7 Bucket-Trip Worthy Stations Stays Across Australia

Float across croc-infested floodplains, immerse yourself in natural waterholes or discover the wonder of ancient Aboriginal rock art, all whilst staying in some of the most remote and remarkable places in Australia.

Station stays are gaining popularity and raising the bar with a tapestry of memorable experiences. They offer a chance to feel the beating heart of the Australian bush, in spectacular and offbeat locations, without compromising on comfort. From simple to swanky, here are seven station stays you’ll wish to linger longer.

1. Bullara Station, WA

At this cattle station, in the Exmouth Gulf, it’s more than ochre dirt that sinks into your skin. Found near World Heritage-listed Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) Marine Park, it’s 90 kilometres south of Exmouth.

an aerial view of Bullara Station near the beach — Bullara Station is found near Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) Marine Park.

Damper tasting, cattle mustering and star gazing all add to the Aussie outback feel. Adventure along 4WD tracks to access remote fishing, shower outside beneath the gumtrees and taste homemade scones in a Banjo Paterson-style converted wool shed.

red dirt across Bullara Station — Red dirt spans across Bullara Station.

Live music and festoon lights set the scene for a bush party for their Friday “Burger Night" – made with homegrown beef, of course. Take your pick of accommodation at Bullara Station from camping, camp cottages, bell tents and safari huts.

the interior of a safari hut at Bullara Station — Stay in a rustic safari hut at Bullara Station.

2. Quobba Station, WA

At Quobba Station , an eco-stay an hour’s drive north of Carnarvon, the Outback and ocean converge in a rugged display of natural beauty. Just like the famous blowholes here, this coastline will blow your mind. The homestead has a range of individual quarters to stay in, some sleeping up to eight people. ‘The Chalets’ sleep two and deliver a salty Indian Ocean view.

an aerial view of Red Bluff, Quobba Station north of Carnarvon — Sunset paints the bluff fiery red at Quobba Station. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

At Red Bluff, further north, this spectacular setting has prime camping sites, a stone’s throw from the powder-white beach. The safari tents that cling to the craggy hillside are the hero; from here you can gaze at the turquoise Indian Ocean to spot whales or watch as surfers glide, leaving white froth piping in their wake. Sunset is a sight to behold as it sizzles into the sea and paints the bluff fiery red.

Red Bluff, Quobba Station north of Carnarvon — Quobba Station is nestled north of Carnarvon. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

3. Bullo River, NT

Set on 400,000 acres, the road to Bullo River cattle station is 4WD access only. A plane charter will have you there in 30 minutes from Kununurra, or 90 minutes from Darwin. Twelve guest rooms provide an air-conditioned sanctuary and the palm-fringed pool is a cool oasis.

the Bullo River Station accommodation — Feel at home at Bullo River Station. (Image: Tourism NT/Bullo River Station)

Guests can float down the Bullo River Gorge, walled by towering red cliffs and riverbanks dripping with fig trees and pandanus. Storytelling, throw net fishing, and ancient Aboriginal rock art make up a day rich of wonder when embarking on a cultural tour with a local guide. Soar in a helicopter above Djarrany-Djarrany Country where chasms of gorges cut scars into the landscape and creeks criss-cross, veinlike, across the land.

an aerial view of Bullo River — Bullo River is situated on the edge of the Kimberley. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Finniss River Lodge, NT

This family-owned cattle station, 90 kilometres from Darwin delivers luxurious lodgings, on the edge of vast wetlands that are ever-changing with the seasons. With six suites, catering for up to 12 guests, Finniss River Lodge offers a personalised stay.

an outdoor pool at Finniss River Lodge, NT — Lounge by the pool at Finniss River Lodge. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Immerse yourself in station life on a cattle muster, check troughs and fences or feed gangly poddy calves. Adventure on a guided airboat tour where native water lilies sit pretty, a contrast to the feral pigs and stealth resident crocs that dwell here.

the Finniss River Lodge, NT — Finniss River Lodge is a hidden outback gem. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Learn how to make fire or forage for bush tucker that chefs will prepare for your dinner. Finish your day, cocktail in hand, astounded by an immense fire-red sunset over the floodplains from the poolside deck.

sunset views from the pool at Finniss River Lodge, NT — Sip wine by the pool at sundown. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

5. Gilberton Outback Retreat, QLD

The ‘quick’ way to Gilberton is via helicopter where you’ll touchdown on a heart-shaped pink landing pad. It’s a unique arrival to set your heart aflutter at this seventh-generation working cattle station in Far North Queensland. The Retreat at Gilberton is perched atop the bluff overlooking the Gilbert River and meals and activities are all-inclusive. Their spacious digs are draped in understated luxury, including a pillow-top king bed and fluffy robes that will have you feeling like bush royalty.

Disconnect from the world (there’s no phone coverage) and connect with life in the bush. Wander amongst eucalyptus trees with a guide to taste bush tucker and spot local wildlife such as rare albino wallabies. Spend a day fossicking for gold in an area rich in mining history. Soak off the gold dust in your balcony bath overlooking the meandering river.

a man riding a motorcycle across the outback grounds of Gilberton Outback Retreat — Immerse in the wilderness at Gilberton Outback Retreat. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

6. Callubri Station, NSW

Taste rural life, literally, at Callubri Station , a merino sheep station that offers stays for a maximum of 12 guests. You won’t go hungry with their wine and dine packages, delivering seasonal produce that’ll have your belly as plump as the wool on the sheep’s back. Catch yabby from the dams or join in on farming life helping fix fences and check on lambing ewes.

a woman relaxing in a hammock at Callubri Station — Relax in a hammock at Callubri Station. (Image: Monique Wye)

Look out for wildlife such as comical long-legged emus or pink and grey galahs chattering like class clowns. Take a farm tour to learn about wool production and finish with canapes and drinks at ‘The Lookout’, gazing over the Western Plains.

the exterior view of Callubri Station, Buddabadah — Experience a luxury outback stay at Callubri Station. (Image: Monique Wye)

7. Flinders Bush Retreats, SA

Flinders Bush Retreats offer eco-tent glamping, privately positioned in a secluded gorge, just outside of Hawker, in the Flinders Ranges. Accommodating two people, it’s completely off-grid. There’s a soft sheet-clad queen-sized bed, plus a kitchenette and ensuite with a self-composting toilet.

the rugged mountain landscape surrounding Flinders Bush Retreat — Flinders Bush Retreats is completely off-grid. (Image: Isaac Foreman)

The scenic views and spectacular walks on your doorstep are a great way to settle into the rhythm of nature. Spot strutting emus, curious kangaroos, or even spiky, roly-poly echidna. At night, listen to the crackle of your open campfire and marvel as stars traverse an unpolluted celestial sky.

a safari tent at Flinders Bush Retreats, SA under the night sky — Sleep under the stars. (Image: Flinders Bush Retreats)

For those that prefer extra mod cons, book the historic 1900s Mount Scott Homestead or ‘The Quarters’ to experience this sixth-generation grazier’s property.

an aerial view of Flinders Bush Retreat — Check into the Flinders Bush Retreats in the middle of the rugged landscape. (Image: Isaac Foreman)

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Victoria’s sweeping landscapes hold stories far older than any road map can trace – stories etched into stone, sung through generations and woven into every bend of river and rise of hill. From the lava flows of Budj Bim to the ancient middens of Moyjil/Point Ritchie and the volcanic crater of Tower Hill, the state is home to some of the most significant First Peoples cultural sites in Australia. These places, along with other immersive experiences, offer not only a window into a 60,000-year legacy, but a profound way of understanding Country itself. As more travellers seek connection over checklists, guided tours by Traditional Owners offer respectful, unforgettable insights into a living culture that continues to shape the land and the people who walk it.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Venture beyond the surf and sand of the Great Ocean Road to discover a deeper story etched into the volcanic landscape. At Budj Bim , ancient aquaculture channels built by the Gunditjmara people to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel) reveal one of the world’s oldest living cultures. While you’re in the area, head over to the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can observe the eels in a special tank, wander the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), and enjoy a bite at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Also nearby is Tower Hill, a dormant volcano reborn as a wildlife reserve, offering trails through bushland teeming with emus and koalas.

eel tank — The kooyang (eel) tank at Tae Rak. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Dumawul walkingtour — Guests are guided through Kooyoora State Park on the Dumawul walking tour. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Step into a timeless landscape with Dumawul’s guided tour through Kooyoora State Park, around an hour’s drive west of Bendigo in north-central Victoria. Led by Djaara guides, this immersive half-day journey breathes life into Country, weaving together stories, bush tucker and ancient rock art. Known to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Guyura – the ‘mountain of light’ – this dramatic granite range is rich with cultural and spiritual significance. The adventure begins with a meet-up at the Bridgewater Hotel on the banks of the Loddon River, before guests are welcomed onto Country with a traditional Smoking Ceremony – a powerful ritual that honours ancestors and cleanses those who walk the land. From there, it’s a gentle wander through rugged outcrops and open bushland, with sweeping vistas unfolding at every turn. Along the way, guides share their knowledge of how the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples have cared for and adapted with this land for generations, offering a rare and moving window into an ancient way of life that continues to thrive today.

Kooyoora walking tour — Knowledge of the Dja Dja Wurrung is shared on the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Kingfisher Cruises

Glide quietly through the Barmah-Millewa forest – the nation’s largest river red gum ecosystem – on a scenic journey along the Murray River and into the Barmah Lakes with Kingfisher Cruises . Led by passionate guides who share stories of the cultural significance of this ancient landscape, these cruises reveal the stories, totems and traditional knowledge of the Yorta Yorta people. As you navigate narrow waterways and spot native birds, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Peoples have lived in harmony with this floodplain for tens of thousands of years. It’s a gentle, immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression – one where every bend in the river carries echoes of culture, connection and Country.

wawa biik

Exploring Nagambie with Taungurung leaders. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Translating to ‘hello, Country’ in the language of the First Nations People and Custodians of the rivers and mountains of Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, wawa biik guides a range of authentic and deeply immersive experiences. Leaving from either Nagambie or Euroa, the tours are woven with ancient stories of the Taungurung, telling how a sustained connection and responsibility ensures the continued health of biik – benefitting the people, animals and plants that live in and around the Goulburn River. During the wawa Nagambie experience, guests participate in a Welcome Smoking Ceremony, and enjoy lunch and conversation with two Taungurung leaders as they cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes). The 4.5-hour tour begins at Tahbilk Winery, which is set in the wetlands of Nagambie on Taungurung Country and collaborates with Taungurung Elders to share knowledge of biik.

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Cape Conran on the Bataluk Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bataluk Cultural Trail winds through East Gippsland like a thread stitching past to present, tracing the deep connection between the Gunaikurnai people and their land. Starting at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, visitors walk among scarred trees and ancient stone tools once used for survival and ceremony. At the Den of Nargun near Mitchell River, the earth holds stories of women’s sacred spaces, cloaked in myth and legend. Further along, Legend Rock at Metung tells of greed and consequence, its surface etched with ancient lore. At Cape Conran, shell middens lie scattered like breadcrumbs of history – 10,000 years of gatherings, stories and saltwater songs still echoing in the wind.

Healesville Sanctuary

Set on the historic grounds of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, Healesville Sanctuary honours the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation through immersive storytelling and connection to Country. Along Wurundjeri Walk, visitors are invited to reflect on the land’s rich First Peoples history, with native plants revealing their traditional uses. Wurundjeri Elder and educator Murrundindi shares culture in-person with the Wominjeka Aboriginal Cultural Experience every Sunday, and most days during Victorian school holidays. Murrundindi’s smoking ceremonies, storytelling and bush tucker knowledge reveal the sacred relationship between people, animals and the environment. Bird-lovers can’t miss the incredible Spirits of the Sky show featuring native birds daily at 12pm and 3pm.

The Grampians

Known as Gariwerd to Traditional Owners, the Grampians is a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This rugged landscape holds more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s known First Peoples rock art, offering a powerful window into the region’s deep heritage. Visitors can respectfully explore five remarkable rock art sites: Billimina and Ngamadjidj in the Wartook Valley, Manja Shelter near Hamilton, Gulgurn Manja shelter near Laharum, and the Bunjil Shelter near Stawell, where the creator spirit is depicted. Each site tells a unique story of connection to Country, shared through ancient handprints, dancing figures and Dreaming narratives etched into stone.

7 bucket-trip worthy station stays across Australia

Float across croc-infested floodplains, immerse yourself in natural waterholes or discover the wonder of ancient Aboriginal rock art, all whilst staying in some of the most remote and remarkable places in Australia.

1. Bullara Station, WA

2. Quobba Station, WA

3. Bullo River, NT

4. Finniss River Lodge, NT

5. Gilberton Outback Retreat, QLD

6. Callubri Station, NSW

7. Flinders Bush Retreats, SA

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Unforgettable First Peoples tours and experiences in Victoria

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

Float across croc-infested floodplains, immerse yourself in natural waterholes or discover the wonder of ancient Aboriginal rock art, all whilst staying in some of the most remote and remarkable places in Australia.

1. Bullara Station, WA

2. Quobba Station, WA

3. Bullo River, NT

4. Finniss River Lodge, NT

5. Gilberton Outback Retreat, QLD

6. Callubri Station, NSW

7. Flinders Bush Retreats, SA

Two Aussie hotels make World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 list

Central Queensland’s first five-star hotel is a coastal gateway

This off-grid Blue Mountains cabin was just crowned Airbnb’s best nature escape

Once just for holiday rentals, Airbnb now plans your whole trip

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.