Sitting around 85km east of Uluru lies the million acre pastoral property of Curtin Springs Station. A stunning stretch of landscape that straddles the roles of both working cattle station and incredible tourist destination.
The original Mt Conner Station was settled in 1943, and the Severin family have made the remote location their home since 1956. Curtin Springs now stands as a testament to the commitment that multiple generations of the Severin family have made to the pastoral and tourism industries.
For the last six decades, as pioneers in the tourism and pastoral industries, the family have been strong caretakers of the pastoral land with over 4,000 head of cattle and, touristic assets such as accommodation, private guided walks and even handmade paper making tours.
Accessible from Alice Springs by heading 360km southwest along the Lasseter Highway (roughly 3.5-4 hours drive) or 1 hour east of Ayers Rock Resort, Curtin Springs is a must visit for anyone exploring Central Australia; for its views, its charms, its history and even the rugged appeal of its cattle station workings.
Offering not just cozy and comfortable rooms, but also a very good homebase for day trips to Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, the Curtin Springs Wayside Inn is the perfect spot for any family or couple to stay.
The 27 rooms on offer range from double ensuites, family rooms, triple ensuites, budget rooms with shared bathrooms all the way to an impressive campground - which is free if you’re staying without the need for power!
The Wayside Inn also has its own restaurant located under the historic original homestead building, The Bough Shed; serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Do note that breakfast is currently available from 7am and lunch finishes at 2pm, while dinner runs from 6-7pm only - it’s worth it to make the deadlines as there’s nothing nicer than a wonderful homestyle bush & European inspired meals, sitting under the Bough Shed and enjoying the tranquility.
The Severin family pride themselves on never turning away potential campers. If you’re looking for a campsite though which attaches to power, you’ll need to book in advance and the fee is $55 per night.
If you’re staying on an unpowered site though, the only thing you’ll need to pay for is the shower (which is $4 per shower for all camping sites, powered or unpowered). It’s also worth noting that they do not take bookings for unpowered sites and they are based on a first come first serve basis, you’ll want to arrive early in the day to pick out the best patch.
The campground has BBQ facilities, showers ($4ea), toilets and even the opportunity to fill up your water tanks ($10 per tank). If you’ve found that the Ayers Rock Resort campsite is a little too crowded (or even booked out), then Curtin Springs just down the road is likely exactly what you’re looking for.
Did you know that paper could be made from grass? Curtin Springs offers an excellent 1 hour tour at the site’s Old Abattoir where you’ll get the full rundown of papermaking from the native grasses harvested by hand all the way to final production and the products that they make from the paper. During your tour, you’ll even get the chance to make your own! A truly authentic souvenir of this wonderful landscape.
Tours operate from 4pm each day depending on the demand (i.e. a minimum of 2 paying adults). Adult tickets are $35, childrens’ tickets are $5 (5 - 12 years old), and infants under the age of 5 can take the tour for free. An awesome shady afternoon activity to keep the kids entertained and take a break from the heat!
Paper Making from grass harvesting to final product
The land and environment of Curtin Springs is truly unlike anywhere else in Central Australia. The starkly contrasted salt lakes set against red desert and the immense Mount Conner make walking here an inspiration and sets the imagination loose.
As the challenges of Covid-19 start to diminish, the Curtin Springs Walks program will be offering a limited program during 2022.
On a guided walk you’ll learn all about the cattle station and its history with conservation efforts, the significance of the land, the science behind the stunning salt lakes and the chance to simply wander in your own way to take it all in. For something really special though, you need to do the Full Moon Walk. Think of a pleasant afternoon walk, taking in Mount Conner as the sun sets, hearing all you can about the region & its history and finishing with an iridescent view of the moon’s beam over crystalline white salt lakes - incredible.
And if you’re coming here specifically for the Full Moon Walk (which you definitely should be!), you can purchase a package for $1,050 per person or $940 per person in a couple and get accommodation at the Wayside Inn, a variety of meals, transport around the place and the walking package included. Advanced bookings essential, minimum numbers apply, find out more information here.
Curtin Springs Salt Lakes Walk
From paper making to moonlit walks over ancient salt lakes, Curtin Springs is like no other place in Central Australia. With its convenient location, exceptional level of hospitality and so much to do here, what are you waiting for? Book your tour to Curtin Springs today!
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