Lawn Hill Station

Lawn Hill Station is a remote outback cattle station in northwest Queensland that has reinvented itself as an eco-tourism destination, offering a rare blend of rugged station life and lush, spring-fed gorges. This working property invites you to experience the real Australian outback with a side of unexpected tropical beauty, where red dirt meets palm-fringed waterholes.

Highlights & What to See

• Lawn Hill Gorge – A stunning series of sandstone gorges carved by permanent springs. Kayak or canoe through emerald-green water flanked by Livistona palms and ancient cycads; keep an eye out for freshwater crocodiles basking on the banks.
• Indarri Falls – A short walk leads to these tiered waterfalls that cascade into deep, swim-friendly pools. The contrast of the dry spinifex country against the cool, clear water is unforgettable.
• Station Homestead & Heritage – Join a guided tour to learn about the property’s history as a working cattle station since the 1870s. See original shearing sheds, stockyards, and the homestead’s collection of outback memorabilia.
• Birdwatching & Wildlife – The gorge and its surrounds are a haven for birdlife, including purple-crowned fairy-wrens, great bowerbirds, and the rare buff-sided robin. Wallabies and echidnas are also common.
• Walking Trails – Explore the gorge rim on the 2.5 km Indarri Falls Walk or the longer 4.5 km Gorge Walk, both offering panoramic views over the water and escarpments.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allocate at least a full day to appreciate Lawn Hill Station. Most visitors arrive mid-morning, spend a few hours kayaking and walking the gorge trails, then enjoy a picnic lunch by the water. If you have two days, consider an overnight stay in the station’s safari tents or cabins – you’ll have the gorge to yourself in the early morning and late afternoon, when the light is best for photography and wildlife is most active. A single day is enough for a whistle-stop tour, but you’ll wish you’d stayed longer.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park – Adjacent to the station, this park protects the broader Lawn Hill Gorge system and offers additional walking tracks and camping areas.
• Riversleigh Fossil Site – A World Heritage–listed area 50 km south, famous for its 25-million-year-old mammal fossils. The Riversleigh Fossil Centre in nearby Gregory Downs provides excellent interpretive displays.
• Gregory Downs – A tiny outpost with a historic pub, a general store, and access to the Gregory River – a great spot for a cold drink after a day on the gorge.
• Burketown – About 200 km north, this Gulf of Carpentaria town is the gateway to the remote Gulf Savannah and offers barramundi fishing and the famous “Morning Glory” cloud phenomenon.
• Adels Grove – A campground and lodge just outside the national park that provides affordable accommodation and a restaurant – a handy base for exploring the area.

Please check official sources for current details.