Curtin Springs
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture, Tourism |
| Founded | 1930s |
| Founder | Paddy DeConlay |
| Headquarters | Alice Springs region , Australia |
Area served | Northern Territory |
| Products | Cattle, Lodging, Guided tours, Art gallery |
Curtin Springs, previously known as Mount Conner Station, operates as a pastoral lease functioning as a cattle station within the Alice Springs region of the Northern Territory of Australia.
Geography
Spanning an area of , this active cattle station and roadhouse is situated along the Lasseter Highway, positioned to the east of both Yulara and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
The property shares boundaries with several pastoral leases: Angas Downs lies to its northwest, Lyndavale to the southeast, and Mulga Park directly south. To the west, it adjoins land held by the Katiti Aboriginal Land Trust.
Climate
Curtin Springs experiences a hot desert climate (Köppen classification: BWh), marked by extremely warm summers, mild winter temperatures, and sparse, unpredictable rainfall primarily occurring during the summer months.
20th century
Initially established in the 1930s under the name Mount Conner Station, the property began as a sheep grazing operation founded by Paddy DeConlay.
In 1940, Abraham Andrews took over the lease and renamed it Curtin Springs Station in honor of John Curtin.
The pastoral lease was acquired in 1956 by Peter and Dawn Severin, who introduced approximately 1,500 cattle to the roughly 500mi2 property. Peter Severin, formerly a head stockman at another location, brought in 1,400 head of cattle to address outstanding debts. The family adapted to a remote lifestyle, residing beneath a bough shelter for three years.
By 1957, Len Tuit initiated tour services from Alice Springs to Uluru, utilizing Curtin Springs as a stopover point for refueling and water replenishment. This development marked the beginning of tourism activities in central Australia. The Severins responded by installing fuel tanks and offering refreshments to tourists traveling by bus on these routes.
Subsequently, Severin secured a liquor licence and established a pub incorporated into the station’s restaurant. This licence met resistance from local Aboriginal elders and organizations concerned about alcohol-related social problems affecting nearby communities such as Mutitjulu, Imanpa, and Pukatja. In 1988, elders challenged Severin’s licence in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory but were unsuccessful. Presently, the licence enforces restrictions that prevent alcohol sales to Aboriginal residents from adjacent communities or individuals suspected of visiting those areas.
21st century
By 2009, there was an increased adoption of Murray Grey cattle on the property aimed at improving herd temperament and overall quality.
2011–2022 bushfires
In 2011, approximately of Marqua Station were consumed by fires—the most extensive since the 1970s. Lightning strikes in September 2012 triggered additional blazes at Curtin Springs, resulting in closure of the Lasseter Highway due to hazardous smoke conditions. Further fires ignited by dry storms in October 2012 spread uncontrollably across difficult terrain amid strong winds. Collectively, these events destroyed over , representing nearly one-quarter of the station’s pastureland.
Native title
In April 2023, the Federal Court acknowledged native title rights for the Anangu over approximately of pastoral lease territory, encompassing Erldunda, Lyndavale, and Curtin Springs stations. This decision represented the inaugural recognition of commercial native title entitlements within Central Australia. The judgment affirms the traditional owners' rights to hunting and ceremonial activities on the land and mandates consultation regarding its usage.
Description
The Severin family opts to keep cattle numbers modest as a risk management strategy against challenges such as fires and drought conditions. Water supply for both the station operations and livestock is drawn from underground sources using a combination of diesel engines, solar-powered pumps, and windmills. Watering points for cattle are deliberately positioned within yards to enable passive mustering by encouraging animals to gather around water sources.
The enterprise has expanded its offerings to include lodging, guided tours, and an art gallery. In March 2018, an artist-in-residence initiative was introduced to further enhance cultural engagement.
Additionally, the station operates aviaries that accommodate birds rescued or bred in captivity which are unsuitable for release back into their natural habitats.
Guided tours emphasize local landmarks such as the Amadeus Salt Lake Chain and Mount Conner, both situated within Curtin Springs Station’s private boundaries.