The Kimberley’s vast outback stations offer a truly unique travel experience to live the rural outback station life like a local. From homesteads, cattle stations to remote campgrounds; here are our 6 best stations to stay in the Kimberley that will immerse you in true Australian rural life.
Photo credit: El Questro
El Questro Homestead
An oasis of luxury in the heart of the Kimberely, El Questro Homesetad, will treat you with vistas of the prettiest locations in the Kimberely. Kimberley’s best known station stay is a more than 4000,000 hectare spread popular with travelers from Kununurra. Perched high on a cliff top, spectacular views can be enjoyed from the comfort of your egg-shaped outdoor bathtub. The homestead caters to only a maximum of 20 guests so expect seclusion, intimacy and a personalize experience at its finest. Your adventures are just as delicious as your dining. From soaking in the palm fringed Zebedee Thermal Springs, cruising private gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes at Emma Gorge to renowned gourmet cuisine in dramatic locations of an intimate dinner under the stars or over a waterfall. Your experience here will be awe inspiring!
Home Valley Station
Owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Corporation, Home Valley serves as a training academy for locals in both tourism and cattle management. While away your days on adventures including horse riding, helicopter flights, bush tucker, fishing, gorge walks, airboat river rides and 4WD experiences. You’ll be spoilt with accommodation choice ranging from luxury Grass Castle Lodges to eco-tents, motel style rooms and a campground for those who are keen to roll out a riverside swag for a truly immersive outback experience. With a number of walking trail through the station, it is reason enough for a promising adventure.
Mt Elizabeth Station
For the diehard road trip and nature enthusiasts, you’ll need a sense of adventure and a good 4WD to explore this remote working cattle station. Located halfway along the Gibb Rover Road, the tracks are rocky and gnarly but the trip is worth it leading to spectacular places like the plunge-worthy Wunnamurra Gorge, plenty of ancient Aboriginal rock art and the most remote and toughest 4WD track in the Kimberley. You are definitely in for one great adventure! The working Mount Elizabeth Station is surrounded by two epic gorges, creeks harbouring freshwater crocodiles and grounds dotted with wallabies and kangaroos. There is basic accommodation in the homestead or for nature enthusiasts take on a camping experience without eliminating the creature comforts of hot showers and flushing toilets. Complete with fire pits, celebrate in a convivial affair with campfire BBQ’s as you exchange stories of your adventures with other like-minded travellers. So, if you are after an authentic taste of her Kimberley station life, this is the place.
Mornington Wildlife Sancturary
As the name describes, this station is ideal for the wildlife lovers. Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and managed by the non-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and is the base for its research and ecological programs. All proceed from the Wilderness Camp are channeled back into wildlife conservation projects. The Mornington cover a staggering 3000 square kilometres of sandstone escarpment, tropical rivers, rocky gorges and savannah grasslands. A great location to sock up the atmosphere in safari tents each with their own private ensuite and balcony overlooking Annie's Creek. Or pitch your own tent in the shady creek campground with communal hot showers and fishing toilets. Your days will surely be filled with adventures with many day trips enjoyed from camp. Canoe down Dimond Gorge, swim in Sir John Gorge and for sunset take a hamper for drinks at a number of stunning surrounding locations. Bird lovers can join birdwatching tours guided by AWC ecologists at secret birding hotspots.
Mt Barnett Station
If visiting the best swimming spots is your bucket list in the Kimberley, then Barnett Station is an ideal location. It is the entrance point for the beautiful Manning Gorge and Galvans Gorge based on the estate. This stunning campsite offers a bit of an experience of where an occasional cow may walk in the dark. Swag camp or pitch your tents and immerse in campfire delights. The facilities are complete with toilets and showers.
Photo credit: Bullo River Station
Bullo River Station
Bullo River Station isn’t simply an accommodation, it is a one-of-kind experience that will stay with you long after you've left its remote location. You’ll experience Australia’s pioneer spirit at this hospitable and luxurious working cattle station sitting on half a million acres of pristine outback, encompassing gorges, waterfalls and the mighty Victoria and Bullo Rivers. It is here where you can unleash your inner bushman or bushwoman by engaging with cattle mustering, feeding claves, roaming the grounds in a 4WD or croc spotting by the river. Swim in billabongs, picnic by waterfalls and learn about the ancient Indigenous culture exploring rock art sites. Here, you cannot miss the impressive helicopter ride admiring the station and its incredible landscapes from up above! After adventurous days, take a refreshing dip in the pool, be wined and dined with gourmet meals or retire to your purpose built, air conditions ensuite room. For ultimate luxury spend a night in a remote Lake View Hut, perched atop a hill charmingly exclusive that it is only accessible by helicopter! Where even your meals are helicoptered to you.
With these incredible stations offering camping experiences, Onlyluxe Travel is here to ensure your journey is as authentic as you desire. We’ll organise for you to immerse into the wild in true Australian outback style camping in a swag under the starry night sky upon your request.
