Wooramel Riverside Retreat

Description

Wooramel Station is a family owned working cattle, sheep, goat and outback station stay. The property occupies an area of 1430 square kilometres with 60 kilometres of coastline frontage to the Indian Ocean, backing onto the Shark Bay World Heritage area.

The Wooramel River is an upside down river running on the surface only 2-3 times a year for a couple of weeks at a time, after good inland rains. The river cuts through the property providing well grassed flood plains. The 60 kms of coastal plains also provide good grazing on native salt and blue bush pastures, while the remaining land system is covered with Wanyu and Acacia bushland.

The pastoral lease was established in the early 1800's but it was not until the Hall family purchased the station in the 1920's that drilling commenced for artesian water. Three bores with a few hundred kilometres of open bore drains were established, opening up previously unused country to stock.

The artesian (via natural) pressure sends water 240 m to the surface. It maintains a constant temperature of approximately 33 degrees with a high mineral content (iron, salt and magnesium) reputed to have soothing effects on tired muscles.

The Steadman family purchased the lease in 1987 migrating closer to the coast from Dalgety Downs an inland station near Gascoyne Junction. They established an international goat trade to capitalise on the feral goat numbers at the time on the property and started a regenerative process to the rangelands. They moved from merino sheep to a meat bread (Damara/Dorper) which is still one of their main stays for the businness. The introduction of Droughtmaster/ Angus cattle has also helped to regenerate fragile country while still achieving economic sustainability. Their newest venture into nature based tourism offers visitors the opportunity to see and be a part of the Australian outback and also experience the ancient waters of the birdrong aquifer.