Getaway host Catriona Rowntree reveals the top Aussie destinations Yellowstone fans need to visit
After being a Getaway host for over 25 years, it's fair to say Catriona Rowntree knows a thing or two about top holiday destinations.
And if you follow her on social media, you'll also know that she's one of the biggest Yellowstone fans... well, ever.
Stream the latest Getaway episodes for free on 9Now.
"Me and my husband are so obsessed, and had all the farmers in our district over for a Yellowstone-themed birthday party!" Catriona, who lives in country Victoria with her farmer husband James and their two children, told 9Entertainment.
"The sort of lifestyle we see on Yellowstone is one that is adored and cherished the world over. Farmers are all about cherishing their animals, the land, and investing in it – there's so much resonance in the series that is authentic."
With the final ever episodes of Yellowstone currently airing and taking the world by storm, we thought we'd ask travel expert Catriona for her top picks for places to visit in Australia that will make you feel like you're right on the ranch.
Catriona Rowntree loves Yellowstone as much as all of us. Supplied
While you can of course stay at the actual Yellowstone ranch in Montana, there's many places in our own backyard that will provide just as much enjoyment.
So grab a whiskey, giddy up and prepare to get packing – here's Catriona's top Yellowstone-esque destinations so you can live like Beth and Rip:
Longreach, Queensland
Longreach is a town in Queensland located 700 kilometres from the coast, west of Rockhampton.
It's a true outback experience, full of colourful characters and plenty of things to do – including a boat cruise on the Thomson River, so you can experience the land from a different perspective.
Catriona recommends visiting the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, showcasing a history of the importance of the stockmen and women to the development of the sheep and cattle industry in Queensland.
Longreach is a town in Queensland which wears the title the 'heart of the Outback'. Getty
One of Yellowstone's most magical features its its vast, wide-open spaces, and Longreach offers a similar feeling of remote beauty.
"You can sleep under the stars," she said of the area.
It doesn't get more Yellowstone than that!
Tamworth, New South Wales
While Yellowstone is known for its rugged and untamed landscapes, music features heavily in each episode with many of the core cast being musicians in real life.
Tamworth Country Music Festival is certainly a place for the musical. Facebook
Tamworth is said to be the country music capital of Australia, with the Tamworth Country Music Festival attracting thousands of fans every year.
"I also absolutely love the properties you can stay at there," Catriona added.
READ MORE: Catriona Rowntree explores the fascinating Portuguese capital of Lisbon
Much like the sweeping views found in Yellowstone, Tamworth's rural landscape is perfect for exploring on foot, by car or on horseback. Fans will feel right at home; think of it as a different flavour of the cowboy way of life with a distinct Aussie twist.
Lightning Ridge, New South Wales
Only very recently, viewers got to see Catriona head over to the small outback mining town of Lightning Ridge situated near the southern border of Queensland.
She visited Carinya Station, which provides a real outback experience including station tours, bush camping and star-gazing.
Catriona loved spending time in Carinya Staion. Nine
Joe Barry and his wife Jacinda decided to open up their family sheep farm to guests as a low-impact, eco-conscious destination that fosters connection to the land, spreads information on agriculture and in some cases helps to form life-long friendships.
Joe and Jacinda will gladly give visitors a tour of the 2,670 hectare property. Visitors can meet the farm crew, learn about the local Yuwaalaraay culture and the history and farming side of the station.
Anything better than sitting by a campfire in the wilderness? Nine
While Yellowstone is a symbol of the American wilderness, Carinya Station provides a completely different yet captivating wilderness experience for all.
Catriona absolutely loved it, and you will too.
Bullara Station, Western Australia
Approximately 1,170 kilometres north of Perth and 90 kilometres south of Exmouth, Bullara Station is a working cattle station in WA which shares several characteristics with Yellowstone National Park that could very much appeal to fans.
The aim of Bullara Station is to offer visitors experience of life on a cattle station, in an authentic, environmentally sustainable and comfortable way. There's campfire gatherings to enjoy a cool beverage, and seasonal events which change all year round.
Bullara Station boasts untamed landscapes and places to camp and hike – and as a bonus, it's close to somewhere that Catriona has always wanted to go.
"It's really close to Ningaloo Reef, which is on my bucket list," she said.
Ningaloo is Australia's largest fringing reef that whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles call home.
Waterloo Station, NSW
Located in Matheson, Waterloo Station provides a stunning insight into times past and is surrounded by century-old English elm trees.
You can stay in classic country accommodation; from the Waterloo Stockman's Cottage to the unique Shearers Lodgings, or perhaps the private one bedroom Creek Shack or Schoolhouse.
It's a charming, off-the-beaten path destination that captures the same spirit of exploration and connection to nature as found in Yellowstone.
Kings Creek Station, Northern Territory
The Northern Territory encompasses everything Yellowstone does; stunning beauty, striking natural wonders and a place that's teeming with wildlife.
Kings Creek Station is a cattle station with a range of accommodation options from camping to luxury tents so you can feel at one with nature.
The station tour gives visitors the opportunity to learn all about outback life and the everyday workings of a station in Central Australia on their buggy station tour.
Catriona says glamping is simply a must at the destination.
El Questro Station, Western Australia
Located in the Kimberley region of WA, El Questro Station is a working cattle station that was first established in 1903.
From deep gorges to majestic ranges and thermal springs, there's a lot to explore across the property's 700,000 acres.
You can stay in spacious campgrounds, air-conditioned rooms or indulge in pure luxury at the homestead. Grab a hat, we're off!
For those willing to travel...
Chief Joseph Ranch, Darby, Montana
For the full Yellowstone experience, Catriona of course recommended staying at the ranch itself.
Chief Joseph Ranch is a real ranch in Montana used for the filming of the series.
The family-owned, working ranch is also home to the 'Dutton family home' – a stunning 6,000 square foot lodge that sits alongside three massive barns.
Chief Joseph Ranch, the real location of Yellowstone. Instagram
Chief Joseph Ranch is located in the town of Darby, Montana, with the Bitterroot River Valley just outside its doorstep.
READ MORE: Catriona Rowntree embarks on a luxury Arctic voyage
The coolest part is, they keep the Yellowstone signs up all year round!
Watched by millions, the 'Yellowstone' Ranch has become a character in its own right. Although the owners still see the ranch as a guest house and family home.
"We are humbled and honoured that Paramount chose our ranch as the setting of this amazing series," they said on their website.
The Yellowstone Ranch in real life. Instagram
From US$1,400 per night (AU$2,098), guests can stay for at least three nights in one of property's famous cabins.
Fans can choose to rent out 'Lee Dutton's Cabin' which has 360 degree views of picturesque mountains, or 'Rip's Cabin' which has Beth's aesthetic written all over it and sleeps up to eight guests. You can even bring your own horses for the ride!
When asked if she wanted to go, Catriona laughed: "Not only does my husband want to go, he wants to work there! He wants to go and work on property over there like he's on a gap year. Let's face it – who knows what's going to happen..."
Catriona's husband James is equally as obsessed with the series. Supplied
When asked if she would ever consider a move, Catriona added: "I probably would. I fell in love with a farmer and I love the lifestyle, the values, the music, the people and the characters you get to work with day in and day out."
Catriona also recommended Rock Creek resort in Montana (which Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth, is a huge fan of) and Dunton Hot Springs – where Lily Collins got married – in Colorado.
So much choice!
As well as dreaming about the lifestyle, Catriona of course discussed the show itself – and she was just as shocked as us when John Dutton's tragic fate was revealed.
"It was a really fantastic filming technique to draw you in, as John Dutton will remain right throughout this series, let me tell you," she said of Kevin Costner's character being written out in the starting few minutes of the mid-season premiere.
"His presence will be felt. I just love the fact that you truly don't know what's going to come firing your way. We all have a fairytale in our heads of how we want this to be wrapped up, but we are all around the world just glued to our screens."
Discussing the impact the show has had, she continued: "Yellowstone has affected travel, it's affected tourism, how we hopefully treat our land and give a little more respect to farmers over developers.
"What they do so beautifully is – we believe the characters. We fall in love. We don't think they're acting, we really believe in Beth and Rip. We're all yelling at the TV, throwing on our cowboy hats and we're all so inspired by this movement."
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest news from your favourite shows via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
The only place you can stream every episode of Yellowstone is on Stan
