Ellenbrae Station is a working pastoral station on the Gibb River Road. It is one of the best-known station stops along the route, famous for its homemade scones.
Ellenbrae offers two separate campgrounds, Jackaroo and Ringers. When we checked in, we were given the choice of either campground and decided on Jackaroo.
This is a genuine working cattle station offering a true outback camping experience. Facilities are basic, and you’ll need to be largely self-contained, but that’s all part of the appeal. If you’re looking for a comfortable bush camp with plenty of character and one of the Gibb River Road’s most iconic stops, Ellenbrae is well worth considering.
Quick Facts
- Website: Ellenbrae Station
- Fee Category: Paid $55/night for a couple, 2026
- Booking: Yes
- Powered Sites: No
- Dog Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Toilets and hot showers
- Dump point: No
- Pool: No
- Fire Pits: Yes
- Telstra: None
- Starlink: No problems
- Generator: Yes
Our Experience
Finding a campsite was straightforward. Once we arrived at the Jackaroo campground, it was simply a matter of choosing a spot and setting up. The campsites are un-allocated. There were plenty of trees providing welcome shade, and we had no trouble finding a site that suited us.
The facilities at Jackaroo were basic, but clean and well maintained. They certainly weren’t luxurious, but that’s exactly what we expected from a remote station campground, and they suited the setting well.
One of the features was the hot water system. The showers are supplied by a traditional wood-fired donkey, which the staff kept going throughout most of the day. Despite being so remote, we never had any trouble getting a hot shower.
As with most station stays along the Gibb River Road, you’ll need to be largely self-contained. There is no power or potable water at the campsites, although drinking water is available from a tap near the homestead when you check in. Grey water can be discharged onto the ground.
Jackaroo Campground is the more distant of the two campgrounds from the swimming hole, although it is still only a short drive away. The swimming hole itself was one of the highlights of our stay, with crystal-clear water, a sandy entry and easy access into the water without having to scramble over rocks. It was a great place to cool off.
Ellenbrae also has a short 4WD station track that leads to another section of the river after a short walk. Makes for a nice short excursion.
If you stay at Ellenbrae, one thing you really should do is try the famous homemade scones. They’re what the station is best known for, and just about everyone passing through seems to stop for them.
I’m certainly no scone expert, so I’m not going to pretend to judge them like one, but I can say they were very good. The serving was generous, the price was reasonable, and they made for a great afternoon treat. Whether you’re staying overnight or simply passing through, they’re well worth trying.
Some Pics
Summary
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Ellenbrae Station. It is a peaceful, well-laid-out campground with plenty of character, and the station homestead is a great place to relax over a coffee while enjoying the famous homemade scones.
We would happily stay here again and would recommend it to anyone travelling the Gibb River Road who is looking for a relaxing station stay rather than just another overnight stop.
Thanks for reading Ellenbrae Station – Review. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.
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