Air Adventure Australia

Destination Profile - Home Valley Station, Western Australia

Welcome to Home Valley Station, an outback oasis nestled at the foot of the spectacular Cockburn Range in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Home Valley is located 120kms West of Kununurra and the Homestead is set only two minutes off the Gibb River Road. The mighty Pentecost and Durack Rivers border the 700,000 acres of natural wilderness, creating an outback adventure park of waterfalls, gorges, salt flats, rock escarpments, natural springs, billabongs, beaches and creeks.

Home Valley Station is renowned for its friendly service and laid back atmosphere, and consistently provides a wonderful and memorable stay to anyone travelling through The Last Frontier. So, if you're making your way along the Gibb River Road, we recommend you stop in and join the fun and adventure to be had at Home Valley Station. Your Hosts, Nick and Sarah Bradley welcome you to enjoy an authentic outback experience amidst a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The Home Valley Homestead stretches along the picturesque Bindoola Creek and affords a large lawn camping area for travellers with plenty of shade, as well as a Swimming Pool, BBQ facilities, excellent hot showers and bathrooms.

Accommodation is available at the Homestead for those who prefer their creature comforts of home. Guests may choose to stay in a Homestead Room or one of our "Grass Castles"- stylish and comfortable Bungalows set overlooking Bindoola Billabong. The atmospheric Dusty Bar and Grill is open everyday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to all in-house guests as well those hungry travellers trailblazing the mighty Gibb River Road. Home Valley Station's reception and store provides general items including cool drinks, snacks, ice, bait, selected groceries and sundries.

2006 has been an exciting time at Home Valley Station. As well as our existing attractions, we are now offering more tours, more activities and lots more adventure. Guests may choose from the scheduled tours, either traveling as a passenger in one of our air conditioned 4WD vehicles, or as a Tag-a-Long in their own 4WD.

Whether you want to sleep in a swag under the stars or enjoy a comfortable Queen Size Bed, Home Valley offers three choices in accommodation to suit everyone. The Campground occupies a large shaded area to the East of the Homestead, where BBQ's and excellent bathroom facilities are conveniently located. Power is also available. For those wanting a more "bush" experience, bush camping is available down at our designated bush camp sight at the Pentecost River where bathroom facilities are also available.

Arguably one of the most scenic and idyllic locations in the Kimberley, campers will be in awe of the spectacular view and tranquil surroundings. The Min Min Courtyard is centrally located surrounded by the Homestead rooms. These recently refurbished charming twin or double rooms are only metres from the bathrooms and are ideal for families, couples or groups. Home Valley's "Grass Castles" are new for 2006, nestled along the Bindoola Creek, also at the Homestead. Each Grass Castle offers comfort and style amidst the beauty of the bush surroundings, featuring Queen beds, ensuite bathroom and air-conditioning. Guests can relax into a novel or simply enjoy a cool drink on their private deck overlooking the Bindoola Creek, offering an opportunity to spy upon friendly freshwater crocs below floating about their day. Home Valley Station is owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation and was purchased on behalf of the Balanggarra people of the East Kimberley.

Since acquiring the Home Valley Station pastoral lease in 1999, the Indigenous Land Corporation has endeavoured to involve local Aboriginal people in all aspects of the Station's operations. In both its tourism and pastoral enterprises, members of the local indigenous communities have assisted in all manner of projects associated with the resurrection of what was, at the time of purchase, a poorly neglected cattle station. Today, Home Valley Station is a hub of activity that caters not only for travellers of the Gibb River road, but for indigenous students and trainees from many communities across the Kimberley. Skills-based programs are run continuously throughout the Dry season; April to November, delivering tuition in fencing, welding, concreting, landscaping, tourism, horsemanship, stock handling and other practical skills.

Western Australia's Justice Department has also played a role in increasing the involvement of Aboriginal people in Home Valley Station's operations. The Wyndham Work Camp, a facility of the Department of Justice, is a regular visitor to the station for weekly stints at fencing and landscaping. Up to 16 men participate in programs that are aimed at defining areas that belong to the Forrest River Aboriginal Reserve, making tourists aware of culturally significant land by fencing work and posting informative signs. These visits are geared toward having fun and provide the work camp members with not only the opportunity to gain practical skills but also to indulge in the activities not readily available to those from their town of origin, such as fishing, hunting and swimming in Home Valley Station's array of natural waterholes, waterfalls and thermal springs.

East Kimberley TAFE is also a regular visitor to Home Valley Station, utilising most facilities for various aspects of the Rural Operations courses provided for young, local men and women. New in 2006, TAFE is set to become part of the fabric of Home Valley Station as it embarks upon Indigenous Tourism Traineeships, incorporating 10 full-time students into all tourism operations. Effectively, these traineeships will make Home Valley a centre of learning where practical tourism skills will be taught in the course of a normal day on the Station: every bed that is made, every cold drink and meal that is served, every customer query that is answered, every camp site that is sold and every tour that is conducted will be the hands-on tuition of our ten full-time, live-in Tourism Trainees, who will live with and work alongside the Home Valley Station staff. Through the ILC's alliance with Kimberley Group Training and East Kimberley TAFE, Home Valley Station is in a strong position to maximise employment pathways and ensure full-time employment for all Certificate III graduates of Home Valley Station Tourism Traineeships. The first graduates, of course, will get the opportunity to become a permanent staff member at Home Valley Station.

This destination is a part of the Flyaway Faraway Kimberley Style Australian Adventure.