Situated between Karijini National Park and the World Heritage Ningaloo Reef, Cheela Plains Station Stay makes an ideal overnight or longer break from the road. Well signed and just an easy 1KM gravel road leads to the campsite. It’s suitable for 2WD vehicles, caravans and campervans.

A welcome break

Having driven through so much arid land in the Pilbara, Cheela Station Stay is like an oasis with a large circular green lawn surrounded by trees that opens out to the extensive dry surrounds of the 188,000-hectare station. Powered sites are arranged around the lawn on level ground with plenty of space also available for tents. It can be really hot here, as it was during our visit, and having sufficient power to run air-conditioning is an unusual and very welcome feature on station stays.

BBQ Evening

We were certainly made to feel welcome by all the staff and Robin the co-owner who dropped-by during the evening BBQ burger meal at the camp kitchen. Meals are available most evenings and are a great way to relax and make new friends with fellow travellers.

Nothing is ever too much trouble; a resistant hose tap connector was very quickly replaced with a new tap. The friendly staff are always eager to offer help, advice and knowledge of the station, the station’s wildlife and what to look out for in the night sky.

Just behind the the campsite a marked walk leads to the viewpoint above the station, which gives some idea just how big the station is. The walk is a must first thing in the morning or at the end of the day to watch the sun set over the plains.

An unexpected bonus is the cafe where fresh coffee and homemade cakes can be enjoyed indoors or under cover in the shade of a gum tree.

Astro Fest

The dark night sky at Cheela Plains Station provides a perfect location for budding, amateur and seasoned astronomers with clear skies and a full 360-degree horizon. Each year Cheela Station hosts a 3-night Astro Fest event with self-contained accommodation available in addition to campsites for caravans and tents. We were a couple of weeks too early for the event but there will be plenty of opportunities to see the stars as we continue our travels throughout Western Australia.

https://www.cheelaplains.com.au/astrofest.html

While wandering around the campsite we noticed an impressive sign near the camp kitchen that had been hand cut with a gas torch. It was positioned in just the right place to be backlit by the setting sun. Needless to say, it was well photographed by all during Happy Hour.

Due to continuing poor wet seasons and lack of grass the station has unfortunately been de-cattled, not for the first time sadly, with only the cows and their young remaining.

Bungarras

Wildlife still remains active on the station including several sizeable Bungarra lizards that can be found wandering around the campsite. Though best not to approach too closely, especially during mating season, they’re quite happy to pose for a photograph or two.

A form of Perentie lizzard or Goanna, and the largest lizzard native to Australia growing up to 2.5-metres long. They are the fourth largest lizzard in the world and closely related to the Indonesian Komodo Dragon, though fortunately not quite so large.

We really enjoyed our stay here and not being restricted with power was a big plus. It also gave us plenty of time to recharge our caravan batteries following our stay at Karijini National Park.

For more information or bookings check: https://www.cheelaplains.com.au