Kalbarri & Murchison House Station

Murchison House Station is one of Western Australia's oldest and largest working pastoral stations, spanning 350,000 acres (approximately 140,000 hectares) in the Mid West region. Located about 12 km east of the coastal town of Kalbarri and 650 km north of Perth, it borders the Indian Ocean to the west, the Murchison River to the east, and Kalbarri National Park to the north. The station offers a mix of agricultural operations, rich natural landscapes, and tourism experiences, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and history buffs.

Established in 1858 by Charles von Bibra, the station has over 150 years of pastoral history. It was originally used for sheep farming; by 1934, it supported around 20,000 sheep and 150 horses. In 1907, brothers Thomas Amos Drage and William John Drage purchased it for £18,250 (equivalent to about A$3.08 million today), including stock and furnishings. The property changed hands several times, notably acquired in 1972 by Mukarram Jah, the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad (an Indian prince), before being placed in liquidation in 1996 due to his declining fortunes in India. Today, it is family-owned and operated, with a focus on conservation alongside farming. The homestead, a heritage-listed site, was notably flooded in 2006 when the Murchison River rose over 1 meter, but volunteers protected it with sandbags and plastic sheeting.

The station sits on the ancient Toolonga limestone escarpment, formed 150 million years ago as a coral reef and now rising up to 180 meters above sea level. This creates rugged, dramatic terrain in the station's centre, including red Tumblagooda sandstone gorges (400-500 million years old, unique to the region). Other features include:
60 km of rugged Indian Ocean coastline with dunes and heathlands.
30 km of Murchison River floodplains, with permanent soaks and springs providing abundant water.
Varied soils: red or black loam over limestone inland, and sandy soils in coastal areas.
The plentiful water sources foster prolific wildlife, including large flocks of birds, kangaroos, emus, and feral goats (which are now mustered and managed as a resource).

Murchison House Station is open to visitors from April 1 to October 31 (closed in summer for stock management). It's a working station focused on goat mustering and trapping, but tourism is a key draw.
Riverside sites along the Murchison River near the historic homestead, with shade from large gum trees. Basic facilities like toilets and hot showers available. | Suitable for all vehicles; self-contained campers preferred. Cost around AUD $20-30/night. |
Off-grid, secluded spots on the north side of the river, exploring 350,000 acres of wilderness. | 4WD required; fully self-sufficient (no facilities).