Discover remote luxury at Gilberton Outback Retreat
When you think of a remote cattle station, luxury isn’t the first thing that comes to mind but that is exactly what you are going to get at Gilberton Outback Retreat.
In the heart of the Queensland Outback, about 6 hours drive west of Townsville, Gilberton is a huge working cattle station. It’s a dusty drive in but welcome you receive when you get there makes it all worth it.
If you’re not keen to drive so far or prefer to visit during the wet season, when roads are often cut, helicopter charters are available.
Views don’t get much better than this…
Home to around 1200 head of Brahmin cattle and an incredibly deluxe cabin that owners Lyn and Rob built from stone from the property. Each rock was chosen specifically and this level of detail shows. Appreciate the large pieces of granite, sandstone, quartz, ironbark, ironwood and lancewood that make up the bones of this ‘hut,’ as Lyn referred to it!
Out here there’s no phone, no television and no WiFi, just uninterrupted views of the Gilberton River and the company of the family at the homestead where dinner is served.
The retreat open to the elements and is decked out with a king bed and a luxurious bathtub. Don't worry, there's no one around to see you—the retreat only hosts two people at a time meaning you can enjoy the uninterrupted panoramic views from the outdoor bath without feeling self-conscious.
The beauty is in the details.
There are small, interesting details throughout the retreat that really tell a story. The soap caddy in the open shower is made from an old horseshoe, the base of the table where we ate breakfast is and old singer sewing machine and the pedal is well-oiled and still works.
Enjoying the welcome platter!
Lyn and Rob and have thought of everything. There is a welcome platter of cheese and snacks, the fridge is full stocked with beer, wine and champers, you will find toiletries in the bathroom should you have forgotten something and a coffee pot for your morning fix.
While open to the elements and Queensland nights in May get cool – we were thrilled to discover the most plush, warm doona I have ever seen on the bed. Not once did I feel cold which is no mean feat.
After sharing a home cooked meal at the homestead with the family, we settled in for a sound sleep on our first night here, listening to the sounds of the outback as we dozed off.
Gilberton Station started in 1869 and has been passed down through seven generations, this family know every inch of their property and it is such a privilege that they share it with you!
Visitors here can make the experience all their own. Relax, get involved in station life, explore indigenous rock art on the property or fossick for gold around an old mine.
Incredible art that survives the elements and time.
On our first morning, Lyn takes us on a buggy drive and a short 350m hike to an Aboriginal rock art site. More than 30,000 years ago, the Ewamian, Jana and Woolgar peoples walked this land and Lyn works hard to make sure it remains untouched, apparently never taking the same route to the spot.
We sit under a cave ledge that protects the etchings with billy tea and baked morning tea, admiring the art and artefacts that you can see all around you.
Billy tea!
On our drive back through the station, we checked on the cow ‘nursery’ as there were many new calves hanging out with their mums.
After a relaxed lunch, we headed out with one of the prospectors staying on the property to see if we could find some gold. Armed with metal detectors and a positive attitude we found two small pieces in about three hours so won’t be quitting our day jobs just yet.
Always hopeful!
It was fun to give it a go through, I am pretty sure Aiden has gold fever and wants to keep searching but Falcor and I were ready to go back and relax.
Falcor ready to head home
We return to the retreat and I unwind in the free-standing tub, chilled champagne on call from a slightly unwilling Aiden. In the changing light of dusk, the sky moved through every mood.
The day wasn’t over as we wandered over the hill to enjoy a firepit BBQ with the family and some prospectors who are also staying on the station. Good food, good wine, good company and a seemingly endless canopy of stars and I can see myself spending a lot more time here!
The ultimate BBQ setup
Several hours later, the full moon guided us on the short walk back to the retreat for another sound sleep.
Our final morning has arrived and I want to soak up every last second in this retreat. We enjoy breakfast made from the hamper in the fridge (eggs, cheese, ham and fruit) looking over the river and play with Falcor before jumping in the car for the long drive to Townsville.
Driving back to reality.
Beyond the natural beauty and the one-of-a-kind accommodation, the main thing I am taking with me is the time with our hosts, Lyn and Rob. They opened not only their station, but their home to visitors and there is a connection to the land here that is unbreakable.
You will hear fascinating stories and conversations about floods, droughts, mining stories and even a fire that destroyed the original family homestead.
The guys here have done everything they can to protect the land and environment for future generations, not something that comes to mind when you remember you are on a cattle station, but this is so much more than that.
One last look at the sunrise.
As well as receiving a Nature Tourism certification, the retreat is carbon neutral and solar powered – as is the whole farm. All the food you eat during your all-inclusive stay is sourced from local producers and a sustainable garden on site.
As we leave all I can think of is visiting in the wet season to see the river brimming and wildlife teeming. I imagine it would be like visiting a whole different place – I will have to save up and put it on the bucket list!
