Sometimes, you just know what your soul needs. And for me, after a whirlwind few months, it was clear, a road trip with my family through the heart of Central Australia was exactly what we were craving. Space to breathe. A chance to reconnect. And, as it turned out, the perfect way to celebrate a milestone birthday.

A Partnership Born from Pandemic Uncertainty

It was three years ago, in the early days of COVID. Michael and I had just finished classifying the 2021 vintage, a vintage we were proud of, with wines that looked just as we hoped. But we had taken in more fruit than we realistically needed. Export markets had slowed to a crawl. Local restaurants were struggling to reopen. Importers weren’t taking on new brands in a fragile economy.

Direct customers were keeping us afloat with orders and conversation, many re-evaluating who and what they wanted to support. One Saturday, the phone rang. A regular customer called to place an order. Like so many during that time, the chat drifted beyond business. I shared my concern: “We’ve made some beautiful wines, but I just don’t have the market for them all.”

He paused, then simply said: “Call me Tuesday.”

What I didn’t know at the time was that Tony, our customer, and his business partners had just purchased Kings Creek Station, along with Nullarbor Roadhouse, Border Village Roadhouse, and Erldunda Roadhouse. They were looking for wines that could complement their newly acquired venues. And just like that, a conversation became a partnership.

We started with three red wines and collaborated on custom labels. The following year, we added more. And each year since, they’ve continued to grow their reach, most recently acquiring Archer River.

From the Barossa to the Red Centre

We often wondered from our little corner of the Barossa: Where are these wines going? Who’s drinking them? Last year, we decided to find out for ourselves.

We packed up the car and hit the road, destination: Erldunda Roadhouse and Kings Creek Station. One night at Erldunda was enough to feel the warmth of the place, comfortable, welcoming, with great food and everything you need at the roadhouse or café.

That evening, we met up with Tony (CEO) along with Matthew (General Manager) and Mark (Head of Procurement). It was such a joy to see the wines, our wines, lined up on the shelf, freshly bottled and ready to pour.

The next morning, we set off west to Kings Canyon, through rugged country and mesmerising cliff faces, the kind of landscape that steals your breath and won’t give it back. After a two-hour drive, we arrived at Kings Creek Station, welcomed by Lee and Susan, the wonderful couple managing the property.

From the moment we arrived, the place felt different. There’s a gentleness to the pace, and a genuine friendliness that catches you off guard, in the best possible way.

Outback Hospitality & Drovers Dream

Tony outdid himself hosting us. We stayed in the Drovers Dream accommodation, looking directly onto the ranges, easily one of the most peaceful places we’ve ever stayed. After dropping our bags, we grabbed lunch at the café and jumped straight into buggy station tour led by the fantastic Sam. I’ll admit, my brain switched off the minute we took off. The tracks required all my focus (those corners are no joke!), but the best part was stopping and soaking in a view that felt like a secret.

Later, that day, where we toured the property and learnt the incredible story of the Conway family. Mort Conway’s legacy lives strong in every corner of the station, his resilience, his respect for the land, and the history of a family that has worked with, not against, the elements. Standing there beneath that vast desert sky, it’s easy to feel small, and so very grateful.

At Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours, we were welcomed with warmth and humility, gaining insight into bush medicine, dot painting, and the deep connection the local community holds with Country. It was a moment of stillness and learning we’ll carry with us.

And then, my 50th birthday.
What better way to mark it than watching the sun rise over Kings Canyon, ready to begin the hike. It was spiritual, grounding, and completely unforgettable. Winding through the still beauty of Kathleen Springs, we found a sense of quiet that felt deeply grounding. The rust-coloured escarpments, native grasses, and ancient gum trees whispered stories far older than any of us.

Afterward, we returned for a relaxed breakfast before heading off for a helicopter tour, a perfect full-circle moment.

The Why Behind the Wine

Trips like this remind us why we do what we do. Our wines are made with integrity and intention, but it’s seeing them out there, in people’s hands, in remote kitchens, alongside campfire meals and sunburnt views, that brings them fully to life.

To Tony, Matthew, Mark, Lee, Susan and everyone at Kings Creek Station, Erldunda, Nullarbor Roadhouse, Border Village Roadhouse and Archer River, thank you for supporting our wines and our family business. And to everyone who’s followed us on this journey: sometimes a road trip isn’t just about the kilometres you travel. It’s about remembering who you are, and where your wine goes.

 

“If your soul’s craving a quiet escape, now is the perfect moment to visit.”

 

  • Susan Papps

Co-Owner & Winemaker Yelland & Papps

 

Kings Creek Station

Petermann, Northern Territory 0872

+61 (08) 8956 7474

res@kingscreekstation.com.au

https://kingscreekstation.com.au/