Photo: Christallkeks / CC BY-SA 3.0
Curtin Springs Station is a working cattle station and iconic outback stopover on the Lasseter Highway, 85 km east of Uluru. It offers a genuine taste of remote Australian station life, with red-dirt hospitality, striking desert landscapes, and a chance to see the stars like nowhere else. The property spans over 4,000 square kilometres and has been run by the Severin family for generations, making it a living piece of the Red Centre’s pastoral history.
Highlights & What to See
- Station tours: Join a guided tour to learn about cattle mustering, desert conservation, and the Severin family’s fascinating story. You’ll see working yards, windmills, and maybe even a camel or two.
- Bush walks: Explore the surrounding red dunes and spinifex country on self-guided trails. Look for desert wildlife like red kangaroos and dingoes, and enjoy panoramic views of Mount Conner (Artilla).
- Sunset viewing: Watch the sun sink over the vast plains from the station’s elevated vantage point – a quieter alternative to Uluru’s sunset crowds.
- Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, the night sky here is spectacular. Bring a blanket and lie back to spot the Milky Way and Southern Cross.
- Homestead accommodation: Stay in simple but comfortable rooms, or pitch a tent at the campground. The on-site bar and restaurant serve hearty outback meals and cold drinks.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors stop for a couple of hours to stretch their legs, grab a meal, and do a quick tour. To fully appreciate the station’s atmosphere and its desert surrounds, consider an overnight stay. One night gives you time for an afternoon walk, sunset drinks, a guided tour the next morning, and a night under the stars. If you’re on a tight itinerary, a 90-minute lunch stop is enough to soak in the vibe.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – just over an hour’s drive east, the park is home to the iconic monolith and the domes of Kata Tjuta. Plan a full day or more to explore both.
- Mount Conner (Artilla) – this flat-topped mesa is visible from the station and can be viewed from a lookout on the Lasseter Highway. It’s often mistaken for Uluru from a distance.
- Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) – about 2.5 hours north-east via the Luritja Road, Kings Canyon offers dramatic sandstone cliffs and the famous Rim Walk.
- Yulara resort town – the gateway to Uluru, with accommodation, dining, and the Field of Light art installation. It’s a convenient base for exploring the national park.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Uluru — Ek2030372672 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kata Tjuta — Tourism NT / Attribution
- Mount Conner — Menphrad at German Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kings Canyon — Zoharby / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Yulara — Menphrad at English Wikipedia / Public domain
- Lasseter Highway — wallygrom / CC BY-SA 2.0