FAQ's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The station is 188,501 hectares or 1,885 square kilometers or 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.
Cheela Plains Station acknowledge Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging.
The Red Plains café is open from April 1st to mid-October. Red Plains Dining is open to seasonal tourists from April 1st to mid-October and open to corporate guests all year round.
During the tourist season, the café is open from 7:30am - 2:30pm and offers sweet and savoury pastries and cakes made by our pastry chef, Kristel. Toasties, wraps, sandwiches, barista coffee, pots of tea and cool drinks are also available.
We recommend you make a booking online to secure your site/room. School holidays can be particularly busy and to ensure you have a safe location to camp the night we highly suggest you take advantage of our online booking system. Full payment is required at the time of booking. To book in please click this link:
https://book-directonline.com/properties/cheelaplainsstationstaydirect
Campground guests can check-in from 11am.
Room guests can check-in from 2pm
Wilderness Camp guests can check-in between 11am and 4pm ONLY. Check-ins after 4pm are not allowed due to safety reasons and comfortability of guests getting set up before dark. Wildlife and livestock roam the roads from late afternoon and into the night causing hazards if driving after 4pm.
The Station Stay Campground has a communal fire pit which is lit between 5:00-5:30pm, subject to weather conditions on the day. No personal fires are allowed.
However, the wilderness campsite bookings are allowed to have their own fires in the drums provided. Firewood can be collected by hand from dead wood in the area. Cutting and chopping down branches and trees is strictly forbidden. (no saws allowed).
One vehicle per site with a maximum of six guests are allowed at Red Plains Campground. The wilderness campsites also have a maximum of guests per site, but the number of vehicles varies depending on the size of the site.
Refer to the photos on the online booking page for specific information about each site: https://book-directonline.com/properties/cheelaplainsstationstaydirect
If travelling with more than one vehicle for any campsite, please write in comment box so we can assign campsites appropriately.
Yes, chemical toilets are required at Mussel and Nummana Pool campsites. A drop toilet and cold shower is available at Woongarra Pool campsite.
We have two chemical toilets for hire. It is a first in first served system so make sure you book the toilet when you make your online booking. The rate is a one off $40 fee.
Yes, we have potable water that comes from an underground bore which is high in calcium. There are taps located at the Station Stay for guests to fill caravan tanks.
Guests can also access one of our three filtered water taps to fill one, five litre water container per guest.
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. Departures are prohibited after 2 pm.
If you stay two or more nights in a campsite or one or more nights in a room you will be given a complimentary map of the 4X4 Self-Drive Safari map to explore the station tracks. If you are only staying one night in the campground or just out from town for the day, the fee to obtain a map and head out for the 4X4 Self-Drive Safari is $20 per vehicle.
It is a great way to explore the ancient geological landscape in the heart of the Pilbara. The Beasley Gorge also offers swimming, walking trails and the chance to see wildlife.
Please note, we do not offer any guided tours.
Walking trails from the Station Stay include the Sunset Lookout which is an easy 30 minute walk from the Red Plains Campground and offers sweeping 360 degree views of the Cheela Plains to the south and the foothills of the Hamersley Ranges to the north. The Cave walk is an easy 6km return hike. Allow a two hour return.
From the Beasley Gorge there are three short trails marked on the map. The Wall is a 300m return. Perentie Fall is a 600m and Mussel Pool Lookout are both 600m return hikes.
Cheela Plains Station does not sell fuel. The nearest fuel to the west is 180 kms at Nanutarra Roadhouse and to the east is 94 kms in the township Paraburdoo.
For more information and helpful links, head to: https://www.cheelaplains.com.au/travel-information/
Paraburdoo is the closest town at 94 kms east. Travel time is 1 hour on a bitumen road from Cheela Plains Station.
Tom Price is the second closest town. We recommend driving to Tom Price via Paraburdoo which is 170 kms (approximately 2 hours).
For more information and helpful links, head to: https://www.cheelaplains.com.au/travel-information/
Exmouth is 560 kms so you need to allow at least 6 hours.
For more information and helpful links, head to: https://www.cheelaplains.com.au/travel-information/
If one of our team members is available, we can offer minor vehicle and tyre repairs. The rate is $2 per minute with a minimum of 20 minutes ($40). Tyre plugs cost $10/packet. Other parts vary in price depending on the market value.
Alternatively, the nearest mechanic is in Paraburdoo.
For more information and helpful links, head to: https://www.cheelaplains.com.au/travel-information/
Yes, snakes are seen year round all around the property. When walking around at night please make sure you have a torch and are wearing enclosed shoes.
If you see a snake stay calm and move out of its way. Do not try moving in close to “check it out” or take photos.
If you or a member of your group are bitten by a snake. Please remain calm, dial 000 and follow proper protocols. Paraburdoo is the closest hospital but follow the guidance of the medical professionals. Do not move about, run or panic. You need to stay calm, relax and slow your breathing. Reception and the Red Plains Café are equipped with snake bit kits.
