El Questro Station: A Guide to Planning A Trip of a Lifetime

Sprawling 283,000 hectares of wilderness, East Kimberley’s legendary El Questro encompasses charred orange sandstone gorges, palm-fringed thermal springs and some of the oldest rocks (and rock art) on the planet.

Fish for barramundi in locations accessible only by air, hike one of the many walking trails and marvel at the oh-so-picturesque Zebedee Springs. Whether you explore by helicopter, 4WD, horse or boat, this ancient landscape is so unique it will forever be etched on your psyche and soul.

The El Questro story

First established as a cattle station in 1903, Englishman Will Burrell and his Australian wife Celia, nee Shelmerdine, bought the pastoral lease in 1991 with a dream of showcasing El Questro to the world. They certainly achieved that goal. In 2021, the pastoral lease was bought by the G’day Group, which has spent millions on giving El Questro’s properties a refreshed look.

Accommodation at El Questro

El Questro offers many accommodation options for travellers to choose from, each with a unique ambience. You’ll find most adventurers stay at The Station where you can slumber in a family-friendly bungalow, a pre-erected tent with air con, plug in your caravan and either dine at the steakhouse and outdoor bar or cook at the camp kitchen.

Located nine kilometres down the track, The Homestead is a polished retreat set atop Chamberlain Gorge where guests soak up the rugged landscape with gourmet picnics packed by the chef.

luxury lodges perched on the side of the cliff at El Questro Homestead — Stay in the luxe riverside lodges at El Questro Homestead. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Camping

Price: $

The Black Cockatoo General Campground at El Questro’s main hub, The Station , boasts unpowered and powered sites, hot showers, camp kitchens with BBQs and laundry facilities. For those who like a bit more comfort, opt for a Station tent, which comes fully equipped with a cosy bed, power, towels, outdoor dining setting and air conditioning.

a couple outside a camping tent at El Questro Wilderness Park — Stay at The Station for affordable camping or the fully-equipped Station tents. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

If you want to get off the beaten track, there are 30 private riverside sites along the Pentecost River about 10 minutes’ drive from The Station’s central facilities, which are available for use by all campers. Sizes of sites, shade and access to eco toilets vary, and these sites are not suitable for caravans.

camping tents at dusk, El Questro Station — Sleep under the stars at the heart of El Questro Station. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The Station

Price: $$ – $$$

Next up on the comfort ladder after the pre-erected tents are the air-conditioned bungalows, each sleeping up to four people and featuring sleek ensuites and a back deck looking out onto the river.

The Gardenview Rooms, built from Kimberley river stone, sleep four or six and have large bathrooms and air con.

a Gardenview room at The Station, El Questro — Curl up inside The Stations’ Gardenview Rooms.

Emma Gorge

Price: $$$

Some 25 kilometres away from The Station is Emma Gorge Resort, hard up against a spectacular sandstone escarpment called Cockburn Ranges.

two people sitting outside a tent at Emma Gorge, El Questro — Relax in the cosy quarters at Emma Gorge. (Image: Dan Avila)

The resort has 60 safari-style tented cabins with ensuites, a gorgeous swimming pool and a very good restaurant. All tented cabins are powered and have fans (no air con), linen, towels and outdoor dining areas in the shade of shiny Boab trees.

boab trees at sunset in El Questro Station — Boab trees with scenic sunset views in the backdrop. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

The Homestead

Price: $$$$$

Teetering on the edge of a cliff in the Kimberley’s rugged east, with mighty views over the Chamberlain Gorge, The Homestead has 10 suites with double king bedrooms. The tariff covers guided tours, minibar, gourmet meals and drinks, including wine, beer and cocktails. Additional charges apply for helicopter flights, private touring and transfers from Kununurra.

a private tub in El Questro Homestead, The Kimberley — A soak in the private tub delivers stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Breakfast is served on the verandah overlooking Chamberlain Gorge. Lunch and dinner is offered at a communal table under a shady awning. Guests can dine at a private location as an optional extra.

The bedroom at El Questro Homestead — Inside the luxury rooms of the Homestead. (Image: Supplied)

El Questro Wilderness Park experiences

Exploring El Questro Wilderness Park in WA’s East Kimberley combines classic outback adventure with a splash of luxury.

a couple admiring the scenic views at El Questro Wilderness Park — Lose yourself in the marvellous rugged landscapes within El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Emma Gorge

A favourite among Kimberley hikers, Emma Gorge trail weaves its way through rocky terrain, which can make for slow going. The carrot at the end of this 1.6-kilometre hike is the glorious swimming hole beneath a waterfall – one of 10 waterfalls at El Questro.

Chamberlain Gorge

Take a Chamberlain Gorge river tour in a large boat to spot shy Charlie, the 4.5-metre resident saltwater crocodile, and equally shy rock wallabies among the towering escarpments. Less elusive are the archer fish that spit water to bring down insects as far as 3m away.

Heli Fishing

Head out on a fishing adventure with an El Questro guide either by Helicopter or in a 4WD. With a little local knowledge you can try your hand at catching a barra. All fishing gear, lunch and drinks are provided.

Zebedee Springs

An easy jaunt from the carpark, Zebedee Thermal Springs is a beautiful spot where you can bathe in warm water pools surrounded by lush vegetation. Exclusive use of Zebedee Springs is offered to Homestead guests every afternoon.

Explosion Gorge

Set off on a bone-rattling 17-kilometre drive from The Station to Explosion Gorge, part of the Chamberlain Gorge system. The track follows the beginning of the Elgee Cliffs escarpment and along the way there are several access tracks, which take you to waterholes, remote fishing areas and Branko’s Lookout.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Branco’s Lookout

A stunning location to take in sunset, Branco’s Lookout was named after Branko Raicevic, a Wyndham local who served as a councillor and shire president for the town.

Pentecost River

The Pentecost River passes through El Questro Wilderness Park and makes an ideal place for camping. It is famed as one of the best spots in the area to go barramundi fishing.

Buddy’s Point

Can there be a more perfect way to finish a Kimberley day than with cheese and bubbles at this private 360-degree lookout? Buddy’s Point was named in honour of El Questro legend Buddy Tyson, a former rodeo champion, cattle drover and tour guide who was renowned for his ability to spin a good yarn.

Miri Miri Falls

Jump in a helicopter and zoom off to a remote corner of El Questro where you will find Miri Miri – a spring-fed waterfall cascading over a 50-metre drop.

FAQs

How to get to El Questro

The 110-kilometre drive from Kununurra is on mostly sealed roads. Kununurra Airport is served by Qantas, Air North and Virgin from all major Australian cities via Darwin, Broome and Perth. El Questro operates twice daily scheduled road transfers from Kununurra and it is also possible to charter a light plane or helicopter and hire 4WD vehicles.

a couple stands on a cliff edge marvelling at the vast landscapes and towering escarpments on a helicopter tour at El Questro Station — It is possible to charter a helicopter to El Questro. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Do you need a 4WD to visit?

You will need a 4WD to get into El Questro Station.

an aerial view of 4WD travelling through the Pentecost River Crossing — The outback terrain of El Questro definitely requires a 4WD. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Can you take a caravan to El Questro?

El Questro does recommend off-road caravans and campers, but many other caravans do make the trip into The Station. There is a 16-kilometre unsealed section with two water crossings that are about 300-500mm in depth.

Best time of year to visit

The winter months of June to August. The property is closed during the wet season, November to April.

an aerial view of a vehicle driving along El Questro Wilderness Park — Go off-grid at El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

For more wonders of the Kimberley to see on your way, read our travel guide to this awe-inspiring region of Western Australia.

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Here’s how to plan a trip of a lifetime to El Questro Station

Sprawling 283,000 hectares of wilderness, East Kimberley’s legendary El Questro encompasses charred orange sandstone gorges, palm-fringed thermal springs and some of the oldest rocks (and rock art) on the planet.

The El Questro story