As sunrise floods the Kimberley landscape with warm morning light, the cliffs surrounding El Questro Homestead glow with an ochre-red warmth. Down by the Chamberlain River, rainbow bee-eaters dart and swoop for their breakfast as the clear waters rumble over the smooth rocks of a nearby crossing.
For homestead guests in one of the Cliffside Retreats perched above the spectacular Chamberlain Gorge, this morning ritual can be savoured on their private balcony. For others, it’s a simple matter of ordering a coffee, relaxing on the riverside terrace and letting nature’s glory unfold.
First opened to the public in 1992 by Will and Celia Burrell, El Questro Homestead is part of the sprawling 283,000ha El Questro Station, covering deep river gorges, towering red ranges and vast savannah flats. Although just 90 minutes’ drive from Kununurra, the homestead feels a world away from town life as the laid-back but attentive service takes guests back to an era when luxury and adventure went hand in hand. El Questro is now back under Australian ownership with the country’s largest regional accommodation provider, G’day Group.
El Questro general manager Jodie Mott says the G’day Group is focused on retaining the property’s rich pastoral heritage at the same time as fostering a stronger partnership with the region’s Traditional Custodians – the Ngarinyin people of the Wilinggin Nation. “Bringing back that cultural heritage to complement our strong pastoral heritage is a really key aspect of our vision,” Jodie says. “The future of the activities, the adventure and the experience is really featured around our Indigenous experience and that cultural connection to the land.”
With one of the world’s great wilderness areas at the doorstep, homestead guests have plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in the Kimberley landscape. There are guided tours and hikes through deep gorges, ancient rainforests, and cascading waterfalls. Along with general access to the station’s iconic walks, including the spectacular El Questro and Emma Gorges, homestead guests enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the palm-fringed thermal oasis of Zebedee Springs and the awe-inspiring vistas of Buddy’s Point Lookout, named after the property’s first ranger, legendary First Nations cowboy Buddy Tyson.
Those wanting to take in the landscape at a grander scale can book a helicopter flight, stepping straight from the homestead’s lush lawns into a waiting aircraft for an unforgettable scenic tour with the pilots from local Kununurra aviation company HeliSpirit.
Dining at El Questro Homestead offers guests an adventure of an entirely different nature, with the menu – and matching premium wine list – designed to take guests on a journey through the diverse and rich flavours of the Kimberley and beyond. Lunch and dinner menus change daily, featuring exquisite creations, such as tuna tataki with enoki, rosella gel, pickled baby beetroot, watermelon, turnip, watercress and quandong dust and caviar; western rock lobster with bisque emulsion, ratatouille, saffron rouille, native finger lime and dill oil; or lemon and lime curd with almond cake, blackberries, and green ant and plum sorbet. Guests can savour their meals on the spacious homestead terrace or in private riverside settings.
With guest numbers limited to 20, the homestead’s 10 rooms ensure a personalised and intimate experience. The accommodation ranges from the charming Garden View Rooms to the spectacular Cliffside Retreats offering panoramic views of the river and ranges beyond. Each room features king-sized beds, spacious ensuite bathrooms and interiors designed to reflect the natural beauty of the Kimberley,
with earthy tones and Indigenous artwork. The flagship Chamberlain Suite goes one step further, with its sweeping verandah cantilevered directly above the river.
In the evenings, homestead guests are inevitably drawn to the clifftop where they sit, aperitif in hand, sharing tales of adventure while watching for crocs as the last light falls and the ranges fade from a bright crimson to deep red, and the river floats effortlessly by.
