Curtin Springs
Curtin Springs
3.5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
They say home is where the heart is, even if it is spread over a million acres of remote Central Australia! Curtin Springs has been home to the Severin family since 1956, when Peter Severin arrived with his young wife Dawn, their toddler son Ashley and 1,500 head of cattle. Curtin Springs stands as a testimony to the commitment of Peter and Ashley Severin to both the pastoral and tourism industries. At Curtin Springs we balance beef production with being a million acre wildlife corridor, and offer many ways for visitors to connect with the spectacular landscape. We invite you to take a ‘peek behind the curtain’ to explore the wonders of our home. Located just 100km east of Ayers Rock, Curtin Springs (the first Wayside Inn in Central Australia) offers a perfect base from which to visit the Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon areas. Or stay a while longer and ‘peel back the layers’ by including our experiences, tours and hospitality in your travel plans.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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3.5
186 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
76
Average
38
Poor
6
Terrible
18
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Kelly M
11 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
If you're looking for somewhere to stay between Yulara or Alice Springs, this place is NOT it.
The place is fully of passive aggressive notes asking you to pay more which create an unpleasant vibe. There is absolutely no acknowledgement of traditional owners, and zero cultural value whatsoever. Even the bugs are more vicious here.
If you are looking to explore history and learn about the amazing NT, do not waste your time here. If you're just looking for a quick stop, it's also not worth it. You're much better off staying in Yulara or basically anywhere else, even the back of your car. Prices for everything are better in Yulara, plus you'll avoid an unpleasant guilt trip from the owners in every second sentence.
The place is fully of passive aggressive notes asking you to pay more which create an unpleasant vibe. There is absolutely no acknowledgement of traditional owners, and zero cultural value whatsoever. Even the bugs are more vicious here.
If you are looking to explore history and learn about the amazing NT, do not waste your time here. If you're just looking for a quick stop, it's also not worth it. You're much better off staying in Yulara or basically anywhere else, even the back of your car. Prices for everything are better in Yulara, plus you'll avoid an unpleasant guilt trip from the owners in every second sentence.
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello kellymG4266KY, I'm really not sure how asking visitors to pay for the services and products they use, is passive aggressive? If you wish to use the hot water and showers, or to fill your water tanks with the precious resource of water, than please make a small contribution to the huge cost of providing those services, in remote areas, in the desert. The word culture is not owned by the indigenous story. We highlight and showcase and explain and share our story, our family and the land we are responsible for, therefore provide a huge amount of cultural information for visitors - our culture. There are so many more stories and histories in Central Australia than simply the indigenious story and not every place has an indigenous story. I'm wondering if you asked every other location that you visited why they don't offer any other stories: the explorer stories, the cameleer stories, the pastoralist stories, the mining stories, the transport stories, the health stories (Flying Doctor), the education stories (School of the Air), the women's stories, the stockmen stories, the flora and flauna stories - the list is simply endless. There are many many many places where visitors can get many versions of the indigenous story, and how sad would it be if they left our amazing part of the world, with only that story....
Written 17 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
liz304
Myrtleford, Australia4 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Rude rude rude! If your planning to stay in the accommodation I would by pass and pay the extra stay elsewhere. (Probably ok if you use the free area for caravanning and keep away from them)
Upon approval we received a very unwelcoming greeting from the guy with red moustache behind the bar. We thought we would support the place as they say they were hit by COVID hard and eat in and again absolute rudeness from a couple of blokes sitting in the restaurant one of which we found out was the owner. It’s almost like they know you have no where else to go (bit wolf creekish - gives you a really unnerving feeling) Other diners were there too who also received the same treatment and amongst strangers we all had nothing nice to say. The meal was really nice but we couldn’t get out quick enough unfortunately as we were made to feel so uncomfortable.
As for the smell from the sceptic right beside the accommodation area was foul. BBQ area totally unusable- dirty ran down and trip hazard.
Five stars to the lovely ladies in the morning though thanks to them it wasn’t a total disaster but I wouldn’t recommend staying here at all. Keep on driving!!!
Upon approval we received a very unwelcoming greeting from the guy with red moustache behind the bar. We thought we would support the place as they say they were hit by COVID hard and eat in and again absolute rudeness from a couple of blokes sitting in the restaurant one of which we found out was the owner. It’s almost like they know you have no where else to go (bit wolf creekish - gives you a really unnerving feeling) Other diners were there too who also received the same treatment and amongst strangers we all had nothing nice to say. The meal was really nice but we couldn’t get out quick enough unfortunately as we were made to feel so uncomfortable.
As for the smell from the sceptic right beside the accommodation area was foul. BBQ area totally unusable- dirty ran down and trip hazard.
Five stars to the lovely ladies in the morning though thanks to them it wasn’t a total disaster but I wouldn’t recommend staying here at all. Keep on driving!!!
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm so glad the ladies put a small smile on your face during your stay. I'm sorry that your stay with us what not what you or we would have liked. I hope you found some wonderful things to experience during your visit to our amazing part of the world.
Written 2 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Diana M
5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Toilets stunk, found the maintenance bloke in the female toilets as I came out, I brushed past him to go to the sink and boy oh boy did I get a mouth full, went on to say “ can’t you see that I’m working here” he actually yelled at me. The think was, I was in there first !!!!
Older lady, I think was the owner yelled at her staff. You have to pay $4 for a shower, for free camping no problem but we paid $50 for a powered site, that’s all you get, power and nothing else. Dump point you have to travel an hour to Yulara and an hour back.
Would not stay there for more than a night
To fill you water tanks up you have to pay $10
You don’t get hooked up to water for a powered site either
Older lady, I think was the owner yelled at her staff. You have to pay $4 for a shower, for free camping no problem but we paid $50 for a powered site, that’s all you get, power and nothing else. Dump point you have to travel an hour to Yulara and an hour back.
Would not stay there for more than a night
To fill you water tanks up you have to pay $10
You don’t get hooked up to water for a powered site either
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi H6819QRdianam, it sounds like nothing we did made you happy at all! I'm sorry you couldn't find any positives during your stay with us.
I hope you let someone know that you did not have a positive experience with one of our staff members, to allow us the opportunity to address it.
Hopefully you found some amazing experiences during your adventure to Central Australia.
Written 30 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LookForward
1 contribution
Oct 2022
The diesel generator runs all night and we couldn't sleep because our room was next to it. The accommodation was VERY expensive ($270 AUD pn) when you consider we couldn't sleep. Drive the extra distance to Erldunda roadhouse instead - quiet, cheaper, cleaner and more amenities.
Curtin Springs staff were pleasant. Food was good & there's free camping for those with a camper or caravan.
You are in a remote area so manage your expectations.
Curtin Springs staff were pleasant. Food was good & there's free camping for those with a camper or caravan.
You are in a remote area so manage your expectations.
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you 848tuip for taking the time to put up a review for us.
Thank you for your kind words about our great team and your acknowledgement that there are multiple options available to suit the different traveller needs and budgets.
In remote areas power generation and fridge motors and other noises are simply part of life.
I hope you enjoyed the many different aspects of Central Australia, our wonderful vistas and the intricacies of our landscapes.
Written 30 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shreya
1 contribution
May 2022 • Friends
Well insulated cabin and a convenient pit stop in the middle of nowhere. The sheets weren't super clean, bathrooms are very old but clean. Alcohol is expensive. There were a lot of passive aggressive signs, and not many affordable or interesting activities on offer (e.g. visit to Mt Connor is super expensive). Overall, there is potential to make tourists feel more welcome.
The information booklet in the room with information on the family history and place was defensive, abrasive and rant-y with definite racist, sexist and anti-aboriginal tones, which felt outdated, one-sided and highly uncomfortable to read. Surprisingly, or not so much, there was also no reference to or recognition of the traditional owners of the land and their cultural ties to the place. Ultimately, for this reason, we decided to leave early and not support the business anymore.
The information booklet in the room with information on the family history and place was defensive, abrasive and rant-y with definite racist, sexist and anti-aboriginal tones, which felt outdated, one-sided and highly uncomfortable to read. Surprisingly, or not so much, there was also no reference to or recognition of the traditional owners of the land and their cultural ties to the place. Ultimately, for this reason, we decided to leave early and not support the business anymore.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you shreya212 for taking the time to put up a review for us.
I'd really appreciate your advice on how we can inform visitors of various pieces of information that we need to pass on to them, that actually gets through. We have run the entire gammit of very gentle soft messages, to currently being quite stern. Visitor safety and experience, our safety and privacy are all inter-related in these messages and getting the balance right is quite a challenge!
Most of our visitors provide very positive and supportive feedback about the information booklet we have in the accommodation rooms. It provides a small snapshot of our lives and what it takes to live remotely, raise families and run a business in these areas.
Written 30 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ginny F
Wahroonga, Australia266 contributions
May 2021
What a delight it was to visit Curtin Springs with our tour! We dropped in for morning tea and a tour of the paper making. Fascinating! Lyndee is passionate about all 4 of the businesses and the paper is lovely. They also sell a really good port and wine is reasonably priced. Love the history of the place and the way the family have adjusted due to drought.
Written 14 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Ginny F for your lovely words, I'm so glad you enjoyed our special part of the world.
Written 5 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Howard
3 contributions
Apr 2021
The shower and toilet are the worst I have ever seen in Australia. You still need 3 bucks to take the shower.
If you can book ayer rock resort camping ground, I suggest you go there, then you can feel the difference between heaven and hell.
If you can book ayer rock resort camping ground, I suggest you go there, then you can feel the difference between heaven and hell.
Written 15 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I do hope you found some positives during your stay in Central Australia.
Written 5 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah
11 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We spent one night in an ensuite room. I certainly wasn't expecting luxury - but everything was so worn and run down that as soon as we saw the room we looked for alternatives. Unfortunately, all other accommodation in the area was already booked.
And so we had no choice but to spend the night there.
The room was full of mosquitoes, there were swarms of flies crawling around.
The bedding had stains.
The shower floor was so dirty that it sent shivers down my spine. There was no WiFi. There was a parking space right in front of the room.
And so we had no choice but to spend the night there.
The room was full of mosquitoes, there were swarms of flies crawling around.
The bedding had stains.
The shower floor was so dirty that it sent shivers down my spine. There was no WiFi. There was a parking space right in front of the room.
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter
Perth, Australia13 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Stopped here overnight as I had a recommendation whilst at Streaky Bay that this place was the bomb. How wrong was this guy.
When we pulled up we were impressed. And even more impressed when we found out that it was free camping. When we went to have a look around we met this lady who abruptly layed down the law as if we were inmates. Other staff were nice and friendly.
After dinner we decided we would go to the bar only to find that it was closed. The same lady told us that she can't afford the staff to keep it open. However, she kindly let me purchase 4 drinks.
Walking around the place you can see it is run down and in need of a lot of TLC.
Then you go to use the toilets provided. OMG! Is an under statement. Even after the cleaners had been though them the next morning they were still disgusting. The males toilets don't look like the haven't had a real clean for decades.
Really disappointed that this place was recommended to me. As i had bigger expectations. Bypass this place if you can. FUEL $3.16 per litre for diesel.
Pros
Free camping
Nice Bar area
Cons
The lady's law
Fuel price
Rooster at 4.30am
Public restrooms. (Disgusting)
Generator noise
When we pulled up we were impressed. And even more impressed when we found out that it was free camping. When we went to have a look around we met this lady who abruptly layed down the law as if we were inmates. Other staff were nice and friendly.
After dinner we decided we would go to the bar only to find that it was closed. The same lady told us that she can't afford the staff to keep it open. However, she kindly let me purchase 4 drinks.
Walking around the place you can see it is run down and in need of a lot of TLC.
Then you go to use the toilets provided. OMG! Is an under statement. Even after the cleaners had been though them the next morning they were still disgusting. The males toilets don't look like the haven't had a real clean for decades.
Really disappointed that this place was recommended to me. As i had bigger expectations. Bypass this place if you can. FUEL $3.16 per litre for diesel.
Pros
Free camping
Nice Bar area
Cons
The lady's law
Fuel price
Rooster at 4.30am
Public restrooms. (Disgusting)
Generator noise
Written 11 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jihan H
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Family
TRAASHH!!
Sub par accomodation and facilities, rude staff and general wolf creek vibes.
Cannot comprehend why they have a strong refusal to acknowledge the histories and traditional owners of the land. Fair enough if they have a strong view of their own culture but can still introduce some elements of the the traditional owners like most normal places.
Makes me wonder what really happened back when they took over the land 🤔😳
FYI: Paper making tour was also traashhh and they also sell golden gay time for $8.30.
Sub par accomodation and facilities, rude staff and general wolf creek vibes.
Cannot comprehend why they have a strong refusal to acknowledge the histories and traditional owners of the land. Fair enough if they have a strong view of their own culture but can still introduce some elements of the the traditional owners like most normal places.
Makes me wonder what really happened back when they took over the land 🤔😳
FYI: Paper making tour was also traashhh and they also sell golden gay time for $8.30.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oh my goodness - absolutely nothing we did (or possibly could have done?) gave you a positive experience at all.
I do hope you found some amazing places in Central Australia as part of your adventure to Central Australia.
Written 31 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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