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Where to stay

Outback Station Stays

A station stay means staying on a working outback cattle or sheep station. You might camp by a creek, sleep in old shearers' quarters or stay in the homestead, and see pastoral life from the inside. State tourism bodies list station stays across the outback, and they're one of the most memorable ways to spend a night in the bush.

Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

By the Outback Now editorial team · Updated · 4 min read

Much of outback Australia is pastoral country, divided into huge cattle and sheep stations that can cover hundreds or thousands of square kilometres. Many stations host travellers, which brings in income and gives guests a genuine glimpse of life on the land.

What a station stay is

A station stay is accommodation on a working pastoral property. Every station is different. Some run a full tourism business with a shop, restaurant and powered sites. Others offer little more than a cleared camping area by a waterhole and a friendly welcome at the homestead.

Types of accommodation

  • Bush camping: unpowered sites, sometimes by a creek or dam. These may have basic or no facilities.
  • Powered caravan sites: with amenities blocks.
  • Shearers' or stockmen's quarters: simple rooms, often with shared kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Cottages and cabins: self-contained options.
  • Homestead rooms: sometimes with meals shared with the family.
  • Lodges and all-inclusive stays: on some larger stations.

What you might do

Activities depend on the station and the season. They can include:

  • Watching station work, such as mustering or feeding animals, where the owners allow it
  • Bushwalking and birdwatching
  • Fishing or swimming in waterholes, where safe and permitted
  • Self-drive station tracks and lookouts
  • Campfire dinners and stargazing
  • Heritage buildings and station history

Station work comes first. Activities aren't guaranteed and may change at short notice.

Where to find station stays

  • Western Australia: Tourism Western Australia keeps a station stays listing covering regions such as the Coral Coast, Gascoyne, Pilbara, Kimberley and Golden Outback. See Mount Augustus and Tom Price for parts of the Gascoyne and Pilbara.
  • Queensland: Outback Queensland Tourism promotes station stays across the region. See Longreach, Blackall and Charleville.
  • New South Wales: the Darling River Run is known for station stays along the river. Its official site notes that some close in the hotter months.
  • South Australia: stations in the Flinders Ranges and far north offer camping and cottages, including Arckaringa near the Painted Desert.
  • Northern Territory: some cattle stations offer camping and accommodation along major routes.

See the outback accommodation guide for official state directories.

Examples of station and homestead stays

Official tourism and park websites mention a number of station-based stays that are useful starting points. Always check current details directly:

  • Queensland: Cunnamulla Tourism lists Charlotte Plains, with artesian soaking, and a digital-detox stay at Francvillers Station near Cunnamulla.
  • Northern Territory: NT Parks lists Old Ambalindum Station and Ross River Homestead among the accommodation near Arltunga in the East MacDonnell Ranges. See Arltunga Historical Reserve.
  • South Australia: Arckaringa Station offers camping and accommodation near the Painted Desert. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, in the northern Flinders Ranges, is a 610 km² sanctuary run by the Sprigg family since 1968. See Arkaroola.
  • Western Australia: in the inland Gascoyne, the DBCA Kennedy Range visitor guide says station accommodation can be arranged through the Shire of Upper Gascoyne. See Kennedy Range.
  • New South Wales: the official Darling River Run site lists station stays along the river, and notes that some close in the hotter months.

Costs and booking

Prices vary widely, from inexpensive bush camping to premium all-inclusive stays. Always:

  • Book directly with the station, and confirm what's included.
  • Ask about road access, the nearest fuel, and whether the property accepts card payment.
  • Check whether pets are allowed. Many stations restrict dogs because of stock and baiting.
  • Check opening dates, as some close seasonally.

When to go

In much of the outback, the cooler months from about April to October are peak season. In the tropical north, many stays are only reachable in the dry season. In southern regions, summer heat can be extreme. See outback weather by month and wet season and road closures.

Getting there

Station roads are often unsealed, and they can close after rain. Ask the station about current conditions, and check state road reports. A high-clearance vehicle may be needed. See fuel, permits and road conditions and 4WD driving.

Station etiquette

  • Leave gates as you find them.
  • Drive slowly near stock, yards and homesteads, and give way to stock.
  • Stay on permitted tracks and in designated camp areas.
  • Don't disturb stock or water points, such as troughs, tanks and bores.
  • Follow fire restrictions, and use existing fire places.
  • Take your rubbish with you.
  • Respect the family's privacy. The homestead is their home.
  • Ask before flying a drone.

Is a station stay right for you?

A station stay suits travellers who want space, quiet and authenticity rather than resort facilities. Expect dust, flies, limited mobile coverage and early starts. Station stays are a great choice for families, photographers and anyone curious about pastoral history.

If you'd like to stay longer and work, see our outback jobs guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is a station stay?

A station stay is accommodation on a working pastoral property, usually a cattle or sheep station. Tourism Western Australia describes station stays as a chance to experience life on a working station. Accommodation ranges from bush campsites to shearers' quarters, cottages and homestead rooms.

Can you stay on a working farm in Australia?

Yes. Many outback stations and farms take paying guests. Some invite guests to watch or join in station activities, such as feeding animals or seeing stock work, at the owners' discretion. Ask the station what's on offer when you book.

How much does an outback station stay cost?

Prices vary widely. A basic campsite is often among the cheapest outback accommodation, while homestead rooms with meals or all-inclusive lodges cost far more. Check current rates directly with the station.

Where are the best station stays in Western Australia?

Tourism Western Australia lists station stays across regions including the Coral Coast, Gascoyne, Pilbara, Kimberley and Golden Outback. Use its station stays page to compare current options, and book directly with each station.

Where to stay in the outback?

Options include caravan parks, free and bush camping, pubs, motels, roadhouses, lodges and station stays. A station stay gives you the most authentic taste of pastoral life. See our outback accommodation guide for official state directories.

Sources and further reading

Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.

  1. Station stays — Tourism Western Australia
  2. Station stays to soothe the soul — Outback Queensland Tourism Association
  3. The Darling River Run Q&A — The Darling River Run
  4. Things to do — Cunnamulla Tourism
  5. Arltunga Historical Reserve — NT Government

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