THE PEOPLE

Our story

"Share our place, our stories, and the spirit of the bush.”
Join us, and become part of the growing Kinrara community

Kinrara Expeditions is a family founded and run business set up on the family’s unique cattle grazing property. Shane and Robyn O’Brien have been the owners of Kinrara Station since 2002, with the family settling generations prior next door in 1962 at Craig's Pocket and now operating in partnership with the traditional owners of the land - the Gugu Badhun. With the encouragement his brother Callum, the O'Briens agreed to turn the nature reserve within Kinrara into a place to welcome travelers and adventure seekers to explore the land, learn more about the area's unique flora and fauna, and to get to know the even more unique inhabitants of Australia's youngest land.

Your Host - Owner

Cathy Wharton

Cathy Wharton, the visionary behind https://nwozsafaris.com.au, is an undisputed legend in the tourism industry, renowned for her passion for the land and an illustrious career as an adventurer, tour guide, and local tour operator.

Cathy has introduced the international market to Kinrara Expeditions.   Bringing clients from around the world.  Netherlands, USA, Canada,  Belgium and France.  Who have already experienced the uniquely Australian experience.

Raised on a cattle station in north Queensland with close ties to the aboriginal community, Cathy's deep connection with nature has been a lifelong journey.

In her early 20s, Cathy embarked on extensive travels, exploring the landscapes of Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Africa, Europe, and sailing across the Pacific Ocean, including the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. These enriching experiences ignited her interest in discovering the treasures of her own country and delving into Aboriginal culture, paving the way for her role as a dedicated tour guide.


With over two decades of experience in the local tourism industry, Cathy and her team of North West Australian Safari guides specialize in delivering unique, high-quality tours to a diverse range of clients, including small groups, VIPs, and private charters, both domestically and internationally.


Cathy's extensive exploration of Australia's varied landscapes, from the Australian Outback and Cape York Peninsula to Arnhem Land, Uluru, the deserts of Western Australia, and the ancient Daintree rainforest, showcases her commitment to showcasing the country's natural beauty. Her passion has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her inclusion in the prestigious 'Magnificent Seven (Australian Guides)' by travel expert Mark Chipperfield in World Travellers Magazine in 2016.


Her qualifications, including a Wet Tropics World Heritage Tour Guide Accreditation and a Certificate IV in Tourism Guiding, reflect her dedication to excellence. Cathy has also been honored with the 'Cairns Tourism Association's KAMSLER Award for Promoting Excellence in Tourism.' Additionally, she holds essential certifications such as Senior First Aid and CPR, a Medium Rigid Drivers License, Queensland Drivers Accreditation, and an Australian government-issued Blue Card for working with young people.


Cathy's mission goes beyond guiding tours; she takes pride in fostering an appreciation for Australia's unique beauty, history, and culture. Her goal is to cultivate a genuine understanding and respect for Aboriginal Australians and their ancestral lands. Cathy and her team aspire to leave clients with indelible memories, igniting a lasting desire to explore more of Australia's wonders.


Your Host - Owner

Cathy Wharton

Cathy Wharton, the visionary behind https://nwozsafaris.com.au, is an undisputed legend in the tourism industry, renowned for her passion for the land and an illustrious career as an adventurer, tour guide, and local tour operator. Cathy has introduced the international market to Kinrara Expeditions.   Bringing clients from around the world.  Netherlands, USA, Canada,  Belgium and France.  Who have already experienced the uniquely Australian experience.Raised on a cattle station in north Queensland with close ties to the aboriginal community, Cathy's deep connection with nature has been a lifelong journey.


In her early 20s, Cathy embarked on extensive travels, exploring the landscapes of Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Africa, Europe, and sailing across the Pacific Ocean, including the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. These enriching experiences ignited her interest in discovering the treasures of her own country and delving into Aboriginal culture, paving the way for her role as a dedicated tour guide.


With over two decades of experience in the local tourism industry, Cathy and her team of North West Australian Safari guides specialize in delivering unique, high-quality tours to a diverse range of clients, including small groups, VIPs, and private charters, both domestically and internationally.


Cathy's extensive exploration of Australia's varied landscapes, from the Australian Outback and Cape York Peninsula to Arnhem Land, Uluru, the deserts of Western Australia, and the ancient Daintree rainforest, showcases her commitment to showcasing the country's natural beauty.


Her passion has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her inclusion in the prestigious 'Magnificent Seven (Australian Guides)' by travel expert Mark Chipperfield in World Travellers Magazine in 2016.


Her qualifications, including a Wet Tropics World Heritage Tour Guide Accreditation and a Certificate IV in Tourism Guiding, reflect her dedication to excellence. Cathy has also been honored with the 'Cairns Tourism Association's KAMSLER Award for Promoting Excellence in Tourism.'


Additionally, she holds essential certifications such as Senior First Aid and CPR, a Medium Rigid Drivers License, Queensland Drivers Accreditation, and an Australian government-issued Blue Card for working with young people.


Cathy's mission goes beyond guiding tours; she takes pride in fostering an appreciation for Australia's unique beauty, history, and culture. Her goal is to cultivate a genuine understanding and respect for Aboriginal Australians and their ancestral lands. Cathy and her team aspire to leave clients with indelible memories, igniting a lasting desire to explore more of Australia's wonders.

Expedition Team

A diverse group of experts

Each expedition will be led by a Chief Experience Officer or Expedition Director with a team of guides and camp support. Our local dedicated guides have substantial knowledge of all facets of the area. Coming from varied backgrounds (in agriculture, tourism, animal health and conservation), the team is always on hand to offer answers to your questions. Each 4WD will have a dedicated driver/guide and assigned guests, this ensures you build rapport with your guide and they build an understanding of your interests.


Given the unique and multifaceted nature of Kinrara, we have access to a huge range of academic and subject matter experts. The Gugu Badhun (our traditional owners) have many academic leaders within their community, they offer a forward thinking and fresh approach to indigenous education and understanding. 


Partnering with multiple universities and experts from many disciplines offer interpretation of the environment, ancient and modern human history, geology, hydrology, native flora and fauna, agriculture, carbon storage, natural resource management and energy production. This builds our understanding of Kinrara and informs the natural curiosity of our expedition members.



Each expedition will be led by a Chief Experience Officer or Expedition Director with a team of guides and camp support. Our local dedicated guides have substantial knowledge of all facets of the area. Coming from varied backgrounds (agriculture, tourism, animal health and conservation), the team is always on hand to offer answers to your questions. Each 4WD will have a dedicated driver/guide and assigned guests, this ensures you build rapport with your guide and they build an understanding of your interests.


Given the unique and multifaceted nature of Kinrara, we have access to a huge range of academic and subject matter experts. The Gugu Badhun (our traditional owners) have many academic leaders within their community, they offer a forward thinking and fresh approach to indigenous education and understanding. 


Partnering with multiple universities and experts from many disciplines offer interpretation of the environment, ancient and modern human history, geology, hydrology, native flora and fauna, agriculture, carbon storage, natural resource management and energy production. This builds our understanding of Kinrara and informs the natural curiosity of our expedition members.

Expedition Team

A diverse group of experts

People you'll meet along the way


The bush wouldn’t be complete without a few characters along the way. Given Kinrara is an operational cattle and carbon operation a steady stream of visitors come by. Be it Jerry, our helicopter pilot mate, or Shane the bloke who drives our trucks, or one of the neighbours, there’s always a character to meet and a story to be shared.


Memories that last a lifetime

"It’s a surreal landscape of ink-black basalt frozen into swirls and wrinkled whirls and submerged lava tubes covered in canary-yellow algae that look like coral bommies. Water bubbles up from a spring beside Kinrara Homestead a few kilometres away at a rate of more than 10 megalitres an hour, and the wetlands form the headwaters of the Burdekin River. As clear as a glass of gin, the lake is crocodile-free and perfect for swimming and snorkelling."

"Hectares of grass dotted with livestock and gum trees in a palette of parchment, cinnamon and sage-green, while in front is a miniature rainforest with an emerald canopy of umbrella palms and fig trees. At its centre, a clear spring gushes from an unseen source into a shallow, three-tiered waterfall between banks stacked with lush ferns. Cattle. Outback. Rainforest. Waterfalls. The combination seems incongruous and remarkable."

"It’s a surreal landscape of ink-black basalt frozen into swirls and wrinkled whirls and submerged lava tubes covered in canary-yellow algae that look like coral bommies. Water bubbles up from a spring beside Kinrara Homestead a few kilometres away at a rate of more than 10 megalitres an hour, and the wetlands form the headwaters of the Burdekin River. As clear as a glass of gin, the lake is crocodile-free and perfect for swimming and snorkelling."

"Hectares of grass dotted with livestock and gum trees in a palette of parchment, cinnamon and sage-green, while in front is a miniature rainforest with an emerald canopy of umbrella palms and fig trees. At its centre, a clear spring gushes from an unseen source into a shallow, three-tiered waterfall between banks stacked with lush ferns. Cattle. Outback. Rainforest. Waterfalls. The combination seems incongruous and remarkable."

Fabian - Expedition 1905

'Thank you for transporting us to a magical place. Timeless, honest, sometimes harsh but always beautiful. Waking up to the raw Australiana wilderness and working station life is a once in a lifetime experience.' Your welcoming smiles, and personal yarns made us feel as if you have welcomed us into your home.

"It’s a surreal landscape of ink-black basalt frozen into swirls and wrinkled whirls and submerged lava tubes covered in canary-yellow algae that look like coral bommies. Water bubbles up from a spring beside Kinrara Homestead a few kilometres away at a rate of more than 10 megalitres an hour, and the wetlands form the headwaters of the Burdekin River. As clear as a glass of gin, the lake is crocodile-free and perfect for swimming and snorkelling."

The Henry Family - Expedition 2004

Thank you so much for hosting our ‘city slicker’ family in this magical place we feel more ‘Australian’ for the experience. We’re grateful for the jovial company and good chat, the kayaking, the opportunity to meet the horses, the chance to learn about a working cattle station, the birdlife, delicious food and sunsets.

"Hectares of grass dotted with livestock and gum trees in a palette of parchment, cinnamon and sage-green, while in front is a miniature rainforest with an emerald canopy of umbrella palms and fig trees. At its centre, a clear spring gushes from an unseen source into a shallow, three-tiered waterfall between banks stacked with lush ferns. Cattle. Outback. Rainforest. Waterfalls. The combination seems incongruous and remarkable."

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