Driving into Kings Creek Station after hours on red dirt roads feels strangely like coming home. Waiting by the entrance is the unofficial welcoming committee: Matilda and Banjo, two goats in coats keeping growing grass in check and charming weary travellers whether they’re checking in for the night or simply passing through.
No matter the reason for your stop, whether it’s fuel, lunch or an overnight stay, you’ll be welcomed with the kind of sincere outback hospitality that makes every visitor feel less like a customer and more like a friend. The staff here are all about going the extra mile – smiles, warmth and a genuine interest in making your experience exceptionally memorable.
Station Managers Lee and Susan epitomise this spirit. If you’re lucky enough to meet them, you’ll get a real sense of how this former cattle station has evolved into the much-loved outback stay it is today. Passionate about its history and future, they are always willing to share stories of the station and the people who have shaped it.
Managing Kings Creek Station is far more than a job for Lee and Susan. This is their home, and how guests experience it matters to them on a deeply personal level. Now in their fourth season at the station, it’s clear their hearts are firmly invested in this place.
That sense of pride extends well beyond the managers. The team they have cultivated here feels more like a family than a workforce, with a genuine care for one another and a shared commitment to preserving what makes Kings Creek Station so special. It’s this sense of connection, as much as the landscape itself, that leaves a lasting impression you’ll carry with you long after the red dirt has been washed from your shoes.
Built on Grit, Camels and Country
Kings Creek Station, a 4.5 hour drive from Alice Springs, may be known today for its accommodation, warm hospitality and unforgettable outback experiences, but its story begins with a strong, determined couple and a bold vision.
Founded by local legends Ian and Lyn Conway in 1981, the station started life as a cattle operation on more than 2,000 square kilometres of rugged Red Centre country. Born in Alice to Indigenous parents, Ian was raised by his grandmother after losing his mother at just 18 months old. He grew up immersed in the land, learning native languages, tracking the country and living off bush foods long before he would go on to build one of the region’s most iconic outback destinations.
When Ian and Lyn purchased the property, they arrived with their three children and little more than $6,000 to their name. Determined to make it work, Ian built the family’s first home himself using salvaged corrugated iron, timber and whatever materials he could get his hands on. Lyn’s primary requests were a working toilet and a bath for the children. The toilet was a success. The bath, however, delivered a small electric shock each night for the first week before Ian discovered his wiring skills needed some refinement.
While cattle were the original focus, it was camels that transformed the station’s fortunes. What began as the occasional sale grew into a thriving export business, eventually making Ian Australia’s largest camel exporter. At one point, a deal with an American company saw 1,500 camels shipped from the Red Centre to New York, providing the income needed to expand and invest in what would become the tourism side of the business.
There has always been something undeniably wild about life at Kings Creek Station. From lassoing bulls and mustering brumbies by helicopter to building a business in one of Australia’s most remote landscapes, the station’s history is woven with stories of grit, determination and adventure.
In 2019, the Conways sold the station to Nullarbor Holdings, led by Tony McFadzean. While ownership may have changed, the respect for the station’s history remains. Ian continues to play a role behind the scenes, ensuring the spirit that built Kings Creek Station remains firmly part of its future.
Managers Lee and Susan now live in Ian and Lyns old colonial homestead at the Station, shared with their two English Staffies. This place is Ian’s legacy and they’re honoured to be a part of it – it’s a privilege they don’t take lightly and you can see it in the love, energy and effort they pour into this place.
Five Ways to Stay at Kings Creek Station
Whether it’s a swag under the stars or five-star luxury with sweeping views of the George Gill Range at sunrise and sunset, Kings Creek Station caters to every kind of traveller with five different levels of accommodation.
For those travelling with their own tent or a caravan in tow, the campground has a range of both powered and unpowered sites set amongst natural bushland. Popular with families, tour groups and school camps, there’s toilet, shower and laundry facilities nearby, a pool to cool off in during warmer seasons and a roaring campfire to keep you toasty in cooler months.
If you’re looking to keep things cost-effective without fully roughing it, the bush tents strike a comfortable balance. With 25 on site, each one offers a simple camping experience with added comforts like air-conditioning, two single beds (no sleeping on the ground), nearby bathroom facilities and a shared camp kitchen.
For a more private camping experience, step into one of ten Mort Conway tents. The Mort Conway camp is located in a secluded area of Kings Creek Station, 3.7km from the entrance and reception. Each tent is approximately ten metres apart, with its own ensuite and a private deck to sit and relax with a morning coffee or afternoon wine. Guests can opt for a king bed or this can be split into two singles and swags for the kids can be added upon request.
Hot tip: opt for Tent 10 for an added treat, a freestanding clawfoot bath complete with Epsom salts for the ultimate outback soak.
Drover’s Dream: Elevated Outback Living
If you’re travelling without kids and want to take an already unforgettable trip up a notch, the Drover’s Dream or Dreamtime Escarpment Package offers a more elevated way to stay.
Set about 5.8km from reception, the Drover’s Dream sits on land once used by drovers working this country, a nod to the rugged history of the station and the camps that once offered them rest after long days on the road. Today, it’s glamping reimagined, with one of the outback’s most undeniably beautiful views.
These tents feel more boutique hotel than bush camp. Inside, you’ll find a plush bed, full ensuite bathroom, kitchenette (with the option to have it fully stocked on arrival), air-conditioning, and indoor-outdoor seating positioned to take in the vast George Gill Range and the changing colours of the Watarrka landscape.
You can choose to head back to the station for a hearty dinner or cook your own meal here on your private outdoor barbecue. We recommend rising just before sunrise to watch the landscape shift through soft pinks and golds as the day begins. After that, head back to the Bough Shed at the Station for your full buffet breakfast, included with your stay.
Dreamtime Escarpment: Hidden in the Rockface
The Dreamtime Escarpment Package is Kings Creek Station’s most exclusive stay, set quietly into the rock face and made up of just three secluded tents. This is complete privacy, designed for total escape from the world but complete connection with your significant other.
Each tent is fully self-contained and feels more like a private hideaway than outback accommodation. Outside, there is a private fire pit with wood supplied for the evening, along with an outdoor bath and shower set discreetly into the rockface for slow, intimate moments under the sky.
Inside, the experience is generous and entirely taken care of. You’re greeted with a fully stocked fridge with wine, soft drinks, a cheese and meat platter, ingredients for an evening meal to cook at your leisure, chocolates and a ready-to-cook breakfast for the morning.
There is also a small container pool in the centre of the Dreamtime site, a little oasis tucked into the red rock, offering a cool contrast to the heat of the day.
This is a stay designed for stillness, where everything you need is already in place, making it easy to switch off and settle into the rhythm of the escarpment.
Beyond the Tent: How the Station Comes to Life
There’s no shortage of things to do on-site at Kings Creek Station, but one of the most memorable ways to experience it is the sunset buggy tour.
Over two hours, guides take you along the station’s back roads, a choking cloud of red dust rising around you as you grip the curves. You’ll pass Aboriginal rock carvings and Ian and Lyn’s original shack, before ending at a sunset viewing platform where a cheese platter and champagne are waiting as the landscape shifts into gold.
During your visit, ask to feed Opal and Potch, the two orphaned brumbies trained and lovingly cared for by Manager Lee. Feeding the camels is also a quintessential desert experience you cannot miss. Despite their size and appetite, there’s nothing to worry about; with no top row of teeth, they’re all big gummy smiles and even bigger enthusiasm (for snacks).
Flavours of The Outback
The café at Kings Creek Station is where the pace of the day naturally slows. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it serves up hearty, homestyle meals designed to satisfy after long drives through the Red Centre or a day exploring the station. Apparently the camel burger is a must (but that probably depends on how much you bonded with the camels).
Head Chef Luke and his offsider chef Mika are true culinary heroes. After meeting Susan and Lee in Queensland, Luke decided to join the Kings Creek Station family. With 20 years’ experience, he has trained and worked across a wide range of kitchens, bringing skill, passion and flair to every plate he lovingly serves up. It’s yet another example of how Kings Creek Station consistently exceeds expectations, serving food that strikes a thoughtful balance between hearty outback fare and restaurant-quality dining in the heart of the desert.
Unpretentious in the best way, the food is undeniably delicious (try the arancini and spring rolls for starters – you can’t go wrong). Throughout the day, travellers mingle with station staff and locals over cold drinks and generous meals, while evenings bring a relaxed buzz as stories are swapped around the table as the sun disappears beyond the horizon.
The sky is the limit when it comes to the kind of dining you can experience at Kings Creek Station. For guests after something a little more tailored, Luke and the team can arrange a hosted private dinner at the Mort Conway camp for guests desiring a more intimate and bespoke culinary experience (available upon advanced request).
This is Where the Red Centre Leaves Its Mark
For an outback experience branded in your memory, the Station delivers on all fronts. It feels like stepping into a movie – part Crocodile Dundee, part Priscilla Queen of the Desert, part wide-open Australian epic playing out in real time.
Before you leave, make time to browse the Wild Outback Co. range in the café or souvenir shop just across the walkway. From flannos to caps and keepsakes, it’s designed to take a little of the station’s spirit home with you. And if you miss it, the full collection is available online.
The busiest time of year at Kings Creek Station is June-August – when the skies are clear, the flies are limited and the temperatures are enjoyable, so to ensure you don’t miss out book your space in advance.
In partnership with Kings Creek Station
