FAQ's

The name ‘Cheela; can be found on the very first maps of the area as ‘Cheerlah’ which is an aboriginal name for calcrete. The Cheela Spring flows out of a calcrete creek bed which is most uncommon for the area. We assume that over the years as maps were updated, the spelling migrated to Cheela.

We are open to tourists seasonally from 1st April to 31st October.  We are open to resource exploration and road crews year round.

The station is 188,501 hectares or 1,885 square kilometers or in acres approximately 500,000 acres.

Numbers of cattle vary on the station depending on rainfall. There can be none if we feel the landscape needs resting due to low rainfall or as many as 6,000 head in a good season.

This is an extremely fragile rangeland ecosystem that requires careful rest of the pasture so our herds of cattle may be kilometres away being constantly moved to fresh pasture across the 188,000 ha of the station.

Yes, we are an oasis in the desert. Most of our sites have shade and all have access to green lawn.

Pets on a leash at all times are most welcome.

The Station Stay Campground has a communal fire pit. No personal fires are allowed. However, the wilderness campsites are allowed to have their own fires in the drums provided. Firewood can be collected from dead wood in the area (no saws allowed).

Yes, please test out our iconic BBQ plate that swings across over the fire pit.

We accept all major credit cards, cash and direct debit, although we prefer payment by card.

The cafe is open seasonally from 1st April to 31st October, from 7.00am to 4.30pm.  Enjoy a Cuppa 'N' Cake, breakfast, lunch and snacks.  Dinner is served at 6:30pm each evening serving a set menu each night. Please e-mail for current menu. We offer a weekly dinner menu.   Click HERE for cafe menus.

We have 4X4 self-drive tours to two locations, The Beasley Gorge and The Cheela Spring. Allow at least 3 hours return for each tour.

You need to allow at least 3 hours return. It’s a fascinating place to spend the day if you have the time. Departures from the Station Stay are prohibited after 2 pm.

The swimming hole is located at Mussel Pool.

Mussel Pool is 34 kms from the Campground. 22kms on bitumen and 12 kms on gravel.

Unregistered and registered recreational all-terrain vehicles, motorbikes and buggies are prohibited from entering Cheela Plains Station.

No. Our horses are valued members of our Station family and you may see them being ridden from time to time

It takes 1 hours to drive the 90 kms on bitumen road into Paraburdoo.

We recommend driving to Tom Price via Paraburdoo which is 170 kms (approximately 2 hours).

Cheela Plains Station does not sell fuel. The nearest fuel to the west is 180 kms at Nanutarra Roadhouse and to the east is 90 kms in the township Paraburdoo.

Exmouth is 560 kms so you need to allow at least 6 hours.

No. The nearest mechanic is in Paraburdoo, 90kms from Cheela.

The nearest mechanic is in Paraburdoo.