Well, we are officially one week into our six-month outback station experience and what a week it’s been.
We hit the road Saturday morning, breaking up the trip with a couple of roadside stops before finally arriving at Toogunna Plains Farmstay on Monday afternoon. Rolling in after a few days on the road, we were greeted by Fiona, warm, welcoming, and exactly the kind of person you hope to meet when stepping into something completely new. She and her partner Adam own the property, and from the moment we arrived, you could feel their passion for what they’re building out here.
And when I say property I mean 130,000 acres. It’s honestly hard to wrap your head around. Even driving small portions of it, you realise just how vast it is. It’s also not what we expected not nearly as treeless or barren as we had imagined. There’s a surprising amount of life and variation in the landscape. Its incredibly dry, lots of prickles under feet out from the van but there are so many Kangaroos and beautiful trees around where we are staying. They just need water. We have seen Kangaroos, Emu's, wild pigs (they had pig shooters here when we arrived till just recent), horses, cows and so much more just on the property not to mention the 5 dogs Fiona and Adam own and their cats.
Fiona gave us a tour of the farmstay rustic, yes, but full of potential. Only three seasons in, it’s still evolving, and you can see the vision coming together. As we walked around, there were a few casual comments of “that’ll be one of your jobs,” which was equal parts exciting and slightly overwhelming! The accomodation rooms are stunning so well done. They have both Queen and 2 x Single Rooms. They have turned old workers dongers into the rooms and an old Dentist Caravan.
We also met Taylor, who’s here for the same six-month stint. She’s a bit more seasoned than us, coming from a large property a couple of hours north, so she already understands this kind of lifestyle. Safe to say, we’ll be learning a lot from her.
Choosing Our New Home
After the tour, it was time to pick where we’d set up the van. We had two options near the main homestead or down at the second house where other staff would be staying.
We chose the quieter option.
Set up in the front yard of the staff house, we’ve got a beautiful, peaceful space that feels like our own little corner of the station. The homestead was tempting, but with guest dinners and activity happening there, we didn’t want to be in the way. This way, we get the best of both worlds close enough to be part of it all, but with our own retreat. Its about a 4 or 5km drive to the farmstay from the staff house and the main homestead is in the middle roughly.
Straight Into Station Life
Tuesday morning, it was straight into it for John. Off he went at 8am, excited and ready, with a long list of jobs and no real idea what the day would throw at him. With his large Yeti in hand because its about 30ish here everyday at the moment he would need lots of water.
Meanwhile, I settled into my own workday back at the van.
It’s funny even though we’ve both worked from home before, this feels different. There’s something about him heading off into the unknown each day but still on the property and then “popping home” for lunch that makes it all feel very new again. He has one of the farm utes and I get to keep the Landcruiser for when I venture up to the Farmstay or need to go out.
By Tuesday night, the reality had set in a little. John was well and truly buggered physically tired and a bit overwhelmed, which is completely fair. There’s a lot to take in, and everything is different out here.
The rest of the week followed a similar rhythm work, learning, adjusting and for me, quietly navigating my own little fears.
Stepping Out (and Slightly Out of My Comfort Zone)
By Thursday, I decided it was time to get a bit more involved and headed up to the homestead for morning tea with the team cupcakes and coffee, which definitely helped ease me in.
They’d been working on Fiona’s yard, getting it ready for guest dinners, and it was looking amazing. That rustic charm really shines when everything comes together.
Then came the sewing task…
“Can you sew?” Fiona asked.
Now, anyone who knows me knows the answer is "kind of. Enough to get myself out of trouble."
The job seemed simple fixing some fitted sheets that had split along the seams. Easy enough, right?
Two seams in the machine stopped working.
Cue me rethreading it about 500 times, Googling solutions, and eventually admitting defeat. Out here, there’s no quick trip to a repair shop and no grey cotton on hand either. Job officially on hold!
Still, I helped where I could before heading back to the van to get dinner sorted.
Friday we both had off so we ventured into "town" 60km one way to get to Quilpie for some supplies. We had to go to two supermarkets because the first one did not have my soda water (we bought out the only 4 bottles of Soda Water at the second supermarket). A nice cheap $650 shop which was only one trolly worth and no meant we loaded up the car as the bags were packed,no auto convey belts here so it didn't all fit and a shock at paying $54 for a slab of 24 cans of Coke Xero we headed to the butcher. A great little butcher so helpful. We now, hopefully have enough food for my one month meal plan. Let's see how I have gone with that. It was a juggle putting it all into the van but we did it, thankfully we bought the second car fridge because its now running as a freezer with all the meat.
The Python Situation…
Now, let’s talk about the python.
Apparently, there’s a resident one. “Just around the corner,” they say very casually. But its not venomous. Its only about 7ft long.
So yes I’ve been checking under the van and avoiding going outside in the dark. Not quite at “brave outback woman” level just yet. Despite Fiona, Taylor and Luke (Fiona's son who was home from Boarding School) telling me its ok cause its not venomous I was not wanting to come across its path regardless he can stay in his lane and ill stay in mine. In fact all slithery things can. I am struggling with the bugs and flys as it is let alone adding the snake. The bugs are stopping my nightly reading cause they get in the van when the lights on and I get sick of flicking them away.
Welcoming Our First Guests
Saturday brought a slower start. John didn’t need to head in until later, with the first plane group arriving mid-afternoon. Yes, I did say arriving by plane, to the stations own runway. How cool is that.
I popped down to help prepare the cheese platter and be part of welcoming the guests although, rookie mistake I showed up in thongs. Clearly still learning the “station appropriate” dress code!
Once everything was set, the cheese platter out on time (not to my standard I might say) and having given John an education on how to operate a Square machine I headed back to the van while John stayed on as barman and host. He got home later that night, tired but happy and the guests had loved their experience.
Exploring the Station (and Beyond)
Sunday morning, we were both up early to join the guests on the station tour - three-hour trip across key parts of the property.
It was incredible.
So much history, so many stories, and the kind of rustic beauty that makes you want to capture everything. I found myself snapping photos of old relics and unique corners of the station — who knows, maybe they’ll find their way into some future marketing for the farmstay.
After a relaxed afternoon, we headed into Eromanga for a pub night — BBQ, paper plane competition, and a chance to see some local life.
We’d driven through earlier in the week and thought it was a bit of a ghost town but Sunday night told a different story. The pub was packed with locals, the atmosphere was fantastic, and it turned into a really great night out. We also got to meet the other couple joining the "crew" both Italians.
One Week In… The Honest Version
So, week one done.
John is absolutely loving it. The variety, the physical work, the challenge — he’s settled in really well. Living his best life.
Me?
It’s taken a bit more adjusting.
I’ve had moments this week where I’ve felt a bit lost. Unsure of where I fit, what value I bring, and very aware that I don’t have a farming background to fall back on and I need to learn to plan my groceries and cooking.
But slowly, I’m finding my feet.
And a big part of that has been knowing our girls back home are doing so well. They’ve settled, they’re managing, and honestly I couldn’t be prouder. That peace of mind makes all the difference.
So while I’m still adjusting, I’m also starting to feel more at home out here.
One week down five months to go.
Let’s see where this adventure takes us.