From Little Things Big Things Grow
Stockman’s Dreaming
Stockman’s Dreaming was the idea of a Ngumpan Elder and Stockman, Angus Hobbs, who’s dream was that there could be a place where Stockmen and Drovers of the past could be honoured and commemorated.
The Kimberley Pastoral industry was built on the back of the Indigenous Drovers, Stockmen, Yard Builders, Fencers, Cooks, Horse Trainers, and the Women who supported station life and raised families in harsh conditions.
The Stockman’s Dreaming facility will become an iconic cultural tourism destination where important stories will be shared through engaging displays of memorabilia, artefacts, audio-visual storytelling, art, and live presentations by local Indigenous knowledge holders.
These immersive experiences will be housed in the currently disused Ngumpan Art Gallery building and will offer visitors a rare and authentic insight into Kimberley history, culture, and resilience.
Where we are
Stockman’s Dreaming will be located at Ngumpan on the Great Northern Highway half way between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek.
It is strategically located along the Great Northern Highway in an area bordering the lush sub-tropical Kimberley to the north and dry Great Sandy desert to the south, it is a place of growing tourism potential. It will also offer a camping area under shady gum tress and beside a spring fed creek
The Starting Point - Ngumpan
What we do
Welcome to Stockman’s Dreaming - a place where we commemorate the history of the Aboriginal Stockmen, Drovers and Station workers that built the Kimberley Pastoral Industry.
Our facility at Ngumpan has exhibitions interactive stories, videos and memorabilia on display. You can also buy refreshments (coffee, ice-cream's and local damper are our specialties) souvenirs, local art and books. Sit around our yarning circle and meet some of our locals - hear about their culture, history and day to day lives. Book local tag along tours through aboriginal lands that are only accessible with one of our local Traditional Owners.
You can also stay in our camping area beside a spring fed creek - but you will need to be fully self sufficient to do this. And there is more so come and visit us - we open in early May 2027.
KEY COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Cultural Preservation:- Captures and preserves significant Aboriginal oral histories for future generations.
Aboriginal Employment:- Creates pathways for local employment, skills development and enterprise participation.
Tourism Diversification:- Strengthens the Fitzroy Valley’s cultural tourism offering with an authentic visitor experience.
Regional Economic Growth:- Contributes to economic diversification and increased visitor spending in the Kimberley.
Employment & Skills Development:-
6–8 FTE equivalent positions (early stage)
Youth engagement and training pathways
Local enterprise participation in tourism services
Visitor Economy Contribution:-
Diversifies Fitzroy Valley tourism experiences
Extends visitor stay and regional spend
Strengthens cultural tourism positioning
Community & Cultural Outcomes:-
Preserves and activates significant Aboriginal heritage
Strengthens intergenerational knowledge transfer
Contributes to regional liveability and wellbeing