In a nutshell
- Stations are little oases in the middle of nowhere — usually family-run properties with vast stretches of land where cattle are raised. A station stay is one of the most authentic experiences you can have in the Australian outback.
- Our top pick is Cheela Plains Station, perfectly located between Karijini National Park and Ningaloo Reef — the food alone is worth the stop.
- Bullara Station near Coral Bay is famous for its coffee and legendary scones — get there early before they sell out!
- We’ve also rounded up a handful of other station stays across Western Australia so you can plan your outback route. Keep reading!
Station Stay: Overnight on a Working Station
Spending a night on a station is a genuinely unique experience. Don’t expect luxury — but do expect something truly unforgettable.
If you’re traveling in a camper, you’ll find powered and unpowered sites, showers, and cooking facilities at most stations.
Of course, you can also stop at a station in a regular rental car. You’ll be staying in very basic rooms with shared showers and toilets. Most of the time, the rooms are simply set up in plain shipping containers.
The lack of luxury is more than made up for by the experience of sleeping, in the truest sense of the word, in the middle of nowhere.
The nearest town or next station is usually several hundred kilometers away, and you’re alone with the station owners and a handful of other travelers.
There’s always something to eat at the stations too. Meals are usually made from whatever’s on hand, and everyone eats together at the same table.
Lies auch
Cheela Plains Station
We stayed at Cheela Plains Station on our way from Karijini National Park to Ningaloo Reef — and it was one of the highlights of our entire Western Australia road trip.
The station is a family operation. Robin and her husband Evan lovingly look after the station and the 180,000-hectare property surrounding it.
There are simple, small rooms and sites for campers. Robin offers half- or full-day tours of the property, where you get to see some truly incredible spots.
If you have a 4-wheel drive, you can also explore on your own. You’ll get a map and a key for a few of the gates along the way — and then the adventure begins.
For complete seclusion, you can spend the night at the George Bush Campsite right out in the bush. It’s about 36 km from Cheela Plains Station.
A total of ten people work on the station. You’ll meet most of them at the communal dinner in the evening.
Speaking of food: The heart and soul of the station is Pauline. She cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and she bakes outstanding cakes. We ate really, really well during our stay!
If you get the chance to stop here on your outback station stay in Western Australia, do it. Seriously, don’t skip this one.
Visit the Cheela Plains Station website
Bullara Station
Bullara Station is located not far from the coast. Both Coral Bay and Exmouth are just an hour’s drive away — which makes it a great base if you’re exploring Ningaloo Reef.
Here too, you can stay in your own camper or book a room.
We only made a brief stop at Bullara Station after hearing that the coffee — and especially the scones made by station manager Edwina — are legendary.
Unfortunately, we arrived a bit too late and the scones were already gone. What a shame. But the coffee was still seriously good.
Visit the Bullara Station website
More Station Stays in Western Australia
There are several more stations across Western Australia that welcome guests. Here’s a selection worth checking out:
Quobba Station: Located almost right on the coast, about three hours south of Coral Bay.
Wooramel Station: Situated near Monkey Mia on the North West Coastal Highway.
Hamelin Station: Near Shark Bay.
Kirkalocka Station: About 500 km northeast of Perth on Highway 95.
Wooleen Station: 700 km north of Perth in the Murchison region.
Murchison House Station: One of the oldest stations in the country, located very close to Kalbarri National Park.
