These unique outback stays offer seclusion and comfort in some of the most far-flung locales.
1. Rangelands Outback Camp, Qld
A working cattle property near Winton, doubles as adults-only Rangelands Outback Camp, complete with six luxury safari-style tents and breathtaking vistas.
Settle in luxe tents at Rangelands Outback Camp. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
2. Saltbush Retreat, Qld
Step back to the pioneer days with a stay in a slab hut or outback cabin at Saltbush Retreat in Longreach. They are rustic in style but premium in comfort, giving guests an authentic but luxe outback experience.
Soak in a rustic tub at Saltbush Retreat in Longreach, Qld. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
3. Berkeley River Lodge, WA
Between the Timor Sea and Berkeley River, Berkeley River Lodge is one of the most remote in the country, accessed via a small plane. Stay in villas atop sand dunes with access to hidden waterholes and gorges.
Stay in villas atop sand dunes at the Berkeley River Lodge.
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4. El Questro Station, WA
Take a break from the ruggedness of the Gibb River Road at El Questro, which is an oasis of gorges, thermal springs and waterfalls; its homestead sitting atop a cliff overlooking the Chamberlain River.
Relax by the river at El Questro Station. (Image: Delaware North Companies)
5. Rawnsley Park Station, SA
Rawnsley Park Station has eco villas with over-bed skylights so you can fall asleep under the stars in style. It looks out over one of the country’s most enigmatic natural forms, Wilpena Pound/Ikara.
Sleep under the vast pink-hued sky in Rawnsley Park Station. (Image: Tourism Australia)
6. Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, SA
The Prairie Hotel in Parachilna north of the Flinders Ranges has been pouring beers for 150 years. It has 12 beautifully appointed rooms that make for a welcome pit stop on a Flinders Ranges road trip.
Make a pitstop at Prairie Hotel. (Image: Tourism Australia)
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7. Callubri Station, NSW
Stay on a fourth-generation merino farm at Callubri Station, two hours west of Dubbo, where shipping containers have been converted into plush suites and where you can experience real-deal station life. Choose church, presbytery or cottage at Broken Hill Outback Church Stay, a heritage building turned cosy accommodation.
Lounge in a hammock overlooking scenic views at Callubri Station. (Image: Monique Wye; Destination NSW)
8. Cicada Lodge, NT
Zip across floodplains and wake to the symphony of birdlife at Bamurru Plains in Mary River, where safari bungalows are nestled among wild landscape. Take note of its special events, including gourmet weekends, with James Viles leading the charge 24–27 March. Owned by the local Jawoyn people, Cicada Lodge is a luxe stay with easy gorge access in Nitmiluk National Park.
Opt for a luxe stay at Cicada Lodge. (Image: Shaana McNaught; Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.
The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.
For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.
“The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”
But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.
“It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”
Getting there
Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.
Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.
However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.
The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.
At one with nature
East Arnhem’slandscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.
“I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”
Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.
For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.
“I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”
The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.
Immersing in local culture
Experience authentic moments with the locals.
Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.
“I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”
The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.
Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.
Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.
“A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”
These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.
Spotting local wildlife
Step into a world where nature reigns.
The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.
Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.
“Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”
Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.
“As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”
Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.
Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.
“Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”
And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.
“The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”
For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.
8 Remote Outback Retreats Around Australia | Australian Traveller
