sit in on a lesson or even bring something to the class to discuss. Usually the kids are interested in just listening to stories of where there visitor comes from and what they do.
