Artemis Homestead – Yarraden

Artemis Station is a legendary cattle station and a world-renowned destination for serious birdwatchers, located deep in the heart of Cape York Peninsula. This is not a typical campground but a genuine, working outback property that offers a unique and authentic bush experience for the adventurous and self-sufficient traveller. The station is famously one of the last remaining habitats of the critically endangered Golden-shouldered Parrot, making it a pilgrimage site for ornithologists and nature lovers from across the globe. Camping at Artemis is a rustic, back-to-basics affair, with spacious unpowered sites set in a natural bush environment. The experience is about disconnecting from the modern world and immersing oneself in the rugged beauty and profound tranquillity of the Cape. The facilities are basic but functional for such a remote location, and the hosts are known for their deep knowledge of the area and its unique wildlife. A stay here requires careful planning, as access is via long, unsealed roads, and a high-clearance 4WD is essential, especially early or late in the dry season. Visitors must be completely self-reliant. Beyond the birdwatching, Artemis offers a true taste of station life, set against a backdrop of vast savannah woodlands, termite mounds, and seasonal creeks. It’s an opportunity to experience the immense scale and isolation of Far North Queensland, witness incredible sunsets, and enjoy the brilliant, star-filled night skies.

Site Information

• Location: Very remote, located on the Peninsula Developmental Road between Laura and Musgrave.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained 4WD vehicles, off-road camper trailers, and tents.
• Road Access: Long stretches of unsealed, corrugated road. High-clearance 4WD is essential. Only accessible in the dry season.
• Site Surface: Natural dirt and grass sites.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a paid station stay. Bookings are essential.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management when booking.
• Number of Un-powered Sites: Numerous unpowered sites available.
• Facilities: Toilets and showers are generally available at the homestead precinct.
• Picnic Tables: No.
• Potable Water: It is essential to bring your own main supply of drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: None. A satellite phone is essential for communication.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: No. All rubbish must be taken with you.
• Open Fires: Check with station owners. Strict fire bans often apply.
• Generator Use: Permitted during designated hours.
• Number of Sites Available: Many sites across a large property.
• Essentials to Bring: Everything. All food, fuel, water, power, emergency supplies, and vehicle recovery gear.
• Pet Friendly: By prior arrangement only. Must be strictly controlled due to it being a working station.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Excellent walking and birdwatching tracks throughout the property.

Local Amenities

This is an extremely remote location. The nearest services are at roadhouses a significant distance away.

• Local Pubs:
  • Musgrave Roadhouse (has a bar) (approx. 90 km north)
  • Laura Hotel (approx. 120 km south)
• Places to Eat:
  • The roadhouses at Musgrave and Laura.
• Local Attractions:
  • Golden-shouldered Parrot viewing (onsite)
  • Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park
  • Quinkan Rock Art sites (near Laura)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • This is a station stay campground. Other options are at Musgrave or Laura.
• Next Free Camps:
  • Very few official free camps in this remote area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • The nearest public dump points are in Laura or Coen.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Musgrave Roadhouse or Laura. It is critical to have a long fuel range and carry spares.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in Laura or Coen.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Cape York Peninsula has a starkly defined tropical savanna climate with a monsoonal wet season and a long, dry season.