Emu Creek Station

This station is a pastoral lease and cattle station which covers an area of 124988 hectares (308852 acres) and carries around 1500 head of cattle. That’s 1 beast every 83 hectares. The property was established in 1891 and initially covered an area of 202000 hectares. Sheep were first run at Emu Creek and an average of 20000 were shorn per annum in the early days.

We had decided to follow the Wool Wagon Pathway over the next few days so followed the road to Emu Creek Station. We turned off the main road and headed down the driveway until we came to the river crossing. Oh dear, this looks a bit iffy. Lots of water, boggy and sandy. Philip did a walk through of the river (P) whilst Judith became quiet, obviously anxiety was setting in! She of little trust! As if I would push the barriers a little for a bit of adventure). He decided that it wasn’t a possibility. So what to do now. There is a Shearing Shed on this property we would really like to see. Looking at the map there is an alternate road into the property it’s just 65 kilometres away, so off we went. This road in to the station was much better although there is still a creek crossing (Emu Creek) but it had no water.

Current new caretakers Andrew and Denise, who have only been at the station for 6 weeks, are just finding their feet around the station. We met Denise as she checked us into the campground and chatted to her about the station and her work here. As we talked she mentioned in passing that she used to be a hairdresser on the east coast. Just a bit of a change of pace for her. We drove round to the campground and found our spot, on high ground. There has been lots of rain around here and the river has been high, therefore the riverside camps are still pretty soggy. It’s a lovely area around the campground though.

(P)After we set up we walked up to the Nyang Woolshed, apart from it being used for a bit of station storage the Shed and yards were just left as they were when the Station converted from wool to beef decades ago. Judith comments on the distinct Lanolin aroma still strong in the air as we enter the shed ( unfortunately I have lost my sense of smell over the last few years so just have to recall the distinct aroma Lanolin has). The 6 stand shearing machine equipment ( originally a 12 stand hand shear shed) all in place, narrow Combs, wool press, scales, Classers tables all there! Even the old gantry for loading the wool bales onto the wagons was mostly there. The old cooks kitchen all but complete and a wood fired oven mounted outdoors on a concrete slab an indication the cooking was done outdoors to keep the kitchen / dining room cooler ( or less unbearably hot in their climate. The station is in a state of slight disrepair, however the positive side to this is, it is a history time line if one makes the effort to wander around.

After checking out the Woolshed and shearer’s quarters and stock yards we wandered back into the homestead for another chat with Denise. Meanwhile I had been thinking, Denise is a hairdresser, wonder if she is doing any hair cutting. So I asked and no she wasn’t doing any but she had time in the morning and would love to give me a haircut. Awesome, I’m excited I need a cut badly.

Next morning we pack up lazily and at the appointed time we wander back to the homestead and there waiting in the dining room is a chair positioned ready for me. All Denise’s equipment spread out along the dresser but no Denise. We waited a while and she eventually appeared apologising that she had to finish her washing first. She is about as excited as me about doing her first haircut here at the station. (P) I was excited that I would not need Judith reminding me “I need a hair cut “ for a few more weeks!- the Emu Creek “Salon” included a hair wash in the station kitchen sink! I am sure the “station “Salon” experience will be special travel memory for Judith).

We had a lovely 75 minutes as she cut, washed and blow dried my hair. We talked about all manner of topics from the property here, where we have been, what she would like to do around the homestead etc. Its amazing how a fresh haircut makes a person feel so much better.

While I had been enjoying this pampering Philip had been checking the weather for the next few days. It’s not looking good. Rain and storms on the coast for two days so we decide to head to Parabadoo (inland). It’s back up the blacktop to the Parabadoo turnoff where we stop for some lunch. Then on down the road. We pull into several 24 hour roadside stops hoping there might be a spot for the night but although they were nice spots with few campers already there, the way these campers had parked taking up way too much area stopped others camping as well. Some of these road warriors like their own space and prohibit others from camping around them. Its only early so we continue up the road and not far along we arrive at Cheela Plains Station Stay.

This place is on my long list of places to visit while in WA so in we go hoping we can get a spot for the night and yes there are still quite a few spots left even though they told us they were very busy with people heading away from the coast and the rain. As it’s only 3.30 and it’s still 27 degrees we decide to catch up on some washing knowing that it will be dry before bedtime.

Cheela Plains is a family owned and managed Arid country cattle station with a successful Station Stay facility which includes cabins, coach camping, caravan and tent areas, a restaurant and tours out to Beasley Gorge and surrounding areas. We enjoyed a lovely evening here and Philip caught an awesome sunrise from the top of the hill at the back of the campground. (P) Judith slept in whilst I wandered up a few hills catching a glimpse of the best part of any day. Here was a most spectacular, wild, “big sky” sunrise – I recalled the old saying “A red sky in the morning is a Shepherds warning” not thinking how true this saying would become! Whilst there I spotted the station ‘equipment retirement area’ and wandered for a look. Then came across some 50 huge mine trucks and loaders that have been retired. These are being prepared for shipping to India for recycling. A most enjoyable sunrise walk, Nature and Machinery – the perfect combination).