Bullara Station, Western Australia

With the weather not likely to change we decided to head to Exmouth, about 5 hours away. As we do, we stopped at a couple of free sites along the way just to look at, and decided to stay at Barradale Rest area, just off the highway. A large area with a toilet, tables and rubbish bins. It started raining at night and we were not sure how the ground would be in the morning, but we were ok. One van did get stuck in the sticky red mud. Before leaving Jonnie found this artwork?!

The area was so big we didn't have anyone camped near us, and there were a few there overnight. This was the view from our window.

While here we decided to stay a couple of nights at a farm stay and booked into Bullara Station for three nights. We wanted a powered site, but they were booked out, so we booked an un-powered site. On the way there we came across a flooded road. Peter walked across and said it was fine, so we kept going.

When we got to the station the gate was shut, so we phoned and were told to go a further 2 km down the road and turn at the 'staff only' entrance.

The road was terrible, and long, but we got to the station and checked in.

Bullara Station is a working station, but we didn't see a lot of working going on. Maybe it was the time of the year, or the fact that there was a lot of rain the night before, but there were a lot of vans there, for the first two nights anyway. It is very well done and caters for travellers - $30 per night non powered, and $45 with power for 2 people, extra person $10. There are many different walks, long and short. Peter did a video of Beer Bottle Walk, one of few videos recovered after his hard drive crashed. Bottle Walk – 2.6km; Windmill Walk – 2.2km; and Tin Can Walk – 2.1km.

We liked the way they portrayed the station life and the many objects ‘d art around the campsites. There are powered and non powered sites and although the map of the campground looks confusing, walking around it is easy to get to all the sits and venues.

 At one end was a large pen with goats and an emu. We watched the goats playing in the old truck - quite funny.

There were also many sheep, chooks and kangaroos roaming around.

Like many places happy hour was held around the camp kitchen. On the Sunday night we were entertained by singer Marley Wynn - he was very good.

We were also given some home made damper that the camp managers had made - yum, should have brought the honey.

The Camp Kitchen was what one would expect on a station stay.

.... a basic camp kitchen with all the charm of the outback.

See the quirky bottle tree in the background.

We had three nights, the first was the day we arrived, the second we had a day trip to Exmouth and the Ningaloo Coast, the third day we relaxed at the station and did some walks. Peter and I had morning tea at the station cafe - Jonnie slept in. Bullara is famous for its scones, so we had to try them. Peter had coffee and scones....

.... and I had hot chocolate and scones.

The tea area was also a beautiful garden area to eat in. It is only open in the mornings from 8.30am - 12 noon, but one can get hot drinks and cold from the drinks fridge until about 3pm. The garden area is full of lovely pot plants and old farmhouse articles.

We enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and were lucky to get a table in the shade.

The whole experience was wonderful, and having a full day to just walk around and look at the many features, sculptures and other quirky things around.

We saw many kangaroos in the early morning and late afternoons.

We laughed at the dump point.

Around the powered area are interesting toilets and showers areas.

All fully functional, with hot water after a certain time. There are also more conventional, yet still interesting facilities at the back of the shearing shed. The third day most people left and we had a lovely view while relaxing in the cooler, but still hot, afternoon.

There is a 4wd track to sunset hill – we didn’t know about that until we were leaving on the main road that was closed due to flooding. Shame – but next time. There is also a 4wd track to the gulf, about 20kms, but that was closed too due the flooding. The sunsets were spectacular.

A great place to stay, and we would definitely stay here again.