Banka Banka Station is located 290km south of the famous Daly Waters Pub and 100km north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
As a true blue Aussie working cattle station, travellers have the opportunity to stay a night or three in the onsite Caravan Park and experience station life first hand. Explore the history of the original mudbrick Banka Banka Homestead and catch the sunset up the hill.
The kids can run till their hearts are content and get to know the friendly donkeys, cows and camels. Go for a dip in the bush water hole, then finish the day around the communal campfire with a drink from the licensed Homestead Bar.
Now listen up folks because do I have a corker of a spot for ya’ll. This working cattle station/ caravan park is one not to blink and miss. This place ticks all the boxes! From grey nomads to families, there is something for everyone. So grab a beer and read on.
Banka Banka is rich with history, which has been preserved for your enjoyment. You can stroll leisurely around and take it all in, but there isn’t any phone reception so grab a phone card and you can let the kids call out like it’s 1999.
If you don’t have full water tanks before arriving, don’t stress because the water at Banka Banka is pumped down from a fresh spring. Honestly, you don’t find water like this in many places across Australia. It’s so crisp you think your drinking a bottle of that flash Evian!
Don’t forget the generator or solar panels, although there are now powered sites available. Come sundown when the bar opens up, you can sit around chatting while the fire crackles through the night. You might even get lucky with a guitar making an appearance for you to sing and dance along to.
The Donkeys are always up for a pat and there may be some poddy calves in the managers house yard. The kids can stretch their legs with the multiple places to run, ride their bikes and explore.
So throw this one on the itinerary and experience some good old outback hospitality at Banka Banka Station – the oasis at the start of the Stuart Highway.
Banka Banka is located roughly 20 mins from the Threeways Road House.
Banka Banka Station introduction & photos provided by Samantha Jane.
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Banka Banka Station, Northern Territory
Banka Banka Station History
The historical Banka Banka cattle station started its days as the first operational pastoral lease in the region. During World War II it was a supply camp, which provided such things as meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables.
It was Philip and Mary Alice Ward who bought Banka Banka in 1941. Mary orchestrated the construction of an extensive garden, which in turn meant that the homestead became a regular stopover for travellers.
Philip was one of the first to start trucking cattle via road in 1945. He passed away in 1959, leaving Mary to run the station.
Another achievement of Mary’s was getting a local government school for Aboriginals opened in 1961. Hence, Mary became known as “The Missus of Banka Banka.”
It was in 1970 that Mary became ill and decided to sell the station. She moved to Adelaide and died two years later.
Mudbrick Homestead
The original Banka Banka homestead is still standing and you’re welcome to wander around and have a look. It’s a single story, rectangular building with pitched roof and three rooms, mudbrick walls, concrete floors with a wrap-around verandah.
Back in 2002 the homestead was partially reconstructed by Stanbroke Pastoral Company to commemorate its heritage.
These days the mudbrick homestead houses a licensed bar where you can purchase a drink and have a chat with fellow campers around the evening campfire.
Banka Banka Station Campground
The campgrounds are flat and open with some grass and shade. Generators are allowed, but must be turned off by 8pm.
As Banka Banka Station is a popular stop for travellers on their way through, there is no need to book. Just rock up!
Keep in mind that the internet in the office is very limited. You’re better off calling the managers if you need to speak to them, who knows when they’ll get a chance to check their emails.
Banka Banka Station Campground Facilities
⛺️ Powered & unpowered sites
🏠 Cabins
🐶 Pet friendly (on leash)
🚿 Showers
🚽 Toilets
♿️ Wheelchair access
🗑 Rubbish bins
⬇️ Dump point
🔥 Campfire
🍞 Picnic tables
🍽 Camp kitchen
👕 Laundry ($4 per load)
💨 Gas bottle refills
🏊 Waterhole swimming
🚶🏻 Walking track up the hill for sunset view
🍺 Licensed Bar
🗝 Memorabilia
🚗 Suitable for tents, campers, caravans, motorhomes & big rigs
| BANKA BANKA STATION PRICES | |
|---|---|
| Unpowered Site | Single – $19 Couple – $29 Family – $39 |
| Powered Site | Single – $29 Couple – $39 Family – $49 |
| Cabins (sleeps 2 + ensuite) | From $160/ nt |
| 3 Bedroom Cottage (sleeps 6) | From $270/ nt |
Things to do at Banka Banka Station
- Wander around the original Mudbrick Homestead
- Check out the antiques, memorabilia and sheds spotted around the property
- Visit the donkeys, cows & camels for a pat
- Take the scenic 2km walk through the native landscape & up the hill to catch a spectacular outback sunrise/ sunset
- Go for a dip in the bush water hole
- Enjoy a drink from the licensed Homestead Bar from 6pm nightly
- Relax around the communal campfire or have your own fire (must be in a fire ring/ pit, provided there are no fire bans in place)
Banka Banka Station Location
Along the Stuart Highway, 100km north of Tennant Creek lies Banka Banka Station. It’s 290 km south of the Daly Waters Pub and just 20 minutes away from the Threeways Road House.
Best time to visit Banka Banka
The most comfortable time to visit Banka Banka Station is through the cooler months. Anywhere from late Autumn (May) to early Spring (September) is good.
You can expect the temperature to range from 18ºC – 30ºC. As Banka Banka is located in a desert region, you can expect the nighttime temperatures to get cool, so make sure you pack warmer clothing.
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Love Banka Banka, particularly when its wet and green and there are millions of flys to swallow!
Sounds like a wonderful place to experience with kids. I’m sure they will be thrilled talking on the old style phone. I also like the camp facilities there. But I really want to try the spring water.
It’s weird to think how these phone boxes that were commonplace when I was a kid are now vintage items lol.
Emma, it still works lol that bloody phone still works. We literally used it to ring family ( because of the novelty)
Oh you’re kidding. That is cool!
Campgrounds aren’t often located in historic places like this! Sounds like a really neat place to stay, especially for kids.
Definitely a good mix of the two – history and camping.
I love the idea of a spot like Banka Banka that has something for everyone. Even clean spring water! I am sure the kids loved all the animals close by. And the adults appreciated the Homestead Bar after a long day in the sun.
Yep, something for everyone for sure.
Sounds like a great spot for families. To be able to pet the donkeys, catch a sunrise or sunset, learn about the history of the original homestead- what else do you need?!
There’s lots to explore for a simple camp in the middle of nowhere.
I can’t tell who has more character, you or the Banka Banka. I love that there are animals to pat and a rise to see the sunrise and sunset.
The walk up to see the beautiful sunset over the outback is a huge draw card for me too.
Hahaha thank you for your awesome comment 🙂 we love banka banka so much and are very lucky to have two boys who have adapted extremely well to full time travel 🙂 you can follow our adventures on Instagram ~ official_itsakerrthing