Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a range of accommodation:

• Private Cabins: Family Cottage (1 king & 4 singles in 2 rooms) & Cabins (Desert Oak 4-poster bed)

• Bush Cottage: 1 queen & 3 single beds, this room is warmly appointed however is not air-conditioned. It has a fireplace. A true replica of living in the 19th century (with benefits)

• Campground: Equipped with communal showers, toilets and washing machine facilities.

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Yes pet are allowed at Ooraminna, but only if you are staying in the campground.

Pets are not permitted in the cottages and cabins. 

All dogs must be on a leash due to the wandering livestock and baby animals that are loose.

Pig dogs or hunting dogs are not allowed.

Please respect the property and its surroundings. Keeping your pet under control and cleaning up after them.
Please ensures that your pet does not disturb other guests or wildlife, maintaining a peaceful environment for everyone.

Animals that disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of other guests or threaten or damage property, people or domestic livestock will be asked to leave. 

The Wildhorse Bar and Grill is open daily in peak season, from June 2026.

Bookings are essential. Delicious fresh Modern Australian Cuisine is on  offer and the menu changes. 

Breakfast is available to in house guests for an additional fee, subject to restaurant being open at the time of your stay.

Please contact us to book on 08 89530477 or email info@ooraminna.com.au

Dietary requirements can be catered for, please let us know in advance.

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No.

Ooraminna is private property and the swimming pool is exclusively for in-house guests.

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Ooraminna is a licensed venue. There is no BYO to the restaurant or pool area, this includes food and picnics.

If you would like to go for a swim on a hot day and do not have a restaurant or accommodation booking may we recommend Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Redbank Gorge  or  Alice Springs Aquatic Centre.

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Pool rules must be adhered to.

Children must be monitored at all times.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Yes, weddings may be held at Ooraminna Station.

Welcome to the event of your dreams. We will arrange your perfect day for you.

Then on the red sands of the Simpson Desert you can dine under a moonlit sky and dance the evening away beneath a canopy of stars.

An intimate and ultimately memorable venue to create everlasting memories.

There are multiple locations on property where we facilitate ceremonies, photographs and wedding receptions.

Please email us a request for more information. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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TV & FILM

Ooraminna Station Homestead is one of Australia's premier film locations. Please check with staff if a film crew will be on location during your stay. If so, you may be asked to sign a NDA! Too exciting!

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The followiong productions, amongst others, have been filmed on property: 

Sweet Country 2017

The Bachelor USA Proposal 2020

Home and Away episode Revenge 2016

Australian Idol, Jessica Mauboy audition 2006

60 Minutes "The Sting" 2024

The Betoota Advocate - Official trailer 2024

Ford Ranger Advertisement 2016

Russell Coight makes a spear 

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Ted Egan, legendary Australian Singer/songwriter, wrote a song in 1981 - "The Drover's Boy".

Set in the 1920s, The Drover's Boy recalls the time when it was illegal for Caucasians and Aboriginals to marry or women to ride with the men in the stock camp. It is the story of a drover (the Australian name for a cowboy or sheep herder) who is forced to pass off his Aboriginal wife as a "drover's boy".

Ted Egan wrote this song as a tribute to the Aboriginal stockwomen, in the hope that one day their enormous contribution to the Australian pastoral industry might be recognised and honoured.

He decided to make a film of this story, generated funding from entrepreneurs and built the filmset on the Hayes' property Deep Well Station. Sadly, the film was never completed, but the project resulted in an excellent film clip that covers his song and the set buildings remain today.​​​​​​​​​​​

No.

We do recommend however that if you are exploring the Central Desert Region, that you do so in a larger vehicle such as an SUV or 4WD and one with a bull bar. Outback roads can be challenging.

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The 23km road from Alice Springs to Ooraminna front gate is sealed, but you do pass through Owen Springs Station and Deep Welll Station and there may be cattle on the roadside. Just slow down and wave to them as you pass by! 

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The access road from the front gate into the property is unsealed but generally accessible by 2WD.

You may see horses and cattle roaming free on property. Please take it easy and adhere to the speed limits.

The only time you might need a 4WD is in the case of exceptionally heavy rain. 

Please contact the station on 08 89530477 for a road report if the weather is unseasonally wet!

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If needed, we can collect you from the front gate on one of the station vehicles. There's always a way to make your visit to the Central Desert a true Outback experience!

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Please check your cancellation policy on your booking to see if you are eligible for a refund. You can also refer to our Booking Conditions.

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The cost of operating any business in a remote location is enormous and we require notice for cancellations.​ Plan your travel and contact us as early as possible to make any changes or request a refund.

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If a pre-scheduled event is cancelled, we offer a full refund to all events that are organised by Ooraminna.​​​​​​​​​​

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Ooraminna is located 30 minutes' drive South of Alice Springs on the MARYVALE Rd towards Chambers Pillar and is on the edge of the Simpson Desert. It is well signposted.

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Google maps may be unreliable and do not follow a route past the Alice Springs Airport, or you will end up on a dirt track on Deep Well Station.

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Take the Maryvale road turnoff which is BEFORE you arrive at the airport if you are heading out to us from Alice Springs.

Clear Directions to Ooraminna can be found here.

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If you are planning to explore the Alice Springs region on the remote outback roads, we recommend that you hire a reasonable size vehicle, SUV or 4WD and always carry at least 10L of water.

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There is so much to see and do in the region. Alice Springs has a number of incredible museums offering a wealth of history and some fabulous cafes. Plan at least 3 or 4 days to drive around the East and West MacDonnell ranges, both are very accessible for day trips from Ooraminna Station. ​​​

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Ooraminna is approximately 600 acres of excised private pastoral land situated in the middle of Deep Well Cattle Station, that belonged to the Hayes family for over a hundred years. 

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The Deep Well Homestead is about 40km away, and Ooraminna was established when Ted Egan built the flimset to make his film "The Drover's Boy". When the film crew left, the set remained and Jan and her husband Bill kept the buildings and generated further development with the hope to create a business to supplement the Deep Well cattle enterprise by way of holding events, parties and weddings on the beautiful section of the station.

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Very soon after this, old Bill sadly died and Jan shut down the propterty for over 10 years. In 2017, Jan Hayes sold Ooraminna Station Homestead to the Lorimer Family who had been running cattle in the Northern Territoy for 20 years and had a rich family history in Pastoral Australia. Then in 2023, Jan sold Deep Well Station to the Oldfield Family, a Northern Territory Pastoral Pioneering family with pastoral history like no other.

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Today, custody of the remarkable outback property has passed to Intrepid Travel, to continue the vision of enabling people to experience the allure of the Central Australia. Ooraminna Station Homestead joins the Stay Intrepid properties as a place of deep connection with community, culture and nature.

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Due to our location and the livestock nearby, we ask that you do not pass through any fences or gates onto Deep Well Station or Undoolya Station while enjoying the Ooraminna property.

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In 2021, the Lorimers built a road up to the top of one of the escarpments on Ooraminna. The view of the East and West Macdonnell ranges from the lookout is unsurpassed. 

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Generating the sense that you are on top of the world, now the Lookout is the prefered site of wedding proposals, ceremonies, welcome drinks for retreats and of course, sunset drinks and date nights for our in-house guests! 

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The gap in the hills at 12 O'clock is "The Heavitree Gap", leading through the ranges into the Alice Springs Township. If you look along the ranges you can see the other "gaps" - Jessie Gap, Emily Gap to the East and Simpsons Gap  to the West.

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The white dots before the Heavitree Gap are the aeroplane stores at the Alice Springs Airport. During Covid-19, when most of world's fleet of aircraft was grounded, there were over 150 jumbo jets stored at the Alice Springs Airport. It was quite a spectacle!​​​​​​​​​

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We'd love to help you celebrate a special event, family gathering, big birthday bash, wedding, anniversary or corporate function.

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Please email info@ooraminna.com.au to talk to us about what kind of event you have in mind!

The dark skies are perfect for gazing at galaxies and looking out for shooting stars.

On the 600 acre property we have a range of walking trails to explore the bush terrain. There's also a billabong that attracts many species of birds and other wildlife.

Talk to our staff about more things that you can enjoy discovering at Ooraminna.

If you happen to spot a snake, it pays to be alert, but not alarmed. Most reptiles will be eager to get away from you quickly.

Not all snakes are venomous, but don't attempt to handle any and our staff are trained to assist.