When William and Mary Hayes arrived in Alice Springs in 1884 with horses and bullock teams to replace the bush telegraph poles, they could never have known where fate would take their family. Six generations later, Jan and Bill Hayes run Ooraminna Homestead on Deep Well Station (the cattle station their ancestors established) as a sensational tourism operation.

If you want to experience central Australian station life, there is no better place to come. Here, where the earth is red and the stars shine bright, Ooraminna Homestead welcomes visitors wanting a taste of outback life. And you don't have to bring a bullock team either – guests stay in cabins in outback luxury-style and enjoy meals cooked by the family. And the food is hearty fare, just as you would expect if you dropped into a station homestead for dinner. A family member will take you sightseeing.

With six generations of local knowledge, you will see all the best spots and personal tour itineraries can be arranged. If you want to camp out, you can sleep under the stars at a camp that the country crooner John Williamson built by a riverbed on a recent visit.

Location: 30km or 40 minutes south of Alice Springs. RA 101 F8.
Facilities: Two cabins and one cottage: each with one bedroom (queen or king), bathroom, RC AC, fan, bar fridge (cabins). Camp-outs with swag and outback tours by prior arrangement. Fully catered. Visit this property's website