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How to plan an outback road trip

Matilda Way, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

How to plan an Australian outback road trip

Take a drive on the wild side. Here's our top tips for the ultimate Australian outback adventure on four wheels.

By Lee Atkinson

There’s nowhere quite like the Australian outback (the mainland interior) with its big skies, starry nights and sense of limitless space. It’s where to go to see ancient mountain ranges and wildflower-filled plains, rocky gorges decorated with Aboriginal art and waterways lined with majestic river gum trees. It's a place of friendly country towns and colourful locals who wear hats as big as their smiles. And the best way to see it all is on a road trip . 

What’s it like to drive in the outback?

Stuart Highway, Alice Springs Region, Northern Territory © Tourism NT, Sam Earp

The cooler months of April though to November are the best time to go on an outback road trip – the summer heat is too much for most.

Driving in the outback is pretty stress-free. There’s a lot less traffic to worry about than in the cities and it’s well signposted. Country towns welcome visitors – they all have caravan parks where you can stay if you’re camping or campervanning and there’s lots of motels, pubs and roadhouses that serve meals and offer basic but comfortable accommodation . 

It’s best to avoid driving at night, as animals such as kangaroos can be very hard to see and you don’t want to risk hitting one. You also need to be careful with road trains (trucks with three or four trailers). Some outback highways are quite narrow, so if you see a road train approaching, move over and give them plenty of space. And always make sure you have plenty of open road ahead if you are overtaking one. 

Unsealed dirt or gravel roads are dusty and sometimes corrugated, and fine to drive on in dry weather. But don’t be tempted if it has rained recently – you’ll get bogged and driving on a road that has been marked as closed incurs big fines. You’ll also find that many unsealed roads traverse private property. Always leave a gate as you found it – if it’s open go straight on through, but if it’s closed make sure you close it after you’ve driven through.

What type of car do I need in the outback?

Keep River National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism NT, Shaana McNaught

If you do break down in the outback, don’t leave your vehicle; wait until help comes to you. The number to call in emergencies is Triple Zero (000).

You don’t need a 4WD to explore the outback; there’s lots of amazing outback road trips you can do in a regular car or campervan. The road from Alice Springs to Ulu r u, for example, is fully sealed, as is the highway across the Nullarbor in southern Australia, and the road that spears right through the heart of the country, from Alice Springs to Darwin . Even the major roads in Kakadu National Park  are fine for 2WDs. 

But you will need a 4WD if you want to tackle some of the famous outback dirt tracks, like the Gibb River Road in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Is it easy to buy fuel in the outback?

The Corner Country Store, Tibooburra, New South Wales © Destination NSW

You’ll find petrol stations or roadhouses in almost every town and at regular intervals on major highways, but they often only operate from 9am-5pm and, in really out-of-the-way places, may be closed on weekends. 

If you are planning on heading out on some of the remote tracks, be aware that sometimes diesel is more readily available than petrol in the outback, and many Aboriginal communities will sell Opal fuel instead of petrol, but this is fine to use in any vehicle that normally runs on unleaded. To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to travel with an extra container of fuel.

What do I need to take into the outback?

The Pinnacles, Coral Coast, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

One of the most important things to bring on an outback road trip is plenty of drinking water. Tap water is safe to drink unless otherwise signposted (it can sometimes taste a little salty) but some outback petrol stations in areas where water is scarce won’t let you top up your campervan water tanks for free, so prepare to pay for it. You should also carry a good first aid kit, and make sure you have the tools needed to change a tyre.

Mobile phone coverage is patchy in the outback, so don’t rely on live online maps (download them in advance to use offline). Buy a GPS with satellite navigation, or hire one from your car rental company. Hiring a satellite phone is a good idea if you are heading off the main road network.

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The 13 Best Places to Visit in the Outback & Travel Itineraries

The Red Centre of Australia is a fun place to explore – the amazing landscapes make this one of our favorite spots in Australia. With barren deserts and long drives, a road trip in the Outback has many amazing places we did not expect to see. The scenery is unique with mountain ranges, massive canyons, and gorges with permanent watering holes.

While the Outback may not be as “sexy” as a trip to the  Great Ocean Road , Sydney beaches, or  tropical Queensland , something about the Outback’s raw beauty and spiritual history makes it hard to beat.

The Outback is a perfect place for a 7-14 day road trip. We cover all the highlights in the Outback, a survival guide, and various itineraries for those short on time or looking for a week-long road trip through the Red Centre.

Check out our list of the 13 best places to see in the Outback below!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon .

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The Outback Travel Guide

Best time to visit the outback.

The best time to visit is during the winter months (June – September) when the days are hot but manageable. The temperature drops significantly during the night, so having layers and a light jacket would be a good idea.

Visiting the Darwin region in the summer (wet season) should be avoided at all costs. Not only are temperatures extremely high, but it is also monsoon season and roads are commonly flooded.

How to Get to The Outback

The cheapest flights are with TigerAir. Flights from Brisbane start from $150 to Darwin or $270 to Alice Springs. From Sydney, flights start from $160 to Darwin or $240 to Alice Springs. Flights from Melbourne start from $180 to Darwin or $200 to Alice Springs.

Check Flight Prices on Skyscanner

Thrifty AU  has locations in Darwin and Alice Springs, among other major cities in Australia. They have very competitive rates. Make sure to check and understand the agreement terms for unsealed roads. Most small vehicles do not allow for use off-road, and penalties are excessive.

Rentals in the Outback typically come with 100 kilometers (62 miles) per day with overage charges of around $0.30 per km. Although 100 km per day may seem like a lot, driving distances in the Outback can easily exceed that.

Routes to The Outback

Driving from queensland.

Townsville is the main gateway into the Outback from Queensland. The Flinders Highway (A6) originates in Townsville and connects with Mount Isa and on to the Stuart Highway (87). It is 1,600 kilometers, or two full days driving without stops, to get from Townsville to the Stuart Highway.

The road is sealed with speed limits of 100 km/h in Queensland and 140 km/h in the Northern Territory.

4WD Route From Cairns

If Darwin is your first destination in the Outback and you have time to spare, the Savannah Way (Highway 1) is an excellent 4WD adventure. The beginning stretch from Cairns to Normanton is a sealed road, although there are creek crossings on this route so it is not advised for 2WD.

The real journey begins after Normanton on the stretch between Burketown and Borroloola, a remote area that requires experienced drivers with high clearance 4WD vehicles. Check conditions before going. This road can be flooded and impassable, especially during the summer. 

The Savannah Way is a great resource for itineraries and road conditions, and it has contact numbers for emergencies.

Driving from South Australia

Adelaide is the gateway to the Outback from South Australia. The Stuart Highway originates in Port Augusta, three hours north of Adelaide. From Adelaide to Alice Springs, it is 1,500 kilometers in distance (930 miles), or two very long driving days.

The 13 Best Highlights of the Australian Outback

Also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is the most recognizable landmark in the Outback and one of the top reasons to visit the Land Down Under. Pictures simply cannot do this massive sandstone rock justice. There is something so spiritual being in its presence.

This was one of our favorite places in Australia. We stayed for three days to explore the park and watch the rock glow red at sunrise and sunset. Take advantage of the three-day pass and stay awhile.

Hiking at Uluru

Currently, hiking to the top of Uluru is closed . The local aboriginal Aṉangu tribe does not climb it for spiritual reasons. They also ask that visitors do not climb it out of respect for their traditions.

A good way to explore Uluru is to hike around the base of the entire rock. It is a 10 km (6.2 miles) walk and takes around three hours. The hike begins from the Mutitjulu carpark or Mala carpark. There are several sections along the walk where photography is not allowed as these sites are considered sacred.

Best Sunrise Locations at Uluru

My favorite spot for sunrise is at the end of the sunset car park. There are usually only a few people there. Views are unobstructed with the sun rising behind Uluru.

Although extremely busy, my second favorite spot is at the Uluru sunrise platform. If using a tripod, be sure to show up early for a good spot. This view has the sun rising from behind, which helps capture the glowing red rock.

There are also some nice spots while driving on the road that circumnavigates Uluru.

Best Sunset Locations at Uluru

The sunset car park is best for sunset. The crowds will be here watching alongside you, so it is best to arrive one to two hours beforehand. My favorite location is at the very right, after the last few parking spots.

All of the accommodation and shops are located outside the park in the town of Yulara. There is a small IGA supermarket to stock up on supplies. There are several restaurants in the small center of the town. It is a 10-minute drive to the park entry gates.

Entrance Fee for Uluru

The entrance fee to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is $38, valid for multiple entries for up to three days.

The Ayer’s Rock Campground charges per vehicle. The closest free campsite is a 15-minute drive from Yulara at a rest stop along the highway.

2. Kata Tjuta

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is not only home to Uluru. Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, is an incredible site in its own right. It is located 45 km (28 miles) east of Uluru, or a one-hour drive.

There are two viewing areas for Kata Tjuta – the one off the main road has panoramic views of all 36 domes but is quite far away. The other is close to the base of Kata Tjuta, but it is somewhat obstructed by trees. My favorite viewing location for photography, including sunrise or sunset, is on the side of the Valley of the Winds access road. 

Make sure to explore Kata Tjuta for one day and watch one sunset while visiting the park.

The Valley of the Winds is a 3-hour hike that should not be missed. The hike winds through the rock formations next to Mount Olga and through a very scenic valley. This is my favorite hike in the park.

Entrance Fee

3. Kings Canyon

We were pleasantly surprised by this beautiful and massive canyon. The 100-meter (328-foot) cliff walls are sure to make you feel a bit uneasy. It is located four hours north of Uluru, and worth the detour.

There are a couple of walks in the area – the Kings Creek trail is an easy 2 km (1.2 mile) walk that follows the canyon floor.

The best views are on the 6 km (3.7 mile) Kings Canyon Rim Walk. This loop trail has a steep ascent in the beginning and follows the canyon rim allowing for incredible views. There is a short detour that descends down to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole. The entire hike takes about three hours to complete.

The Kings Canyon Campground has unpowered sites. The first free campground is a rest stop 30 minutes drive toward Uluru.

4. Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park, located three hours southeast of Darwin, is the largest national park in Australia. Several different types of landforms define the park, including cliff walls, gorges, and floodplains. The park is known for its waterfalls – Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls, and Twin Falls.

There are many walks throughout the park, the best ones are the Koolpin Gorge Track, the Nawurlandja Lookout, the Barrk Marlam Walk (June – October), and the Twin Falls Plateau Walk. Other activities in the park include boating, fishing, wildlife, and crocodile spotting.

A park pass is $25 during the wet season and $40 during the dry season (May – October) which is valid for up to seven consecutive days.

Kakadu offers free camping and bush camping (walk-in) sites throughout the park. Check the  park website  for all accommodation options, including campsites.

5. Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk, formerly known as Katherine Gorge National Park, is located south of Kakadu. The two major highlights at Nitmiluk are the Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls. Several  hikes  in the park range from two hours to 3-day treks.

Canoeing is also a great way to explore the gorges on the Katherine River. For overnight hiking and canoe trips, camping is available at Dunlop Swamp, Smitt Rock, and Eighth Gorge.

For the ultimate hike, grab a permit and set off on the  Jatbula Trail . This is a 4 or 5-night hike starting from Nitmiluk Gorge and ending at Edith Falls.

Bush campsites at the Gorge Caravan Park are abundant, but require a permit from the park office.

6. Litchfield National Park

Located two hours south of Darwin, the Litchfield National Park is loaded with single-drop and cascading waterfalls. Popular attractions are Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Florence Falls, and the Buley Rockhole.

The Lost City has impressive sandstone pillars and is an interesting place to visit, but it is only accessible by 4WD. The are several  short walks  as well as the 3 to 5-day  Tabletop Track .

Camping is available at the Wangi and Florence Falls campsites.

7. Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation

The Devil’s Marbles Conservation area is a bizarre and beautiful place to visit. It is full of round rock formations that precariously sit atop of one another. The natural process of erosion and weathering has changed the shapes of the granite stone to resemble round marbles, hence the name of the conservation.

Access is directly off the Stuart Highway. There are several short trails that take two to three hours to visit. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset photography, as well as astrophotography if the conditions are right.

There is a basic campground (toilet, no other facilities) with fire pits at Devil’s Marbles. The closest places with facilities are Tennant Creek Caravan Park (100 km north) and Barrow Creek Motel (130 km south).

8. West McDonald Range

The West McDonald Range is only a short drive from Alice Springs and is a great place to explore. Who would have thought that the Outback has pristine swimming holes and beautiful gorges? Not us!

The best places to stop are the Simpsons Gap, the Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, and Redbank Gorge. Each gorge is a 10 to 30-minute walk from the highway. Ellery Creek and Redbank Gorge were our favorites as both had a watering hole, perfect for an afternoon dip.

Our favorite hike was the Counts Point return which is a 13 km (8 miles) loop hike from the Serpentine Gorge. If you are up for a challenge, the 223km (138 miles)  Larapinta Trail  should be on the list. This hike traverses the range in 13-16 days. It should only be attempted during the winter months.

All gorges and sites are free except for the Standley Chasm which costs $12 per adult entrance, or $18.50 for overnight camping which includes the entry.

There are several free campsites along the West McDonald Range on Larapinta Drive. All of the gorges listed above have campsites which range in cost depending on the facilities.

9. Mereenie Loop Road

Mereenie Loop Road is an awesome way to get the Outback drive experience; no 4WD required (mostly). This road links the West McDonald Range and Kings Canyon so you don’t have to backtrack through Alice Springs.

The private road cuts through aboriginal land and is officially considered a 4WD-only road. However, with a bit of confidence, the road is an easy drive unless it has recently rained. We did it in our AWD Subaru Forester.

There are sections that are heavily corrugated and get quite bumpy, so you should drive slow but most of the drive is quite easy and smooth. There is absolutely nothing on this road and very few cars pass by, so make sure to have enough petrol. Also, bring extra water just in case. This is a 2-3 hour drive.

Note: Before attempting this drive make sure to check conditions at Glen Helen Lodge or Kings Canyon Resort. The Alice Spring Visitor Center directed us there for the latest road conditions. One night of rain can make this road impassable.

A permit fee is payable at the Alice Springs Visitor Center, the Kings Canyon Resort, or the Glen Helen Lodge. We never had our permit checked but I would get one anyway.

There is no accommodation or camping allowed on this drive. There are campsites and accommodation at both ends in Glen Helen or near Kings Canyon.

10. Oodnadatta Track

This 620 km (384 miles) multi-day drive is a true Outback adventure. The journey is possible on 2WD vehicles during the dry season. The track follows the abandoned Ghan rail line with several stops, including abandoned ruins, salt lakes, and natural springs. Some of the main stops are Lake Eyre, Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs, Coward Springs, the Hergott Springs, and the William Creek Hotel (the only pub on the drive).

The drive is between Marree and Marla, with fuel stops at Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta, and Marla.

Note: Before attempting check with the  Pink Roadhouse  for the latest track information.

There are basic campgrounds at Coward Springs.

11. Breakaways Conservation Park

The Breakaways Conservation Park has low hills with incredible colors from centuries of erosion. Several gravel roads lead to different views of the park. The overlooks are a great spot to watch the sunset.

These rock formations are located 30 km (18 miles) north of Coober Pedy. From the Stuart Highway, there is a well-conditioned 16 km (10 miles) gravel road to the park.

There is no accommodation or camping allowed in the conversation area. The closest option for accommodation is Coober Pedy which has free campgrounds and several hotels.

12. Lake Hart

This large salt lake is something out of the ordinary and worth a short stop on the way to or from Adelaide. It is located 40 km (25 miles) north of Pimba and 327 km (200 miles) south of Coober Pedy. The lake is only a 5-minute walk from the highway.

There is a free Lake Hart Rest Area with no facilities.

13. Flinders Ranges

The largest mountain range in South Australia is 450 km (280 miles) north of Adelaide. The best section of the Flinders Ranges is within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This is the southernmost part of the Outback.

The park is known for outstanding wildlife and great hiking opportunities. The Bunyeroo Gorge is a nice scenic drive. For those not intending to hike overnight, Razorback Lookout is a great sunset location. 

The Wilpena Pound also has several great hikes. The St Mary Peak loop is a 21.5 km (13 miles) overnight hike and the Wangara Lookout is a nice 7-8 km (5 miles) day walk with panoramic views.

$12 per vehicle

Several campsites are available in the Flinders Ranges, which you can book online. The Wilpena Pound Resort campgrounds are a bit more pricey.

A 3-Day Uluru Itinerary

If you are really squeezed for time, three days is enough to check Uluru off your bucket list. Book flights in and out of Alice Springs.

• Day 1:  Wake early and drive from Alice Springs to Yulara, a five and half hour drive. Stop at the overlook for Mt. Connor, also known as Fool-uru. Immediately, head to the national park and spend the next three hours hiking around the base of Uluru, starting from the Mutitjulu watering hole. If short on time, it’s still worth it to walk around the base for 30 or so minutes. Stay for sunset.
• Day 2:  Head to Uluru for sunrise from the sunrise car park. Afterward, head back to Yulara for breakfast. After lunch, drive out to Kata Tjuta for the afternoon. Hike the Valley of the Winds walk and stay for sunset. Make sure to drive back before the gates close.
• Day 3:  Watch the sunrise from the sunset viewing in the car park and enjoy a picnic breakfast at the visitor center. After soaking it all in at Uluru, head back to Alice Springs for your departure flight.

Note : Alice Springs is the central hub of the Outback. However, there is little reason to stay in Alice Springs other than to restock and gather free maps and information from the visitor center.

The 7-Day Outback Itinerary

To hit all the highlights of the Outback, seven days is a perfect way to explore the region. To maximize your time, fly to Darwin or Alice Springs and rent a car. This suggested itinerary can be done in either direction.

• Day 1:  Stock up in Alice Springs and hit the road to explore the waterholes and hikes in the West McDonald Range. Camp at one of the campsites.
• Day 2:  Drive the Mereenie Loop Road to Kings Canyon and hike the rim walk. Stay for sunset and camp near Kings Canyon Resort.
• Day 3-4:  Explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta with two sunrises and sunsets. Stay in Yulara.
• Day 5:  A long driving day with a sunset stop at Devils Boulders. Camp at the Devils Boulders campground.
• Day 6:  Sunrise at Devils Boulders and a long driving day to Katherine.
• Day 7:  Hike or canoe in the Katherine River Gorge and drive up to Darwin to finish the 7-day road trip.

Ultimate 14-Day Road Trip in the Outback

Be mentally prepared for several long driving days with no stops. Two weeks in the Outback is a perfect amount of time to soak in all the highlights. Whether you drive in from South Australia, Queensland, or fly into Darwin, two weeks allows for at least one full day at all the best spots.

• Day 1-3:  Hike in Flinders Ranges or drive the Oodnadatta Track to Marla. Head towards Uluru.
• Day 3-5:  Explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta for two days seeing all the sunrises and sunsets.
• Day 6:  Drive four hours to Kings Canyon. Hike the rim walk.
• Day 7-8:  Drive the Mereenie Loop Road and explore the watering holes in the West McDonald Ranges. Head towards Darwin.
• Day 9-10:  Marvel at the Devils Boulders on the way to Katherine.
• Day 11:  Canoe or Hike in the Katherine River Gorge.
• Day 12-13:  Hike and explore the Kakadu National Park.
• Day 14:  Check out all the waterfalls and watering holes in Litchfield National Park. Head to Darwin.

What to Bring to the Outback

Food  – We expected prices to be much higher in Alice Springs, which they were not, so try not to bring too much. Stock up on a few essentials such as canned goods and non-perishable items that will last while in a hot car. Alice Springs has full-size supermarkets and Uluru has a normal size IGA. It is a good idea to have 3-4 days of food.

Alcohol  – NT has some strange laws on alcohol, so definitely stock up on it for the duration of your trip. Alice Springs is the only place with proper liquor stores but the prices were higher than in the rest of Australia. The law prohibits sales during certain hours and regulates the quantity of liquor sold (especially when purchasing cask wines or goon).

Fuel  – If you’re going on a 4WD adventure, carry a 10L or 20L can of extra petrol.

Apps for Australia

There are two apps to download before heading to Australia.  Campermate  is a free app that provides information on campsites, things to see, petrol, and lots more. 

WikiCamps Australia  is a paid app that has tons of information and user comments. The comments can be downloaded ahead so the entire app is available offline. WikiCamps is great for its extensive list of campsites and comments to help provide information and suggestions.

Important Things to Know About The Outback

Fuel  – petrol is more widely available than expected in the Outback. With that said, it is normal to have a 200 km (125 miles) stretch between petrol stations. Most roadhouses have petrol. My rule of thumb was no matter what the price, fill up at every possible place.

Roadhouses  – Roadhouses are few and far between, usually with nowhere else to stop. Roadhouses have petrol and sometimes a small general store. They always have camping options, food, and beer available.

Driving at Night  – Unless you have to, do not drive at night. It simply is not safe. It gets very dark in the Outback, there are no road lights, and there is an abundance of wildlife. If you plan on staying for sunsets, make sure to drive very slow on the way back to your accommodation.

Lock Car Doors  – We heard on a few occasions, especially at Uluru, of things getting stolen. It almost always occurred with unlocked car doors. And it typically happened in the middle of the night, even with people sleeping in the car. Make sure to always lock your doors. As a rule of thumb, do not stay at a rest stop or campsite unless there is another car there.

That’s it – we hope you have an amazing time exploring these spots to see in the Outback!

Planning a trip to Australia? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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About the Author:

Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years. After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

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Home Australian Geographic Adventure Outback travel: The ultimate family guide

Outback travel: The ultimate family guide

When we think ‘outback’, the iconic image is that of the red sand of Australia’s desert country. But, it also covers the remote tropical regions of Oz as well – think: Cape York, Kakadu, the NT/QLD Gulf Country and WA’s mighty north-west (encompassing the Kimberley and the Pilbara regions). By themselves, Australia’s deserts account for an estimated 70 per cent of the continent’s land mass. Pretty impressive, but not half as impressive as actually getting out there and exploring and camping in one (or more) of them. Nothing beats that sense of utter remoteness offered by the combo of an endless red, sandy horizon, topped by the blue skies synonymous with this country’s desert regions.  

The attractions of outback touring go beyond that sense of isolation and remoteness and also take in the rich ties this landscape has with all Australians, whether it is the eons-old indigenous culture, or the more recent European explorers’ history. It is this sense of retracing the steps of early explorers that is one draw for visitors. This, in turn, is further enriched by the chance to experience that ‘sense of place’ so ingrained in Indigenous culture – along with the physical reminders of their long and continued residence here, in the form of reliable waterholes, petroglyphs, etc. 

The other appeal is that, rather than being ‘the same thing every day’, a week or two (or longer) exploring one or more of Australia’s outback regions, really brings home how unique each of them is, in terms of the wildlife, Indigenous links, terrain, camping, the driving challenge and plenty more.  

Yeah, it sounds impossibly romantic; packing the 4WD and heading to points unknown, but that notion of outback escapism needs to be, firstly, backed by a whole lot of research, planning and preparation, including perhaps upgrading your vehicle. Once that is out of the way – and the actual pre-trip prep can be more than half the fun – is when the real adventure starts. Let’s go… 

Vehicle choices 

Outback travel is punishing on vehicles due to the usually rugged tracks and roads, as well as the potential for water-crossings and steep, slippery tracks that need to be negotiated carefully. This all points to a 4WD as being the only choice for those who wish to experience the more remote (and beautiful) parts of Australia – you may need car loan to upgrade your existing vehicle . While the lure of a new vehicle with the latest mod-cons is all too real, try to exercise restraint and think realistically about both what you require and can afford. Seeking pre-approval for vehicle finance can be a good way to ensure you’re sticking within your budget, should you be looking to buy.  

In terms of motivation, diesel engines are still the number one choice for long-distance remote touring, due to better fuel economy than the equivalent petrol engine, and the availability of diesel in very remote areas. 

Then, you need to decide whether you go for a 4WD ute or a 4WD wagon and that choice is not always straightforward… 

The outback workhorse 

The 4WD dual-cab ute is probably the most popular option for serious and regular outback tourers. This is due to a number of reasons, starting with the fact these utility vehicles can carry a considerably heavier load than a 4WD wagon in the rear tray. That rear tray also adds always-welcome cargo storage space for travelling families: with the simple addition of a canopy (a hard shell that covers the ute tray) you gain copious storage space – far more than you will find in a wagon. Utes are built to lug heavy loads so are considerably robust, but they are longer and there are certain sacrifices you make if you opt for one. Chief among this is, even though they have improved immensely, utes do not offer as comfortable a ride for passengers as a 4WD wagon does. This is due to the firm rear suspension (usually ‘old school’ leaf-springs) that have to be quite stiff/firm so they can cope with those heavier loads. 

For families, the rear seat of a dual-cab (four-door) ute is, today, a better place to spend time in, but still not as comfortable as the second-row seating in a wagon, where most second-row seating these days can be tilted back for more comfort (a ute’s second row cannot). Still, a properly set up ute, with a spacious canopy that houses a cargo-drawer system for storing all essential gear, a fridge/freezer, auxiliary power setup, all your dusty camping gear, and further (light) gear loaded up on top on a roof-rack, makes for a formidable – and reliable – outback touring vehicle. 

Circle the wagons 

If you opt for a more comfortable 4WD wagon, you will have to work with less cargo space and a lower maximum payload figure (the legal amount of weight a vehicle can carry). But you will gain more security for your gear in the back, that aforementioned additional comfort for the kids, and a more supple ride overall, thanks to the use of coil spring suspension all-round (rather than the firmer leaf-spring rear suspension found on a ute). You will, as mentioned, have to pack more cleverly – and with that payload figure always in mind. As an example, most popular large 4WD wagons these days (think: Toyota’s LandCruiser or Prado; Ford Everest; Isuzu MU-X) have payload figures around the 600-650kg mark, compared to a ute’s 900-1000kg. Add a set of sturdy cargo-drawers, fridge/freezer, roof-rack, bull bar and driving lights, camping gear, food, water and yourselves to a 4WD wagon and you will soon be close to that maximum payload figure. (Some 4WD wagons do have higher payloads – the Land Rover Defender, at 850kg-plus, is an example.) 

To ensure you can fit in  all of the right camping gear , look for lighter-weight equipment, i.e., instead of two heavy canvas swags or a big canvas touring tent, look at lightweight alternatives (hiking tents, for example). There’s a tendency to throw every accessory on a 4WD but this is often overkill. A good example is cargo drawer systems. These are very handy, but you can set up a similar storage system in the back using robust plastic boxes that are lighter – you just have to make sure it ‘works’ effectively in terms of being able to reach and unload essential camping gear quickly once you arrive at your destination. 

Vehicle essentials 

For those contemplating an outback trip of, say, a couple of weeks or longer, there are a few accessories that will considerably enhance the overall experience. Here are our top five. 

Fridge/freezer. These are brilliant. Running it off a portable power pack or an auxiliary battery system – or a portable solar panel setup at camp, means your food stays fresh and your drinks cold. If you can fit one in, a dual-compartment fridge and freezer unit (one compartment runs as the fridge, the other a freezer) is the best option.  All-terrain tyres. Nearly all 4WD wagons and utes come with road-biased tyres, due to the fact that even the most prolific outback travellers will still spend more time on the road. An all-terrain tyre features more robust construction and a chunkier tread pattern to ensure optimum traction on slippery or muddy surfaces. Plus, the thicker sidewalls increase protection against staking/puncturing.  Tyre repair kit. These are invaluable. Easy to use, a tyre repair kit can mean the difference between being stranded and getting back to civilisation.  Aftermarket suspension. For those who will spend considerable time on rough tracks, an aftermarket suspension setup is worth the price. These are designed specifically for rougher road surfaces and are stronger and more effective at providing a comfortable and safer ride.   Driver training. Modern 4WDs are very easy to drive on the road – no different to a regular car or station wagon – but if you intend using them for what they are designed for, we thoroughly recommend a 4WD driver training course. You will learn just how your vehicle works off-road (and why), and also how to drive to challenging conditions. 

Planning sure does pay 

For this writer – and I am sure for most adventurers – poring over a series of maps is an integral part of the trip planning process, regardless of your destination. With a focus on remote outback travel, having access to a number of maps – and accurate ones – is key to effective trip preparation*. The reasons are many and include the obvious of seeing where your destination is, in relation to where you’re starting point, along with giving you a great overall ‘visual’ of the country you will be covering in terms of access tracks, refuelling points (whether in towns, Aboriginal communities, or likely fuel drop-off/caching points), whether there are any water sources in the region, and – of course – the total distance of the route/track you will be following.  

*While online mapping websites are great when you’re at home, they can be unreliable once you’re out of mobile phone range. There are many GPS mapping solutions; consider, too, going “old-school” with physical paper maps.

Large area maps are your best starting point (think: Hema’s excellent  Great Desert Tracks maps ), and from there you can move down in map scale and also start using digital mapping (websites and/or apps and GPS units). The key consideration here is how you’re going to navigate when out of mobile phone range and in case of an emergency. 

Some, but not all, of Australia’s deserts are comprised of both national parks and Aboriginal-owned land, and one of the first checks you do need to do is that based around any  essential permits  you may need to traverse these lands. Most states’ national parks and the various Indigenous land councils have online permit systems that are, generally, pretty easy to access and fill in. Some permits may take longer to acquire than others, though, so bear that in mind and make sure you give the relevant authorities plenty of notice of your travel dates. By doing this it allows any communication to and from regarding your trip plans to be undertaken, thus ensuring the relevant authorities know exactly where you are – and how long for. As an example: this writer had a potential Arnhem Land trip quashed years ago after gaining approval from the Traditional Owners thanks to plenty of transparency in communication, only to have it stopped by a tie-wearing office-bound bureaucrat in Darwin. Just sayin’… 

Never run dry 

With the distances and remoteness of Australia’s deserts, planning for a trip here involves accounting for a number of unique factors, starting with one of the essentials: fuel usage for your vehicle – and yourselves.  

Think of some of the longer desert tracks in Oz, such as the 1619km  Canning Stock Route (CSR)  or the 1324km Anne Beadell Highway, and you soon realise an accurate estimate of fuel consumption is crucial to a successful and safe adventure. As most know, any vehicle will use more fuel when driven on unsealed surfaces. Add in the mechanical effort needed to push a two-tonne-plus vehicle through sand and you will need to factor in far heavier consumption than ‘normal’. If you have a hungry vehicle at the best of times, perhaps now’s the time to look into upgrading to something more economical for on-road so your off-road fuel costs aren’t ever higher. 

This would also be a good time to check on maps and/or any online resources as to the longest distance between re-fuelling points. As an example, the distance between fuel points on the CSR is a heady 977km, necessitating the planning of a fuel drop or two. Some travellers (mostly, but not exclusively), will have the capacity to lug the required amount of fuel – usually in jerry cans, sometimes in addition to a fitted aftermarket long-range tank – but that will depend on your vehicle’s load-carrying capacity. The temptation is to put jerrys up on the roof-rack, but the additional load up high does affect vehicle handling. You will need to check not your roof-rack load capacity, but the manufacturer’s maximum permitted load for the vehicle’s roof. You might be surprised how little that burly 4WD wagon of yours is legally allowed to carry up top. An alternative to roof-stored fuel is to fit an aftermarket rear bar that incorporates twin jerry-can holders (or, a single jerry holder and spare wheel carrier). 

The other liquid essential on any desert trip is water. And by this we mean not only having enough water on-board for keeping everyone hydrated, but for other essential activities, such as cooking, washing up, personal hygiene and potentially having to top-up vehicles’ radiators. Again, distance (and amount of resupply points) plays a part in estimating how much you will need, but we’d recommend at least 20 litres per day, per person. Yep, that sounds a lot, and it soon adds up in terms of weight and eating into your vehicle’s load capacity. However, in this instance, it’s best not to quibble. A further tip that applies to both water and fuel storage is to ensure your jerry cans/containers are in excellent condition and that you don’t store all the liquid in one or two containers. If the unfortunate does happen and it springs a leak, you could lose a significant portion of your water/fuel supply – something to be avoided anywhere, but especially in arid country. 

Perpetual motion 

Safe outback travel  means having a vehicle that is set up for the conditions and in tip-top mechanical condition. This is one of the first things that needs addressing as you plan your dream escape. A full going-over by a mechanic who specialises in outback travel prep is a must; checking for suspension (and tyre) wear and tear, as well as ensuring all the hoses and fitments in the engine bay are in robust condition and that all accessories are securely – and correctly – fitted, will mean you have already significantly reduced the chances of breaking down. The next step will be for them (and you) to draw up a list of essential spare parts that you will need to carry in the event that something does break – and this may still happen regardless of how ‘new’ the fitted parts are; the desert, in particular, is unforgiving. We’re not all accomplished bush mechanics (tip from this writer: travel with one if you can!) but more basic repairs, such as how to plug a punctured tyre (yep, a puncture-repair kit is another must-pack), should be within your skill-set if you plan on spending time in remote areas.  

One near-essential is a second spare wheel/tyre; rough tracks can be murder on even the toughest tyres. Even though tyre plugs can work miracles, if you tear a tyre sidewall, the plugs don’t work; having a second spare brings additional reassurance and ups the safety factor when you are, literally, many miles from anywhere. 

Driving through desert country usually means negotiating myriad dunes and these are often taller/deeper than your vehicle. Fitment of a sand flag is non-negotiable as it assists any oncoming traffic being able to see you, thus avoiding a head-on collision. Packing specialist sand-recovery gear – on top of your normal recovery kit, which should include snatch straps, shackles, ropes, gloves, tyre levers, jack, etc. – is another must. A set (or more) of Maxtrax offers great insurance for those driving over sandy tracks. These are very robust and also very easy to use. Plus, they don’t weigh much, offering excellent recovery bang-for-bucks.

The final piece of the vehicle puzzle is an effective communication setup. Not only does a reliable UHF radio (or  Satphone ; this is more for any emergency situation, as is a Personal Location Beacon) ensure you’re never totally stranded if the worst-case scenario eventuates; being able to call on the channel occasionally to see if there is any other traffic approaching helps reduce further the chance of a vehicle-on-vehicle incident.

Speaking of which, it goes without saying that at least one, but preferably more, of your expedition crew should have the latest Remote First Aid training – and a comprehensive First Aid kit should be packed. 

Outback basecamp 

Nothing beats pulling up in the middle of the desert in the evening,  cooking up a storm  and enjoying a few cold drinks as the sun sets over the dunes. That sounds like a dream scenario but, as long as you have the required remote power requirements to keep the lights glowing and the fridge cool, you’ll get to enjoy that dream-like outback dining experience every night on your outback adventure.  

It does all come down to power. To this end, it’s worth expanding your regular off-road power options, such as a dual-battery setup or portable power pack, to include portable solar panels. These are relatively cheap, reliable and pretty much a standard inclusion on outback travel equipment lists. With the outback touring season usually the time of clear days – every day – being able to set up solar panels at camp renders the question of reliable power moot. There are myriad solar panel systems available, so you will need to research what suits your particular requirements. Also worth tackling is a course on basic auto-electrical repairs – or at least having some knowledge of how your vehicle’s auxiliary power setup works in case you have to troubleshoot power-related problems.  

Travelling with a portable fridge means you will be able to keep food fresh for a decent amount of time in the desert. Making it last longer is possible by selecting a  fridge/freezer combo unit , where a portion of the fridge is a dedicated freezer. Another trick to ensure fresh grub for longer is to get your local butcher/food supplier to cryo-vac your meat. By vacuuming all the air out of the container, the use-by date of meats in particular can be extended significantly.  

Don’t forget you’re on outback time 

One thing often forgotten in the dreaming, researching and final planning of the big outback adventure is just how much time it can take. Driving in sand, especially, is where you need to balance momentum and patience, and also where you need to realise it will take longer to negotiate numerous dunes than it would to traverse a long, straight outback road.  

Even though the actual distance between two points may be ‘not that long’, driving in soft sand, having to perform the occasional recovery, and stopping to take in your surrounds, all takes time – and makes for the perfect excuse not to rush. There’s no reason you can’t stay at, say, Camp 15 on the Madigan Line for more than one night (and same applies to that speccy campsite at  Cape York ), as you’ve spent months and lots of money planning and prepping to get yourself out to a destination few people will ever experience, so make sure you allocate enough time to soak it up properly. After all, you’ll be on ‘outback time’, in a place that has seen thousands of years of Indigenous inhabitants and a few hundred years of explorers traversing it. We’re sure it – and you – will cope with spending a little bit of time out there…   

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How To Explore the Australian Outback: Red Centre Way Itinerary

Last Modified: August 23, 2023 //  by  Anda //   17 Comments

The great thing about Australia is that although most of its regions have been highly urbanized, you can always visit the Australian Outback to take a breather. When you feel like you want to get away and explore the wilderness for a little while, you can always count on the open spaces and the picturesque natural locations of the Outback. 

Table of Contents

How to Explore the Australian Outback

Alice springs, finke gorge national park, uluru and kata tjuta, kings canyon, tips on traveling the australian outback.

One of the most recommended road trips in Australia is the the Australian Outback in the Red Centre Way. It is all about mountain ranges, desert plains, and Aboriginal sacred sites. In this article, we will talk about some of unmissable locations and experiences at the Red Centre. 

The best way to explore the Australian Outback is no doubt on a road trip. You can either do it by car, rent a camper van , or if you feel more adventurous, do it on a motorcycle . There is nothing like feeling the wind in your hair when riding a Harley! 

Australian Outback Destinations

The first stop on the Red Centre Way itinerary is Alice Springs, a place that should be on any Australia bucket list . You can visit the Araluen Arts Centre to look at a collection of Aboriginal art or check out Aboriginal rock art at the Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park. Then you can choose to drive around, or simply hike or bike to the Simpsons Gap where a sacred waterhole is located.  

You can also see Australian evergreen trees called Ghost Gums around the Simpson’s Gap, take a scenic walk to Standley Chasm, or get a cool view of the Serpentine Gorge from above the cliffs.

Afterwards, you can make your way to the West MacDonnell Ranges where you can visit the swimming holes of Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Redbank Gorge, and Glen Helen Gorge. If you want, you can pitch a tent by any of these swimming holes and spend a star-filled night before going to your next location.

You can also visit the Fink Gorge National Park, which is home to 458 kilometers of rare plant species that can only be found in the park. Be sure to check out the Fink River, towering sandstone cliffs, salt pans and beautiful mountain ranges.

Here, you can also see the remarkable desert oasis of Palm Valley. This is the only place in the world where you get to see the very rare Red Cabbage Palms, a tree that was a remnant from the time when Australian Outback was wetter.

Uluru is one of the Australian landmarks . Also known as the Ayers Rock, Uluru is a sandstone monolith in the Red Centre. It is considered sacred to the Aboriginals and is thought to have formed 550 million years ago. The reason why you should not miss Uluru is that it changes colors at sunrise or sunset, glowing hot red in the Northern Territory. No wonder it gained the name of Australia’s most natural icon .

During your visit, you can also swim in the tropical pools of Garden of Eden and check out the rock domes of the Lost City . The flora and fauna is also something that will amaze you. Aboriginals would often inform you about the rare plants endemic to the area. The ambiance of the place makes you feel like you are in a different world.

Within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you can also visit the 36 red-rock domes of Kata Tjuta, also known as Olgas. There are bushwalking trails you can follow if you want to spend a couple of hours hiking the area.

Take one last trek to the rim of Kings Canyon where you can see amazing views of the gorges of Watarrka National Park. You can also check out the cattle or camel station at the Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge on Kings Creek Station. Don’t forget to visit Tnorala, a 20 kilometer wide comet crater that is special to Aboriginal people. It is believed to be 140 million years old.

Afterwards, you can cap off a long Red Centre Way tour by relaxing and enjoying gourmet meals at the Kings Canyon Resort. These red rock formations me a lot about the scenery of Sedona, Arizona , There are activities such as helicopter flights or quad bike rides if you want one last look of the rugged bluffs in Kings Canyon.

When you decide to go forward with this trip, remember to research the areas first. The whole trip might take 4 or 5 days, so you might want to look for accommodation in each of the locations or prepare camping equipment. If you are going camping, pack light but make sure you have the following with you:

• Non Perishable food (for when you have cravings and there is no restaurant near you)
• Extra clothes (pack more than what you will need)
• Extra money (for food and other purchases you want to make)

And make sure to drive a vehicle that can take the changing terrains like a caravan, a 2WD, or a 4WD. The Australian Outback is not an easy place to visit, despite driving your own caravan or 4WD to roam around the vast land, the travel can be long and winding.

You need to have the right equipment , enough food and survival gears to be sure that you’ll enjoy your visit. The Outback in the Red Centre Way can be challenging but it is one of the experiences that you will forever be thankful for doing.

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

September 6, 2021 at 9:30 am

As an Aussie, I have not yet visited ‘The Dead Center’ yet. It is on my bucket list. Nature is my thing, I did 1. Great Barrier Reef. dived there, beyond belief . 2. Canarvon Gorge in Qld. (the Aboriginal paintings are exquisit). 3. Tasmania , very good. lots of history & friendly people. 4. Nullarbore Plain, S A.big bugger, not much there. A sign says “if you are crook (sick) come to Cook ( very small town) trying to save it’s Hospital.

Maria Mitchell

November 21, 2018 at 11:12 pm

Amazing places and beautiful photos, I hope to see these places soon when I visit Australia.

August 5, 2018 at 7:43 pm

I am planning on visiting the wonderful country of Australia this year, and I am really looking forward to it after seeing these beautiful photos you shared with us.

Agness of eTramping

August 26, 2017 at 9:38 am

Wow! These places are simply breathtaking and amazing destinations. Which ones would you choose as a great place for hiking?

Michelle | michwanderlust

August 25, 2017 at 8:49 pm

Loved this post and stunning photos as usual! As I travel more / get older (not sure which of these is to blame), I find myself being drawn more to the countryside and away from the cities. Australian cities aren’t very high on my priority list, but I’d definitely visit the outback just to see that amazing scenery you’ve outlined!

Ruth | Tanama Tales

August 25, 2017 at 8:04 pm

There are so many gorgeous places in Australia’s Outback. Not sure if I am going to make it there one day but I can dream about it. I think I will have to conform with the red tones of our Southwest (I can not complain about that).

Anda Galffy

August 27, 2017 at 2:17 am

Yea, I hear you Ruth. I believe our Southwest areas are equally beautiful.

Lydia C. Lee

August 25, 2017 at 7:06 pm

Really want to visit – not been yet, can you believe?!

Mary {The World Is A Book}

August 25, 2017 at 5:24 pm

What a beautiful area! We’ve been to Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef area but have missed this unique area. Uluru has been on the wish list for some time.

August 25, 2017 at 1:55 pm

We love caravan road trips! We drove 3 weeks from Sydney to Cairns and the part we enjoyed the most was the less inhabited places. We would love to go on a trip to the red centre, just the 24hours flight hold us back

August 30, 2017 at 1:19 am

I agree, There. A 24-hour flight would scare me too, especially with two small children.

August 25, 2017 at 1:32 pm

I can’t agree more! I loved travelling through the red centre of Australia, such stunning scenery. For us Dutchies it was so spectacular as we were never that far removed from the sea before!

August 30, 2017 at 1:24 am

Hahaha, I hear you, Esther. Thanks for dropping by this weekend.

August 25, 2017 at 1:01 pm

I’ve not been to Australia but whoa – fantastic photos! And it’s on my list, isn’t it on everyone’s? Looks wonderful!

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

August 25, 2017 at 5:00 am

Uluru is also known as ‘Ayers Rock’ not Avery Rocks. It is a stunning natural sight and not just because it appears to change colour with the changing light. One thing you haven’t mentioned is that it is extremely hot in the centre of Australia in summer so it is sensible to go in winter.

August 30, 2017 at 1:46 am

Hahaha, I wrote ‘Ayers Rock’ but the computer turned it into ‘Avery Rock’ without me noticing it. Thanks for pointing that out, Lyn.

Rhonda Albom

August 24, 2017 at 7:38 pm

I have visited quite a few of the major cities and some of the coastal areas of Australia but have not gone too far inland. It is a vast wilderness and your photos make it enticing.

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The best places to visit in the Australian outback

24 February 2022

When it comes to the ultimate tick-list of outback attractions that absolutely everyone should stand in awe of, it doesn’t get more spectacular than this.

The great Australian outback takes as fact that you’ll be back. That once you stride out into this sunburnt country and see it in the right light, you will love its frayed edges, its roads that run like ribbons sewn into the Earth, and, of course, its characters, which are its main currency.

Outback attractions

The kimberley, wa.

Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art and wildlife, swim in remote waterholes, and explore cavernous gorges in one of the oldest, largest and most rugged wilderness landscapes in the world, located in Western Australia’s north-west corner.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta, NT

While the Base Walk at Uluru mesmerises most first timers here, the Valley of the Winds walk is a must-do when visiting the magnificent red monoliths of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. After completing the 7.4-kilometre trek, check into Longitude 131° to ogle Uluru from your luxury tent.

Visit, or revisit, Uluru.

Bungle Bungle Range, WA

Trek deep into the heart of Purnululu National Park on a guided walk that threads between the iconic red-and-black sandstone domes of the Bungle Bungles in WA’s north-west reaches.

The Nullarbor, SA + WA

The Nullarbor is the longest, straightest and flattest road in Australia. Put the pedal to the metal on this celebrated stretch of asphalt and you will likely see camels, kangaroos and emus along the way. Plan for a pit stop at jaw-dropping Bunda Cliffs, the longest line of sea cliffs in the world, to see whales in season.

Nullarbor means “no trees” in Latin.

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, NT

Fly in by helicopter, take a cruise or embark on a walking trail to see the cliffs of Nitmiluk Gorge all aglow on the navy side of sunset, amid the dramatic escarpments of Nitmiluk National Park.

Sunrise over Nitmiluk Gorge.

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges, NT

Wild swimming is a lo-fi way to appreciate the Northern Territory’s outback, and there is ample opportunity to immerse yourself in wondrous swimming holes here, many of which are protected by the imposing shoulders of the West MacDonnell Ranges along the iconic Larapinta Trail.

Kings canyon, NT

Walk the Rim Walk to truly understand the scale of the wonders the landscape here possesses. Our tip: set out super early to see the sunrise paint the sky in pastels hues.

Broken Hill, NSW

Discover the art of Pro Hart at the gallery dedicated to one of Broken Hill’s Brushmen of the Bush. The town’s creative side is also on display at The Living Desert Reserve, dotted with 12 sculptures that rise up out of the red dirt.

Sun setting in Broken Hill.

Coober Pedy, SA

The opal capital of the world is famous for its lunar landscapes, labyrinth of underground hotels and shops, and the tangerine-tinted outcrops of Painted Hills.

Ikara/Wilpena Pound, SA

The Flinders Ranges is South Australia’s largest mountain range, and Ikara/Wilpena Pound (top right) is the sunken natural amphitheatre at its centre. Anchor yourself at Rawnsley Park Station, which offers eco- luxury to camping under the stars, and be enveloped in the theatrical beauty of it all.

Wilpena Pound is South Australia’s largest mountain range.

Longreach, QLD

When it comes to encapsulating the pioneering spirit that contributed to making Australia the country it is today, Longreach is it. The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience and Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame are must dos.

Wolfe Creek, WA

The focal point of Wolfe Creek Crater National Park, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia some 150 kilometres from Halls Creek, the Wolfe Creek Crater is the second largest meteorite crater in the world. In a country with so many fantastical sights, the almost perfectly circular crater, which measures 880 metres across and is believed to have been created 300,000 years ago, largely flies under the radar. Long known to the local Aboriginal people as Kandimalal, yet only documented in an aerial survey of the area in 1947, according to WA’s Parks and Wildlife Service, the meteorite that left the brutal scar on the landscape here probably weighed in at more than 50,000 tonnes and would have been travelling at 15 kilometres a second.

The Wolfe Creek Crater is the second largest meteorite crater in the world.

The greener side of the outback

Mention the Australian outback to just about anyone and the mental picture instantly conjured is tinged a rich pindan orange. It’s an iconic vision, but the fact is there are large swathes of what is recognised as outback that are actually lush and green. Needing no introduction is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, where the wet-season rains saturate the expansive landscape (it’s roughly half the size of Switzerland) painting it in varying shades of deep green.

In the 46,000-hectare Finke Gorge National Park, two hours’ drive from Alice Springs, the verdant Palm Valley is an oasis of some 3000 adult palms and thousands of juvenile trees. Visit from April to September to beat the relentless summer heat, all the better to undertake the two-kilometre Arankaia Walk (it takes roughly one hour) or the five-kilometre Mpulungkinya Walk, both of which skirt palm-strewn valleys, and to better appreciate the landscape that famously inspired Albert Namatjira, who was born and raised in nearby Hermannsburg. Elsey National Park, another Northern Territory area big on greenery, is a must for wild swimming lovers, with the palm and tree-fringed Bitter Springs the perfect place for a dip. In Queensland, those looking for respite from the harsh outback conditions should head for the still-little-known Lawn Hill National Park, where the wide, cool waterway is lined with lush trees, and the fossil deposits of the Riversleigh World Heritage Site have been labelled one of the four most important deposits in the world by no less than Sir David Attenborough.

And, in South Australia, the Australian Arid Land Botanic Garden, with its views to the Flinders Ranges, features 250 hectares of arid land populated by trees, plants and flowers – as well as birdlife and mammals – that thrive in the outback’s characteristically harsh yet compelling environment.

Kakadu National Park is roughly half the size of Switzerland.

Stargazing in the outback

One of the true allures of the outback is its blissful remove from the modern world, allowing you to experience nature at its most unsullied and elemental. During the day that means uncrowded vistas and wide open spaces, while the inky black of an outback night promises attractions that are literally out of this world. Clear, cloudless skies and a lack of light pollution make stargazing in the outback a breathtaking proposition.

Looking up into the night skies anywhere in the outback promises a polka-dot blanket of celestial wonders, but there are a few destinations that take it to the next level, such as Warrumbungle National Park in NSW, the southern hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park where Sliding Springs Observatory is home to the largest optical telescopes in the country. At the Cosmos Centre in the outback Queensland town of Charleville, guides share the stories of Indigenous astronomy as part of the Universal Dreaming tour, while Alice Springs’ Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre’s astronomy tours point out planets, constellations, dark nebulas and the building blocks of new stars.

Marvel at the Dark Sky Park in Warrumbungle National Park.

An outback experience in Victoria

While there are stunning tracks of outback littered across the country, the general belief is that Tasmania and Victoria miss out when it comes to these evocative landscapes. And while we can’t really make a case for Tassie, with its rich, green interior and rugged coastline, Victoria is in possession of two small but impactful national parks where the vistas present decidedly outback. Murray-Sunset National Park, located on the traditional Country of the Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri peoples in the north-west of the state, is home to a stunning collection of pink lakes, including the star of the show, Lake Crosbie. Deliciously remote, exploring here takes in the islands of the Murray River, abundant bird and wildlife, jaw-dropping sunsets (as the name implies) and an ancient history that local ranger Damien Jackson, a proud Wiradjuri man, shares generously.

Meanwhile, Little Desert National Park in the Wimmera Mallee region is the traditional lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples (collectively known as the Wotjobaluk), whose presence through millennia is marked by scarred trees, shell middens, stone tools and oven mounds. Camping and bushwalking here is best done in late winter to early summer when the wildflowers are in bloom.

Salt lakes of Murray-Sunset National Park.

Outback pubs

Noccundra hotel.

This charming sandstone hotel, which has been serving beer since 1882, is the only surviving building in the outback township of Noccundra (population: 11) in south-west Queensland. The heritage-listed hotel has cold beer and donga (camp-style) digs for rent near to the Wilson River.

Prairie Hotel

This iconic South Australian pub has that quintessential quirky Aussie aesthetic that makes it the perfect pit-stop for road-trippers. The beer is brewed in-house at the iconic Parachilna pub, which is perched in the plains miles from anywhere.

Australia’s quintessential, most awarded outback hotel.

William Creek hotel

Established in 1887, this heritage-listed hotel is one of the most remote pubs on the planet, located as it is on the Oodnadatta Track in South Australia. The hotel offers the closest accommodation to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.

Birdsville hotel

It’s all hot pies and cold beers at the Birdsville (pictured right), which bills itself as ‘Australia’s most iconic outback pub’. Base yourself at the south-west Queensland pub to visit the Waddi tree and soaring sand dunes or attend the Birdsville Races.

Lap up a true outback experience at the Birdville Hotel. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Outback events

Laura quinkan indigenous dance festival, cape york.

Held in the remote Queensland outpost of Laura, this biennial, three-day festival is a riot of colour and culture as some 20 different Cape communities gather to share stories and histories through music, song and spectacular traditional group dancing. The next festival, overseen by the Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation, the trustee of the traditional lands of the Ang Gnarra people in and around Laura, is scheduled to take place from 7–9 July 2023.

Catch an Indigenous festival, including the Laura Dance Festival. (Credit: Elise Hassey)

Parrtjima + Alice springs beanie festival, Mparntwe/Alice Springs

Ancient traditions meet New-Age technology to spectacular effect at Parrtjima (parrtjimaaustralia.com.au), the celebrated annual festival of light (pictured below right). Over 10 days, works by Aboriginal artists are transformed into mesmerising light installations and projected against the imposing 300-million-year-old backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges. The 2022 event will light up the Central Australian night sky from 8–17 April. Alice Springs is also home to the delightfully quirky Beanie Festival (beaniefest.org), with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists gathering together to celebrate the humble beanie. This year’s festival will take place at Araluen Arts Centre from 24-27 June.

Big Red Bash, Birdsville

There are three things in Birdsville that everyone knows about: the iconic hotel, the annual race meeting and the Big Red Bash (above right), a three-day extravaganza of Aussie music held in the breathtaking surrounds of Munga Thirri National Park (Simpson Desert). Proudly boasting to being the most remote music festival in the world, the tyranny of distance doesn’t stop crowds from flocking to see some of Australian music’s biggest artists, including the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers and Kate Ceberano on the 2022 bill, scheduled to take place from 5–7 July.

A birds eye view of the Big Red Bash Festival, Birdsville.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Having been established in 2007, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), held on Larrakia Country, has gone on to become the country’s largest and most significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts event. With more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres in attendance, representing more than 2000 artists, DAAF also boasts a program of cultural events including artist talks, dance, music, food and the hugely popular Country to Couture runway show (below left). And the best thing about DAAF is that it gives art lovers the chance to buy Indigenous art in an ethical and responsible manner, with 100 per cent of the money raised from the sale of artworks (both at the show and as part of its new online program) going directly to the artists and their communities. The 2022 fair will take place from 5–7 August.

DAFF is the country’s largest and most significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts event.

The Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash

This is the country’s newest outback festival, and in 2022 it will be held twice – from 21–23 April and 18–20 August. From the organisers of the Big Red Bash, the action takes place on the Mundi Mundi Plains with the Barrier Ranges in the background. The line-up for the family-friendly, all-ages festival includes Paul Kelly, Ian Moss and John Williamson in April and Busby Marou, Jon Stevens and Daryl Braithwaite in August.

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The Ultimate Australian Outback/ Northern Territory Travel Itinerary

They say you haven’t been Down Under until you’ve been to the Outback , and after recently finishing a two week long Northern Territory trip – I would completely agree with that statement!    

Known for its adventurous spirit, majestic landscapes, ancient Aboriginal history, and diverse Outback wildlife, the Northern Territory is a truly remarkable destination where travelers can see the real Australia for themselves.

I’ve spent a lot of time traveling around Oz, and it’s easily one of my favorite countries in the world. From working my way down the coast from  Cairns to Sydney , to road-tripping along the world famous Great Ocean Road, and taking selfies with native quokkas on Rottnest Island in Western Australia – I’ve explored many destinations that make this country a world-class tourism destination. 

So I was unbelievably excited when I got invited to explore the Northern Territory for a couple weeks, and finally experience the famous “Australian Outback”.  Take a read through my itinerary, browse through my photos, and feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about traveling through this unique destination!

Organized Tour vs Rental Car

The first question of traveling through the Outback…

When I traveled through the Northern Territory I was on a press trip with the NT Tourism board , so everything was fortunately pre-arranged for me.  If I was doing this trip on my own, I would be sure to pre-plan as much as I could before I arrived!

There are a huge number of tour groups you can book that head to the Northern Territory from all pockets of Australia, or alternatively, you can join one upon your arrival in the Outback. It’s entirely up to you. The benefit of traveling with a small group tour is that you not only have company, but everything is organized for you. It doesn’t matter if you overlook or forget something – everything is sorted out by the experts for you, and it usually works out to be much cheaper in the long run. You just have to sit back and enjoy the experience.

While group tours are perfect for many people, particularly solo travelers, others find a strict itinerary stifling or restrictive and would rather travel without these confines. Just remember, traveling in the Outback requires a fair amount of preparation and knowledge , and this remote area of the world can be dangerous.

Traveling with a friend or two is definitely better than traveling alone out here, and you can split the driving schedule between you – and the cost! There are many car rental companies with pick-up and drop-off locations in major locations within the Northern Territory. The best part is you can easily organize to pick up a car in Darwin, for example, and drop it off when you reach your location in Alice Springs. The NT is very well set-up for tourists, and should you need help, you can generally get it.

How you choose to travel through the Northern Territory is up to you. Just be safe, prepared and stocked up with all the essentials you will need if disaster strikes.

Now, on with my own NT experience…

Two-Week Northern Territory Itinerary 

Days 1-2: arrive into darwin.

Welcome to the capital city of the Northern Territory – the perfect place to begin your Outback adventure.  While it is the largest city  biggest city in the Top End, I think it still boasts a very relaxing small-town vibe .   Similar to most major destinations in Australia, Darwin has a very “liveable” atmosphere about it, which is something I’ve always loved about the country as a whole.

On this trip, I didn’t have all that much time to explore Darwin, but here are a few of the highlights which I think you MUST experience with if you have two days/nights to spend here.

Crocosaurus Cove:   Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with crocodiles?  Well, this is your chance! Even if you don’t want to enter the “ Cage of Death “, it’s still 100% worth a visit. They’ve got a really cool reptile area, a variety of marine life, and of course some massive crocodiles!  You can even meet “Bert”, the famous crocodile from the Crocodile Dundee films!

Explore the Darwin waterfront:   Whether lazing on its man-made beach, taking a whirl in the wavepool, or enjoying an evening out at one of the many restaurants or bars, no visit to Darwin is complete without thoroughly exploring the waterfront area. It’s very well maintained, relaxing, and can provide the perfect escape for the tropical humidity.

Visit fascinating museums:  Did you know Darwin was heavily bombed during WW2?  I had no idea before I visited, but there are some really interesting historical museums where you can learn all about it,  As well as The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory .

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets:  Unfortunately when I visited Darwin these markets weren’t open, as they operate from the last Thursday in April until the last Thursday in October. However, I’ve heard this is a true highlight of visiting Darwin and a chance to pick up some special treasures. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in town!

Where To Stay in Darwin…? 

Skycity Darwin Casino & Hotel: This is where I was fortunate enough to stay my first night in Darwin, and I would highly recommend staying here.  I was fortunate enough to have secured one of their patio suites that has direct access to the lagoon pool. It goes without saying, I thoroughly enjoyed that part in the intense Darwin heat. The entire property is gorgeous, the food was spectacular, and the rooms were unbelievably comfortable.    Read Reviews & Check Availability .

The Melaleuca – Darwin YHA Hostel –  For all the budget travelers and backpackers out there, look no further than booking a couple of nights at the Melaleuca. I’ve always loved staying at YHA hostels in Australia, and their Darwin location is one of the top-rated accommodation options in the city.  Rooms are affordable, the atmosphere is top-notch, and it’s perfectly located in the heart of the city!

Days 3-4: Kakadu National Park 

Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia and an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Famous for its ancient Aboriginal rock art, complex ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and colorful landscape, you could easily spend a week or two exploring Kakadu and still barely scratch the surface!  

Kakadu is definitely one of the major highlights of visiting the Northern Territory, and a region that I look forward to returning to in the future, since we only got to spend one day there due to a missed flight and subsequent forced itinerary change.

“Kakadu offers many experiences: bush walking, bird watching, cruising and swimming under waterfalls to four-wheel driving, camping, scenic flights and wandering through galleries of Aboriginal art 20,000 years old.”

Check out this article on the Top 10 Things To Do in Kakadu National Park for more information. It’s important to note that self-guided visitors are required to purchase a park pass to enter Kakadu National Park.  Passes cost $25.00 per adult, are valid for 7 days, and can be purchased online here .

While my time in Kakadu was limited, I loved checking out Nourlangie Rock. It’s home to some of the most famous and important Aboriginal rock paintings in the country and provides some epic views of the landscape.

I do think that the best thing you can do in Kakadu National Park is to book a 30/60-minute scenic flight with Kakadu Air .  While this activity isn’t for everyone (motion sickness and vertigo people should avoid), the aerial views of Kakadu are simply stunning. You can book a 30-minute scenic flight for only $150 AUD ($110 U.S.D), which I personally think is an amazing deal for this unforgettable experience. We ended up taking two scenic flights over Kakadu National Park (as they were charter flight transfers to Arnhem Land), and I would highly recommend it. It really gives you a bird’s eye perspective of how vast and unique this part of the world is!  

Days 5-7: Arnhem Wildlife Safari Adventure

Welcome to Australia’s Final Frontier…

Ohh, Arnhem Land — where do I even begin…?

Well, I guess I should start by saying that this particular experience staying at Davidson’s Arnhemland Safari Lodge was definitely my favorite aspect of the entire trip in the Northern Territory – and that’s really saying something!

After all my time spent living and traveling around Australia a few years back, I had somehow never heard of this remote Outback region.  I had no idea what to expect, but it really did leave a strong impression on me.

Everything from the scenic private charter flights we took to get there, 4WD Jeep adventures, mangrove boat rides, cozy glamping huts, delicious food, passionate tour guides, and starry night skies all made this experience truly unforgettable.

There’s a whole lot more I could say about this experience, but I’ll let my photos do the talking for me. While it certainly is an expensive adventure, it’s worth every damn penny. Trust me.

I really think that no trip to the Northern Territory is complete without booking a wildlife safari through Arnhem Land, but I understand that might be difficult for some, as it’s quite an expensive activity and not necessarily doable for those traveling on a shoestring. A round-trip airfare costs $500 AUD per person (leaving from Jabiru Airport), and the safari costs $900 per person/per night for this all-inclusive experience. Save up your hard-earned cash for this one!     

Days 8-9:  Katherine Gorge & Hot Springs

After arriving back from Arnhem Land, it’s time to make the long yet scenic drive down to the small town of Katherine. There’s pretty much only one reason to visit this tiny Outback town though, and that’s simply to marvel at the majestic Katherine Gorge, which is well worth the drive!

Before soaking up those gorgeous views though , make a quick stop at the Katherine Hot Springs for a refreshing morning swim. This place is as relaxing as it is beautiful, and the water could not feel any more perfect, especially amidst the harsh NT heat.

Important Note – The hot springs are typically open March/April through the end of the dry season (October/November)!  Make sure you do your research beforehand to make sure you can go visit them during your trip!

Katherine Gorge Lookout   

Now that you’re feeling all relaxed after a hot springs session, it’s time to put your muscles to work and hike to the peak of this stunning lookout overlooking a section of the Katherine Gorge.  The trail is a bit steep, and you’ll be sweating up a storm in the humidity, but it’s definitely a spectacular view and worthy of some envy-inducing snapshots to show the folks back home. Just be sure to wear your best walking or hiking shoes.

Katherine Gorge River Cruise 

Located in the Nitmiluk National Park, the Katherine Gorge is actually a network of 13 separate gorges carved out by the Katherine River. It has a deep significance for the local Jawoyn people , which you’ll learn all about during your 2-3 hour cultural cruise.

All I have to say is… WOW! This place is indescribable, and I definitely wasn’t ready for my time here to end. As our boat slowly cruised up and down the river, I was in a complete state of awe gazing up at the towering gorge walls surrounding us. It’s hard to explain, but Katherine Gorge is one of those places where pictures just won’t do it justice. Having seen it for myself, I now consider it to be one of Australia’s must-see natural landscape sites.

Since we traveled during the off-peak season, we only had access to two of the gorges, but I guess that just gives me a decent excuse to return in the future and experience this breathtaking location all over again.  I’d love to witness Katherine Gorge during the peak of the wet season, where the walls are awash with natural waterfalls.

Where to Stay in Katherine

Knotts River Crossing : This is where we stayed for our two-night stay, and it’ll provide everything you need for a comfortable stay.  While it may not be the fanciest or luxurious, it’s budget-friendly and has an awesome pool that will certainly come in handy. Also, the food (*cough* dessert) at the hotel restaurant is spectacular!  

Day 10: Edith Falls & Drive Back to Darwin

The next (and final) location I’d visit on this Northern Territory itinerary was Alice Springs, but that was a 14-hour drive from where I was, so instead, I headed back to Darwin and booked a flight instead.

On the journey back to Darwin, there’s a popular spot called Edith Falls, and it’s the perfect place to spend a day of hiking, exploring, and lots of swimming. It is super picturesque, and the water provides a much needed escape from the humidity of the Top End.

“The area is great for bushwalking with the 2.6 kilometre Leliyn Trail offering a challenging walk along a steep, rocky loop. There is a chance for a refreshing swim in the upper pool of Leliyn / Edith Falls halfway around the trail. You can also enjoy the longer 9 kilometre return walk to Sweetwater Pool, a tranquil swimming hole. Leliyn / Edith Falls is the finishing point of the 62 kilometre Jatbula Trail walking track, which begins at Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge).”  – Northern Territory Tourism

Our group was a bit short on time, so we only spent an hour around the Falls, but you could honestly spend all day there if you have the opportunity.  If you get up early enough, you could also hit up Litchfield National Park on the way back to Darwin – another amazing spot in the Northern Territory. I sadly didn’t get the chance to visit during my two week trip, but it looks unmissable.

Days 11-14:  Alice Springs

After a relatively quick, scenic flight from Darwin to Alice Springs (seriously, snag yourself a window seat for this one), we arrived in the heart of the ‘Red Centre’ of Australia, and the final destination on my Northern Territory Outback itinerary.

Window Seat Views flying over the Red Center

Located almost exactly in the middle of the Australia, Alice Springs is one of the most unique places in this huge country. Famous for its rugged natural beauty, fascinating Aboriginal history and its many outdoor adventure activities, a visit to this iconic Outback town should be on everyone’s Australian bucket list!

While it may be hot out there in the desert, and the flies can drive you close to sheer insanity, the experiences you can have here are worth every bit of it.

Here are just a few of my Alice Springs highlights…

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Sunset Experience

I’ve always had a fascination with kangaroos, so visiting this sanctuary in Alice Springs was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had in the country! We learned lots of fun facts about the animals, got to hold a couple cute and cuddly Joeys, and marveled at these adorable creatures bounce around in the beautiful golden light in the Outback.  

It’s basically a 188-acre wildlife sanctuary for rescued orphaned baby and adult kangaroos.  What most people don’t know, is that kangaroos are one of the most common roadkill animals in the country, and there can be alive baby joeys in their mother’s pouch when their on the side of the road. 

What this place does, under the leadership of the famous “Brolga” A.K.A the “mother of kangaroos”, is rescue these cute animals, and prepare them for life in the wild.  The sunset kangaroo feeding experience was one-of-a-kind, and is worth every penny!

For more information, head over to  The Kangaroo Sanctuary website for times and availability! 

The West MacDonnell National Park

Nestled just a quick one-hour drive west of Alice Springs , you’ll find the entrance to the West MacDonnell National Park. If you enjoy hiking and working up a sweat against one of the most beautiful backdrops imaginable, this national park that belongs to the well-known MacDonnell ranges is the destination for you!  

I had actually never heard of this National Park before visiting Alice Springs, and I was completely blown away from our one-day adventure out there.  This is the “Red Center”, and the landscape and scenery really is something special!  I was obsessed with the windy Outback roads, the desert colors, and the picturesque swimming holes!   

You absolutely can’t visit Alice Springs without booking a full-day trip out to these spots.  You could also rent a car and do it yourself, just make sure you visit key spots like Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge, and Ellery Creek Big Hole (pictured below).  

From Alice Springs: West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip  | Experience the best of the West MacDonnell Ranges on this full-day trip from Alice Springs. Marvel at the fiery red walls of the mountains in the desert sun, visit gorges and waterfalls, spot local wildlife and learn from your expert guide.

Simpsons Gap

Ormiston Gorge

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Uluru is one of the most visited natural landmarks in the world, and unfortunately, this particular trip itinerary was just too jam-packed for me to tick it off my wanderlust bucket list. Located within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this immense sandstone must-see is of particular cultural significance to the Aboriginal community and tourists are, thankfully, veering away from climbing it these days.

If you are heading to the Red Centre, there’s a number of companies that organize day and overnight trips to this Outback icon, including my personal recommendations:

Uluru: Guided Trek of Uluru’s Base in a Small Group : This six hour tour is a great introduction to Uluru, where you will enjoy a walk around the base, breakfast and a tour guide full of interesting insights and historical knowledge.

From Alice Springs: Uluru 3-Day Camping Tour:   If you want to make the most of your visit to this famous Aussie landmark, book in your place on this three day camping tour. You’ll also get to see the breathtaking Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta, as well as counting the millions of stars in the Outback sky from your sleeping bag.

The Town of “Alice”

Visitors are prone to overlooking the city of Alice Springs itself in place of visiting its surrounding natural wonders. But while Alice is often a pit stop for travelers on the road, it has its own unique charm that makes it a great place to spend some downtime. And with only 25,000 residents, it’s a cozy city with tons of room to breathe.

A few recommendations for what to see in Alice Springs:

Anzac Hill : The Anzac tradition is dear to every Aussie’s heart, and pays homage to those who fought and died for the country across many wars. This memorial offers a view of Alice Springs you can’t get anywhere else, as well as a chance to reflect in a peaceful location.

Alice Springs Reptile Centre: The Northern Territory’s biggest collection of reptiles call this centre home, including goannas, crocs, frill-neck lizards and thorny devil’s. With three daily shows, you’ll learn a lot about these native not-so-furry friends.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum : The RFDS is an Australian institution, providing critical support and emergency services to those living in rural or remote areas across the country. Visit where it all began at this Alice Springs museum, where you can see the original planes and radio equipment used in the early days of the service.

Further reading :   3 Days in Alice Springs Travel Itinerary

Where to Stay in Alice Springs

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs – Treat yourself in the Red Centre and experience the luxury of staying at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs. It’s local to both the CBD and Alice Springs Airport, has a huge pool to cool off in, gym, spa, dining options and the staff are extremely courteous and helpful. 10/10 would recommend.

Some important Northern Territory travel tips:

• Pack sturdy walking shoes.
• Mosquito repellant and a fly net are mandatory.
• Regularly apply sunscreen (that Outback sun is HARSH!)
• Pack breathable, natural clothing.
• Carry lots of water on you and in your vehicle.
• Don’t just pack for intense heat. Nights in the Outback can get pretty chilly, so definitely prepare for that.
• Understand that this is one of the most remote places on Earth, and amenities and services can be hundreds of kilometers apart. Carry additional fuel and supplies if you know it’s going to be a long haul between service stations.
• Read up on how to treat the local Aboriginal tribes and communities with respect while you are visiting their land. They are very friendly and accommodating people, and we all owe them the same respect back. Some understanding of their customs will go a long way.  
• If road tripping in your own vehicle, have a full car service before your trip. Breaking down without resources in the Outback can turn deadly fast. Plan and pack accordingly.
• Advise someone back home of your travel plans and check in regularly while on the road.
• Avoid driving at night. With local wildlife crossing the road in the dark, an accident could spell disaster.

Am I Missing Anything important on this Northern Territory Itinerary…?

The Australian “Outback” is a pretty massive place, and I feel like even after spending a couple of weeks out there, I still have a lot more that I need to explore in the future!  I’d love to hear from you guys if you have any hidden gems or other important places I should add to my list!!  

Be sure to follow along on my Facebook & Instagram pages as well for more of my adventures around the world!  

Planning a trip to Australia…?

I’ve spent quite a large amount of time down under, and my website is filled with awesome articles and travel guides just like this.  Check out a few of them below, and feel free to reach out to me if you ever have any questions!

• The Ultimate SYDNEY Itinerary | How to Spend 4-7 Days in Sydney
• The Ultimate MELBOURNE Itinerary | How to Spend 4-7 Days in Melbourne
• 14 Words You’ll Start Saying When You Move to Australia
• The Ultimate Guide For Moving To Sydney on a Working Holiday Visa
• Cairns – Sydney: The Ultimate Greyhound Bus Pass Itinerary
• 30 Music Festivals in Australia To Experience Before You
• The 5 Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
• The 14 Best Music Festivals in Sydney
• Top 10 Music Festivals in Melbourne

Thanks so much for reading my Australian Outback itinerary!

Share this article with your Aussie mates!

Disclaimer: I was an invited guest by Tourism NT to come and experience the Australian Outback and share my experiences.  As always, all opinions are my own.  

I’ve really been enjoying your posts Thanks for sharing such an useful Information

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How To Visit Australia’s Outback

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• Uluru-Kata Tjuta

Vast open spaces. Vibrant red dirt. Awe-inspiring landscapes.

Australia’s Outback may appear empty, but it’s teaming with life. Plants and flowers bloom from the dust, secret swimming holes beckon passerby, and kangaroos thrive in the dry heat. These are just a few things you’ll discover as you explore the Outback.

Once on the ground, it’s easy to understand why the aboriginal Australians’ ancestors settled in this stark environment some 50,000 years ago. Although it’s out of the way, a visit to the heart — both spiritually and geographically — of Australia is a must. The magic of Australia’s Outback truly leaves an imprint on anyone who visits.

While the Outback technically covers more than 70 percent of Australia , here we explore how to visit Central Australia’s Outback and some of its most iconic attractions.

Where Is Australia’s Outback?

Due to the size and scale of the Outback, it can be hard to pinpoint where it starts and ends.

Australians commonly use the term “the bush” to allude to natural areas outside of cities, yet the Outback is even more isolated. The general term Outback is defined as “the remote and usually uninhabited inland region of Australia.”

Australia is made up of six states and two territories, each with its own Outback. However, when people refer to the Outback, they are usually thinking of Central Australia — the red center and heart of the country and continent. The Outback is also home to the country’s iconic monolith: Uluru (Ayers Rock).

How To Get To The Outback

Central Australia’s Outback is in the heart of the Australian continent and features two main hubs: Alice Springs and Uluru. Australian’s sometimes joke that Alice Springs is the closest city to every beach in Australia. What they really mean is that Alice Springs is in the center of Australia, making it equidistant from all the coasts!

Although Uluru looks close to Alice Springs, it’s about a five-hour drive between the two places.

Getting To The Outback By Plane

Flying is the easiest and most time-efficient way to get to the Outback. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar are the main airlines servicing Central Australia.

Direct flights from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne are available to both Alice Springs and the Uluru (Ayers Rock) airport. The flight from Sydney to Central Australia takes about three and a half hours. Flights from smaller cities like Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane usually have at least one connecting flight.

Marc Witte / Shutterstock

If the Uluru (Ayers Rock) airport is your destination, the airport provides a complimentary shuttle for the 10-minute drive to Ayers Rock Resort. If you’re flying into Alice Spring Airport, you’ll have to arrange your own transportation.

Getting To The Outback By Car

Since there are great lengths between Outback points of interest, renting a car on the coast and driving it to the Outback is a great option if you have ample time and want to see as much as possible. The drive itself requires two to three full days.

Sydney to Uluru takes about 30 hours of driving along National Highway A87. However, from Adelaide or Darwin, it’s about a 16-hour drive to Alice Springs along paved Stuart Highway. If you’re not in a rush, this is a great way to see the stunning, unique landscape of the Outback. Having a car once you arrive in Central Australia also affords you more control over your daily itinerary. It can also be less expensive and more convenient than booking tour buses when you arrive.

When driving in the Outback be careful during dawn and dusk. During these times, kangaroos come out to feed. It’s normal to see them dart in front of cars, much like deer do in North America.

Getting To The Outback By Train

In the 1900s, travelers, provisions, and materials were transported between the coasts and the Outback by camel trains . In 1929, a steam train, The Ghan , substituted Afghan camel trains. The train now travels 54 hours between Adelaide and Darwin with a stop in Alice Springs.

The Ghan leaves Adelaide every Sunday on a two-day journey to Alice Springs. A luxurious experience, the journey is all inclusive with meals and drinks. Although expensive, this is a stunning way to enjoy the landscape without having to drive yourself.

Getting To The Outback By Bus

If you have time to get to Central Australia, but don’t want to drive yourself, book a seat on a Greyhound bus .

Busses leave from Darwin and Adelaide to travel to Alice Springs. The ride takes about 20 hours, but the seats are comfortable and there is a bathroom onboard. Since the journey includes a night, the price of the ticket ($200 to $300 AUD) saves you one night of accommodation.

Once you arrive in Central Australia you can rent a car or purchase a bus transfer to travel between Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Australia’s Outback Region?

Since Australia’s Outback is arid and dry, most people expect hot weather year-round.

It’s true that during the summer months (from October to March) outdoor activities are not advised after 10 a.m. Extreme heat is not always the case though. During winter (June to August), temperatures can dip as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

Summertime is also when the Outback receives the bulk of its rainfall. Although less than 12 inches of rain per year fall in the Outback, downpours do occur. Seeing the rain run through the landscape, creating waterfalls and filling up crevices, is an incredible experience.

wargunner / Shutterstock

To avoid the worst of the heat or cold though, the best time to visit is in fall or spring . From March to May and September to November, temperatures stay between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because these are the most popular times to visit, consider checking Australian school holidays to avoid peak family travel times.

What Is There To Do In The Outback?

Although the Outback may be sparsely populated, there is an incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, and history waiting to be explored. Whether you want to escape from the hustle of urban life or learn about the land’s aboriginal caretakers, the Arrernte people, here are the best ways to experience the magic of the Outback for yourself.

Alice Springs

While there are small towns around Alice Springs, the closest major city, Adelaide, is a whopping 825 miles away. With a population of 29,000 , Alice Springs is the second largest city in Northern Territory and the only city in the center of the Outback.

Originally a telegraph station, Alice Springs was founded in 1871 to connect communication between Adelaide and Darwin. The telegraph station still stands and is open to visitors. Once gold was found in the area, the city boomed.

However, Alice Springs is not a dreary mining town. Its red dirt landscape attracts visitors for its hiking trails, swimming holes, and natural rock formations. Take in its full beauty from above with a hot air balloon tour or explore on the ground by walking the 139-mile Larapinta Trail .

Make sure to visit Kangaroo Sanctuary , a rescue center that provides care for orphaned kangaroos.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a monolith in the middle of the Outback. Higher than the Eiffel tower , it’s a rock formation in the middle of Australia’s Outback that attracts over 300,000 people each year.

It might look tempting to climb Uluru, but it’s disrespectful to the local Anangu people. Not only is it frowned upon, but it’s also dangerous. Starting on October 26, 2019, the climb to the top will be permanently closed . Standing on top of the monolith prevents you from experiencing its beauty anyway! The best way to experience Uluru is to walk the 6.2 miles around its base.

While Uluru is best viewed at sunset, Kata Tjuta shines during sunrise. Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, is a cluster of 30 rock formations that are just as stunning to explore. A 45-minute drive from each other, both formations have designated platforms that provide optimal viewing spots . Consider spending the first half of the day, including sunrise, hiking through Walpa Gorge and the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta. Then, finish off the second half of the day with sunset at Uluru’s viewing platform.

A three-day park pass to enter both Uluru and Kata Tjuta is $25 AUD for adults.

Kings Canyon

Made popular by the movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert , Kings Canyon is about halfway between Uluru and Alice Springs.

Nestled in Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon is a hiker’s paradise. Enjoy beautiful outlooks onto the landscape from the 3.7 mile Kings Canyon Rim Walk . For a more immersive experience, consider walking the 13 miles from Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs.

Regardless of the hikes, make sure to wake up before dawn to watch the golden light wash over the canyon’s sandstone walls.

Cultural Experiences

The aboriginal Australians’ ancestors arrived in Australia 50,000 years ago . To put this number into context, Australia has only been a country for 118 years .

As the aboriginal people have lived on this arid land, they’ve cultivated a wealth of knowledge, traditions, and culture. There were once 250 languages and 600 dialects spoken by indigenous communities in Australia. Currently, there are only 145 languages left and 110 are considered endangered.

Maruku Arts

Both Uluru and Alice Springs offer aboriginal cultural activities. Experiencing a dot-painting class , attending a hunting weapon talk, or learning about Dreamtime is incredibly illuminating. These are some of the only places visitors can experience aboriginal culture in this way.

Other Things To Know About The Outback

Even when temperatures are mild, most Outback landscapes provide little shade. It’s important to stay sun conscious to avoid sunburn and heat stroke. Pack light, long sleeve shirts, plenty of sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and a hat.

In dry environments, it’s also good to keep in mind that water evaporates in subtler ways. Heavy sweating is less common, so don’t forget to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

With warm temperatures, there is also an increase in flies. Consider investing a few dollars in a fly net hat to wear while you hike. For evenings or early mornings, insect repellant for mosquitos and other bugs is highly recommended.

Photo Credit: pisaphotography / Shutterstock

Hailing from California, Vita travels the world, finding meaning and purpose in each destination, activity, and interaction, while inspiring others to do the same! When she’s not dreaming about the next destination, chasing golden hour, or dancing West Coast Swing, she’s most likely to be found documenting her travels and time spent living abroad in Australia on her blog, My Walk in the World .

The Outback – Answering Your Questions About Australia’s Vast Interior

The Outback is uniquely Australian. If you live in Australia or visit Australia, you can’t help but hear a lot about it.

It’s etched deeply into the Australian psyche… the image of a stockman on a horse, sleeping rough and living on his wits… the ingenuity and resilience of Aussie farmers, making do with what they have. Huge distances, drought, floods and hardship.

The “true” Australia, whatever that means.

This undercurrent runs strongly through us. It’s an image promoted around the world, a marketer’s dream. The tough Aussie Bloke, fiercely independent, cool under pressure and able to handle anything thrown his way.

The reality? Australia is one of the most urbanised and multicultural countries in the world!

Yet we cling to this imagery of who are. Maybe that’s why we wrap the Outback story around us so tightly. It’s a symbol of how we’d like to be… rather than who we really are.

But what is it? And where is it?

The thing is, there’s no easy answer. It’s more a state of mind than an actual place. So let’s try and clear up these questions… and cover off a whole lot more about the Australian Outback as we go.

By the way, if you have any other questions about the Outback, let us know in the Comments. We’ll do our best to answer them for you.

What Is the Outback of Australia?

Readers’ definitions of what the outback means to them, where is the outback, more names, more confusion, where is the australian bush, how big is the outback, why is the outback in australia unpopulated, how much of the outback is unexplored, why is the outback red, why is the outback dangerous, how hot does the outback get, why is the outback so dry, what animals live in the outback.

What “the Outback” means… hmmm. Well, it depends on who you are and where you live. Broadly speaking, the Outback is wide open spaces with no one else around. Hot, dry, dusty, remote and isolated.

But that’s a pretty broad definition!

One person might consider a certain location to be remote or isolated, but another might think it’s regional or “in the bush” (we’ll get to “the bush” soon).

If you’ve only ever lived in a city, you might think of the Outback as anywhere away from the cities.

For example, if you’ve lived on the East Coast of Australia all your life, you might think of anywhere over the Great Dividing Range as the Outback. By the way, you’d be surprised how many east-coasters have never been over the Great Dividing Range.

But if you live in a regional area, there’s no way you’d consider it as Outback. To you, Outback is somewhere out west… dry, hot, dusty and remote. No, you live in “the bush” not the Outback.

What if you’re from overseas? In your eyes, anywhere outside the major Australian cities could qualify as the Outback.

Imagine a European tourist landing in Perth, hiring a camper then heading north up the coast. Once they leave the suburbs behind, it’s pretty sparse.

Sure, there’s plenty of farming country. But to a newcomer, it’s a vast landscape of low scrub with hardly a soul to be seen. To an overseas traveller, this is the Outback for sure! But to locals, it’s not the Outback. It’s regional… rural farming country, the bush.

Now, what is the meaning of the word “Outback”? Where did it originate?

It started as a general term way back in the 1800’s, meaning somewhere beyond civilisation. Out the back of Bourke or out the back of Kalgoorlie for example. Hot, arid country with little water and generally hostile to humans.

Pretty quickly, “out the back” was shortened to “out back” and the term stuck.

Some people believe it originated in the U.S. They used outback to describe their back yard, as in “Let’s go sit out back”.

I’d say this is highly unlikely. It’s a completely different context. Plus, Australia was strongly influenced by the British rather than the U.S. back then. A U.S. term would have struggled to gain a foothold.

One of our subscribers Gerardus sent in his thoughts and observations of the Outback… what is means to him. Here’s his thoughts (I’ve edited it slightly, without changing the meaning and intent).

I am 72 and have travelled  Australia with my military carrier, then when I retired at 60 I found the real outback.

• Where the population is less than 10 people over 10,000 square kilometers.
• A place where you see wild animals like you would see cattle and sheep in the farming communities. A place where wild animals are as curious as you the traveller is, and come in to have a closer look.
• The outback has no tarred roads , very few signs to tell you which way to go, a place where, if you are not self-sufficient, you will get into trouble.
• A place where you need to carry as much fuel as you can, have a truck load of spare parts and another set of tyres.
• A place where if it rains 2 mm you will get bogged, a place where the bulldust gets inside your undies :),  a place where wild flowers will completely amaze you.
• The emptiness, no cars, no hoons, the odd aeroplane or small helicopter.
• The farmer with whom you can spend a whole day just talking of where you have been and being advised of what could lay ahead.
• A place where ,when you can find some station who will sell you fuel at over $2.00 a litre and quite understandably so.
• A place where the water in the lake is too salty to drink.
• A place where the first people still hunt and live as they did thousands of years ago.
• A place where if you want to travel you DO NOT GO WITHOUT AN EPIRB.
• It is not a lonely place, the people who live out there are not to be feared like in the populated areas where you will get robbed, and will get hurt.
• A place with clean unpolluted air. Wide open skies with a gazillion stars to see at night time.
• A Place where one can see (if they are lucky) the strange phenomena of Ball Lighting.

I could write a book about the outback, about adventures that most people only dream about. About the time I got involved fighting fires for a fortnight to save a property owner’s house and livelihood (these people stayed in touch with us for years later).

Yes I still travel there, to the outback, and stay there for weeks at a time, always looking for a different area, somewhere where few have stood on the ground. Somewhere  where you find honest, friendly, trustworthy people. Somewhere where the silence is deafening.

That is the outback to me.

I love the outback and hope to be around for many more years to see many more new places. One lifetime is not enough to explore this beautiful country.

What a brilliant description! Thanks again Gerardus.

Here’s another one from Ian. I especially love the first line…

To me its the ultimate reality check.

A place where self reliance is number one.

To sit around a campfire and gaze at the millions of stars and realise that each one could be a planet like this, is a humbling experience.

There is nowhere on earth like the outback, it a place of two extremes, one of extreme beauty, the other extreme harshness. I always enjoy the privilege of visiting it.

See more excellent thoughts and ideas about the Outback from our readers, in the Comments at the end of this article.

Again, there’s no simple answer. It’s a matter of perspective.

Some people define the Outback as the desert country of Australia. Is the Outback a desert? Well, by definition a desert is a hot, dry region with less than 250mm (10 inches) of annual rainfall.

The word “desert” conjures up endless sand dunes stretching to every horizon, shifting and forming huge dunes as constant winds push the sand across a bare landscape… a landscape similar to the Sahara Desert.

Yes, many Australian deserts have sand dunes. But the vast majority are stable and covered in vegetation. Technically, the Nullarbor Plain is a desert because it averages way less than 250mm of rain per year. But there’s not a sand dune in sight!

The Kimberley right up at the top of Western Australia is definitely in the Outback, but there’s no way it’s desert.

To say the Outback is the desert country of Australia simply isn’t accurate.

In some ways, Outback is a state of mind. Australia has a narrow strip of arable country down the East Coast and hooking around the bottom into South Australia. And there’s a few other pockets like South-West Western Australia, around Darwin or along the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range for example.

But the vast majority of the Australian inland is arid, hot and forbidding to the unprepared traveller.

This map will give you a rough idea of where the Outback is in Australia.

Not everyone will agree with our definition. Like we said earlier, just about everyone has a different idea of what and where the Outback is.

But at least the map gives you some idea of how much of Australia is considered to be Outback.

If you’re from overseas, now you might understand why Australians look at you with a bemused expression when you innocently ask, “How far is the Outback from Sydney?”

If you’re just starting to figure out this whole Outback thing, well done! Strap yourself in though, it’s about to get even more confusing…

It seems Aussies like creating names for just about anything.

Somehow, we’ve ended up with a whole lot of vague regions which our state’s tourism commissions like to massage and stretch to suit their agendas.

The Top End vaguely describes an area roughly encompassing the Kimberley and northern parts of the Northern Territory… except most of the time, the Top End only refers to places in the Northern Territory.

The Red Centre most often refers to the red desert country north and south of Alice Springs (or “The Alice”), in a band across the Northern Territory from west to east… except when people sometimes include parts of Western Australia, South Australia and even south-western Queensland!

And while the Northern Territory calls the northern parts The Top End, cross the border into Queensland and it becomes Far North Queensland or simply FNQ… except when you move east, where it’s also referred to as TNQ or Tropical North Queensland.

And then you take all of these and discover they overlap parts of the Outback… depending of course on whose definition of the Outback you’re using.

Yes, it’s confusing! ?

Now are you beginning to understand why it’s so hard to define the boundaries of the Outback on a map?

The Aussie “bush” is another term with multiple meanings, depending on how you use it.

If someone “lives in the bush” or they’re “from the bush”, then they live outside of major cities. They might live in a town, yet they’re still in the bush.

Where is the Australian bush? Pretty well anywhere outside a city. But not necessarily…

Broken Hill’s a major regional city in far-western New South Wales. Most Aussies would say Broken Hill’s in the bush and that anyone from Broken Hill lives in the bush. Yet it’s a city…

And once again, it’s a matter of perspective. To someone in Brisbane, a person living in Dalby (a large rural town inland from Brisbane) lives in the bush. But someone living on a farm outside of Dalby, would say that same person lives in town!

Now to get your head spinning even faster, consider this. The tiny town of Birdsville in far South-Western Queensland is in the Outback. But it’s also in the bush.

So someone living in Birdsville is from the bush, often referred to as a “bushie”… even though they live in the Outback.

What does this mean? It means the Outback is in the bush, but the bush isn’t always in the Outback. Phew!

Like the “Outback”, the “bush” means different things to different people. Regardless, the term “bush” has a definite rural feel to it. Anyone who lives on a farm or a station lives in the bush. By extension, this usually includes towns or even cities servicing those rural areas.

And… it has another, different meaning.

The Australian bush also describes our natural forests, usually eucalypts. Any forest – no matter how big or small – can be called the bush, even in cities.

Someone’s house might back onto a creek, which has a 10 metre wide strip of trees between their back fence and the creek. Aussies would call that “bush”. They might walk their dog in the bush every afternoon or go for a walk in the bush, for example.

Then one weekend, those same people go to a national park which is covered in an enormous eucalypt forest. It stretches as far as the eye can see in every different.

Yep, you guessed it… that’s “the bush” too!

Anywhere that’s covered in trees, bushes and undergrowth qualifies as bush. Size doesn’t matter. It could be half an acre or half a million acres.

Short answer? Bloody big!

See the shaded section in our map above? It covers about about 6 million km 2  (2.3 million square miles). Remember of course, this is a rough outline of where we believe the Outback lies.

Let’s put this into perspective:

• The USA covers just under 10 million km 2 . So the Outback is about 3/5 the size of the entire USA.
• Take Alaska out of the equation and the Australian Outback jumps to about ¾ of the size of the USA.
• Europe is also around 10 million km 2 . Imagine 3/5 of Europe as hot, arid country with just scattered settlements.
• 24 United Kingdoms (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales combined) would fit into the Outback.

So yes, the Outback is vast… roughly 3,500km across and over 2,000km from top to bottom at the widest parts. How many miles is this? Around 2,100 x 1,200 miles.

It’s not. The Outback is dotted with large cattle stations, mines of all descriptions, small settlements, towns and even a few small cities.

Perhaps a better question is, why is the Outback so sparsely populated? Simple answer. Because it’s hot, dry and arid.

Imagine you decided to buy an Outback station. To be profitable, you’d need a huge area of land. Stocking rates can be around one cow per 40 hectares (100 acres) or one sheep per 4 hectares (10 acres), sometimes even less.

Put another way, you need a patch of ground one kilometre long by 400 metres wide to run one cow ! And that’s in a season with average rainfall. In a bad year, you might have to de-stock altogether.

That’s why Australia has massive cattle stations like Anna Creek Station in South Australia. This one station is 24,000 km 2  (2.4 million hectares)… which by the way, is quite a bit bigger than the entire country of Wales.

In fact, all of the top 10 biggest stations in Australia are over 1.2 million hectares. That’s equivalent to a block of land 120km by 100km.

The other dominant industry in the Outback is mining. Australia has a huge variety of minerals, plus coal and gas. But mining doesn’t require many people these days and most mines now have their own accommodation, with the mine workers being FIFO (fly-in, fly-out).

Then there are aboriginal communities scattered all through the Outback. These communities obviously need the usual supplies… food, fuel, building materials and so on. But they’re generally serviced from larger towns or cites, often thousands (yes, thousands) of kilometres away. Just one road train is usually enough to keep them going for quite a while.

Then you’ll find towns like Newman in the Western Australian Pilbara which exist to service nearby iron ore mines.

Broken Hill in New South Wales is another. It’s both a mining town (a city, actually) and a vital service town for a huge area over 330km north to and beyond the Queensland border.

In short, most Outback towns are kept alive by farming, mining and tourism.

There’ll always be small pockets where no human has even been… perhaps in the most remote parts of the Kimberley in WA for example.

But Aboriginal people have been here for at least 65,000 years. They spread out and lived in all parts of Australia, including the desert country. It’s a fairly safe bet that in the span of 65,000 years, just about every nook and cranny has been visited by man.

And since white man arrived, pastoralists took huge swathes of land for agriculture. Then came mining, which means on-going exploration in even the most remote parts of the country.

So despite its vast size, by now the Outback has been pretty well “discovered” and explored thoroughly. After all, we’ve had over 65,000 years to explore it…

The iconic red colour of Outback Australia is caused by iron oxide in the soil. As the iron is exposed to air and water, it rusts and turns a deep red colour.

As a rule of thumb, the darker the colour, the older the soil is.

However, the Outback’s not only red. It’s full of colours, subtle hues which combine to make the Outback a spectacular place. For example, you’ll come across regions of white-grey sand or soil.

These are generally caused by large bodies of water somewhere close. After big rain events, water accumulates in normally dry lake beds. The water leaches out the iron from the soil, removing the red colour. Then when the lakes dry out, wind blows the sand and soil across the landscape.

A good example of this is at Lake Pinaroo in New South Wales . Another is Paruku (Lake Gregory), in the desert country of North-East Western Australia.

The Outback is only dangerous if you’re unprepared.

How dangerous is the Outback? It can kill you within hours if you’re unprepared . If juicy stories of murders in the Outback spring to mind, then you’re about to be disappointed.

The danger’s not crazy blokes with guns who supposedly torture then kill backpackers for fun. While they make a good story, these horrible events are extremely rare.

Heat is what kills… and the dehydration that follows.

Never underestimate the Outback. A combination of not being prepared, isolation and heat can turn a small problem (like a flat tyre) into a life-threatening emergency within hours .

We’ve put together several articles on how to prepare and travel safely in the Outback . They’re packed with simple tips on how to best prepare for any Outback trip.

With careful preparation, you can be relatively safe in the Outback. 

Related Resources: Download “Our Top 13 Tips For Travelling in the Outback – A Traveller’s Guide” from our Free Resources page.

The other hazard is the massive distances, often on unsealed roads. It’s not unusual for a gap of 300km (180 miles) between service stations… often way more.

For example, the Burke Developmental Road in Far North Queensland is an unsealed road, often rough, washed out and corrugated. It’s over 560km (335 miles), with nowhere to re-fuel.

These massive distances regularly catch out overseas tourists and unprepared Aussies alike. Do your homework before heading off… check distances between fuel stops and be prepared for the unexpected.

Some Outback places can push towards 50°C in Summer. And the ground temperature can easily get to 75°C or even higher.

And there’s no relief.

You can’t retreat to a shady grove of trees. The air temperature and heat radiating off the ground make it feel like you’re getting slowly cooked from the ground up. In some ways, you are.

It’s difficult to convey just how debilitating this relentless heat can be. A simple task like changing a flat tyre can become a strenuous job in that heat. And you actually struggle to drink enough water to maintain hydration.

In stark contrast, overnight temperatures in Winter can drop to below freezing in the desert.

Why is the Outback so hot? Well, because of the huge expanse of arid land and the prevailing winds. In Summer, the dominant winds across Australia are from the west and north-west.

Remember, we’re upside down here… opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. So as you move north, it gets hotter.

Winds start out over the tropical oceans of the north, meaning they’re already warm before they reach the coastline. Then as the winds move across the continent, they pick up more heat from the sun-baked land. The heat builds and builds.

This heat can last for weeks on end. Eventually, relief will come when a strong weather system pushes up from the south.

We just spoke about Australia’s hot, dry winds across much of the continent. Well, they’re not exactly conducive to rainfall.

Plus, there’s no high mountain ranges all the way from the north-west coast of Western Australia until the Great Dividing Range down the eastern seaboard. So there’s little opportunity for moisture to build for a distance of well over 3,000km (1,800 miles).

So, how often does it rain in the Outback? Not very often. The most likely time is during the Northern wet season, between December and March. If a big system like a cyclone forms off the west coast, it may track across Australia. This could bring no rainfall or it could bring huge dumps of rain, flooding vast inland areas.

Rainfall is sporadic and unpredictable.

You and I might look across a vast shimmering plain of gibbers and think nothing could possibly live there.

But they do.

Better-known Australian species like kangaroos, dingoes and emus live wherever there’s some food and a water source. But in the places where there’s no water, you might be surprised to learn of the abundant species that survive in this extreme environment.

Remember, we’re talking about a humungous stretch of land with vastly different environments… from desert country to tropical wetlands, and everything in between. So it’s impossible to identify even a fraction of the species living in the Outback.

Instead, we’ll group them into a few categories.

There are the reptiles:

• Deadly venomous snakes like taipans and browns,
• Non-venomous snakes like pythons and blind snakes, 
• Large goannas like perenties and lace monitors,
• A huge range of lizards, from goannas all the way down to tiny, cute geckos,
• Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.

Frogs? A huge variety…  from those you’ll find in creeks and wetlands to burrowing frogs, which live deep in the desert sand and only appear after rain.

We’ve all heard of kangaroos and wallabies. But very few people are aware of a much bigger group of marsupials. Sadly, most have been driven out of their territory by a combination of:

• Agriculture,
• Land degradation due to over-grazing, land-clearing and rabbit/mouse plagues, and
• Feral animals.

We’re talking about little creatures like:

• Bandicoots,

…to name just a few.

Then there’s the native rodents. For example:

• Hopping mice,
• Forrest mice,
• Stick-nest rats and so on.

Feral animals are disastrous for native animal populations. Predators like cats, foxes and wild dogs (not dingoes) can quickly wipe out these small creatures.

Then they have to contend with feral rabbits, pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, camels and even buffalo… not to mention sheep and cattle. These creatures compact the soil, strip it of vegetation and can foul or destroy natural water sources.

In short, there’s a huge variety of animals living in the Outback… and we haven’t even mentioned birds and insects. The native ones have adapted some extraordinary techniques to survive and thrive in the extreme conditions of the Outback.

The Outback is an incredible place. Don’t fear it, respect it. As First Nations People rightly say, if you respect Country then it will look after you.

Despite the common perception of the Outback being a harsh and forbidding place, it’s actually extremely fragile. Far from being a free-for-all playground for overlanders and 4×4’s, it needs to be treated with care and respect.

Just make sure you understand the potential dangers first. Be well prepared, then get out there. It’s the best place on Earth!

P.S. If there’s something we haven’t covered, let us know in the Comments below.

Any questions or comments? Go to the Comments below or join us on Pinterest , Facebook or YouTube . Any errors or omissions are mine alone.

Go here for more Articles.

8 thoughts on “The Outback – Answering Your Questions About Australia’s Vast Interior”

Great defining article.. you’re ALWAYS spot on the mark.

How about the crappers who don’t bury it and cover the environment with loo paper.

Pedal to the metal..before Anna has a vision to lock you out.

Thanks! And you’re spot on about the loo paper, unfortunately. Cheers, Andrew

The country – the cleared and intensively farmed areas of Australia. The bush – the uncleared or farmed areas of Australia which have not been cleared at all or very much. The outback – it starts when facilities you expect become either sparse or non-existent. For me, as an Australian who traverses the Nullarbor regularly, it’s not the outback. But for someone who is about to travel it for the first time, Australian or from overseas, it’s definitely the outback. My outback has “holes’ in it, for towns and settlements, so Alice Springs and Katherine are not the outback – but a few kilometres out certainly is. Perhaps a better definition for me of the outback is “where people are pitted against the country and every human you meet has to be an ally and friend, when needed.”

Great definitions, thanks for your thoughts. We feel exactly the same about the Outback, regarding perspective. It depends on who you are, where you live and your knowledge of the country. Cheers, Andrew

When we live in WA, the outback is usually East for us, like a trip across the Great Central Road from WA to the East coast. Driving from Perth to Darwin doesn’t involve the Outback as there are sealed roads and towns ever 300 to 400 kms.

It’s interesting how different our definitions of the Outback are, depending on where we live. I think most people who didn’t live in Perth would definitely classify Perth to Darwin as the Outback, at least parts of it. Your comments show how difficult it is to define where the outback starts and finishes. Cheers, Andrew

When the roadsign says you are entering a remote area make sure you have adequate spares you think Maybe it’s just a bit harsh. But when you don’t see another vehicle for maybe five or six hours reality starts to sink in. The what if’s start to play on your mind. That’s what remote is! Safe travels.

That’s a great point. I know exactly the feeling you’re describing. And when you glance at the GPS and see you’re a tiny dot on a vast continent, it can be a bit unnerving.

Cheers, Andrew

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Simpson Desert Ultimate Guide

A trip to the simpson desert is the ultimate outback adventure. .

From my very first visit to the Simpson Desert back in 2002, I have been captivated by this deeply beautiful and moving place.

The feeling of hundreds of kilometres of dunes stretching out before you beneath an immense blue sky, where few people dare to venture is something you’ll never forget.

So on this page, we’ve put together an overview of this iconic desert, packed with information and links that you’ll need if you’re planning a trip into the Simpson.

The Simpson is made up of 1100 parallel sand dunes that run north-north-west to south-south-east.

Some of these dunes are 200 kilometres long, and tracks like the Old Andado, Colson or Hay River tracks have been made in the swales (the dips) of the dunes and run for tens of kilometres.

Far from being desolate, the Simpson is home to an incredible array of birds, animals and plants. In certain places like Purnie Bore , underground water bubbles to the surface and turns the desert into an oasis where life thrives.

The Simpson Desert is both beautiful AND challenging. If you’re thinking about exploring this magic place, you’ll need to be VERY well prepared.

Which is why we’ve created the Simpson Desert Ultimate Guide to help you start planning your adventure.

Quick Facts

Here are some BIG Simpson Facts:

• Area: 170,000 sq kilometres
• Fourth largest desert in Australia
• The Simpson has the longest parallel dunes in the world
• Some dunes are 200km long
• Estimated number of parallel sand dunes: 1100+
• The tallest dune is Nappanerica or Big Red. It’s 40 metres high!
• Annual rainfall ranges from 150-200mm
• Temperatures ranging from -2 Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius have been recorded

Where is it?

The Simpson is situated in the far north of South Australia near Lake Eyre, and extends north into the Northern Territory for almost 300km all the way to the Plenty Highway, and east into Queensland to Birdsville.

The Simpson Desert is BIG!

It takes up 170,000 square kilometres. It straddles three states: the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland.

There are no towns or cities in the desert ; only a hand full of Aboriginal Outstations in the north and north-west, and a few pastoral stations.

Click here to download a free location map

Want maps you can buy that show you all the Great Desert Tracks? You can find them here .

There are hundreds of kilometres between fuel, food and water stops on most of the crossings.

If you’re planning a crossing, you’ll absolutely need a well-prepared 4WD and previous 4WDing experience.

However, there’s also ways to experience the Simpson Desert WITHOUT needing to weeks to see it or advanced 4WDing skills (we’ll show you how below).

Getting there

Via the Northern Territory:

• Leave the Stuart Highway at Kulgera, and head to Finke, then drive to New Crown Station.
• Cross into South Australia near Charlotte Waters and head on to Mt Dare Homestead (located in Witjira National Park)
• Then, travel via Dalhousie Springs and Spring Creek to Purnie Bore.

Via Oodnadatta:

• Travel from Hamilton Station to Mt Dare or via the Pedirka Desert to Dalhousie Springs.
• From Dalhousie Springs, travel via Spring Creek then Purnie Bore.

Via Birdsville:

• Route 1: Travel from Birdsville along the QAA line to Poeppel Corner. This is a spectacular part of the desert where you’ll be travelling over some massive dunes! Going can be slow, so take your time and enjoy the trip!
• Route 2: Head along the Shire road which leaves the inside Birdsville Track southwest of Birdsville. Turn onto the QAA Line at the Big Red sand dune 33km from Birdsville and head west into the desert.

National Parks

Much of the Simpson is protected within four national parks (or conservation reserves), protecting a total of 54,338 square kilometres of land.

This sounds like a lot, but when you remember that the Simpson covers almost 200,000 square kilometres, this means that only a quarter of the desert is protected.

These national parks are:

• Witjira National Park
• Simpson Desert Regional Reserve
• Simpson Desert Conservation Reserve
• Simpson Desert National Park

Click on the links above to learn more about each park, how to get there, facilities, what to see and do.

The largest portion of the desert, which lies in the Northern Territory, is now Aboriginal Land, and you’ll need various permits to enter it.

One very popular track which travels through Aboriginal Land is the Hay River Track.

Permits for the Hay River Track are relatively easy to get are available via the Central Land Council. You can apply online here.

If you’re planning on crossing the Simpson Desert via any of the tracks which travel through South Australia, such as the French Line, the QAA Line or the WAA Line, you’ll need to purchase a Desert Parks Pass from the South Australian Parks and Wildlife Service.

Click here to download and purchase a Desert Parks Pass (link takes you to a SA government website). At the time of writing, the cost of the pass was $171.

Be aware that all national parks in the Simpson Desert are closed in summer, from 1 December-15 March.

That’s not a typo, either. Remember: in outback Australia, summer goes from December through March.

This is just a glimpse the Simpson’s history:

• The Lower Southern Arrernte, Wangkangarru and sometimes, Jeljendi Aboriginal peoples have lived in the Simpson Desert for at least 5000 years
• The Wangkangurru people maintained a series of wells in the east of the desert which allowed them to live permanently in the Simpson
• One of the first European (white) people to traverse the Simpson from south to north was David Lindsay in 1886
• Pastoralist ,Ted Colson, and Aboriginal man, Peter Ains, made a crossing of the desert from west to east and back again in 1936
• Cecil Madigan named the desert ‘the Simpson’ in 1929
• Madigan made his famous Simpson Desert Crossing in 1939
• In early 1960s, the French Petroleum Company made a series of exploration tracks which have now become magnets for 4WD enthusiasts
• The Simpson Desert Conservation Park in South Australia was the first reserve in the desert, declared in 1967
• The Simpson Desert Land Claim, heard in 2009, handed back 18,000km of land to the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of part of the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory

The Simpson Desert climate can be described as ‘arid’.

Its rainfall is low, averaging only 150mm per year. Weather is very hot in summer, but temperate in winter. Winter nights often fall below freezing.

In other words, the climate is one of extremes.

Temperatures average 36-39C in summer and 18-24C in winter. However, summer temperatures of 50C have been recorded!

Ranger colleagues have experienced temperatures of 50C during summer whilst camping at the Mac Clarke Conservation Reserve on the Simpson’s eastern edge, and have, unfortunately, had to sleep in them! We don’t recommend this!

January and February are the hottest months of the year.

July is generally the coolest month in the Simpson. The temperature can drop below freezing, and frosts occur on 50% of mornings.

This table shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures for each month.

Rainfall varies widely in the Outback, and the Simpson’s rainfall is one of the lowest in Australia.

The main influence upon rainfall is tropical lows and cyclones.

That’s right. If there’s a cyclone (a hurricane) in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, it might travel all the way down through the Red Centre to the Simpson Desert.

The Simpson Desert is at the absolute maximum extent of these tropical rain events. It’s also a long way inland, away from the ocean and there are no large mountain ranges to attract clouds.

Therefore, the Simpson Desert climate relies on the tail-end of tropical rainfall events.

Cyclones and other tropical weather patterns lose their puff as they travel south over the Tanami and Alice Springs, so predictably, the Simpson Desert’s rainfall is one of the lowest in Australia.

However, rain can fall at anytime in the Simpson Desert. Some years, no rain falls at all, whilst in other years (like 2010 -2011), there is widespread flooding!

It can also get quite windy at certain times of the year. Dust storms are infrequent, but do occur about 4 -5 times per year.

During October to March when it’s warmer, most of the winds come from the southeast.

In autumn (fall) and winter, it tends to be less windy.

However, like many parts of Australia, the period from October- December can be quite windy, although gales are rare.

Aboriginal people around Alice Springs often call this the ‘sickness’ season, as many people get eye, ear, nose and throat infections at this time of the year, which are thought to be caused by the wind.

When to Visit

May, June and July are the ideal times to visit.

In June and July, you can expect clear days with perfect blue skies, and temperatures of around 20C. The nights often fall below 0C (30F), so make sure you take plenty of warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag.

However, we have to say that there is nothing like a July night in the Simpson Desert, spent sleeping under the stars.

The best views on Earth of the Milky Way are to be found here! You won’t believe the number of stars you’ll see.

Maps and Guidebooks

In this section, we’ll recommend the resources we’ve found most helpful in our explorations of the Simpson Desert.

If you’d like to learn more about the history, exploration, flora and fauna of the desert, then The Simpson Desert by Mark Shephard is the ultimate book to read.

Unfortunately, Shephard’s very enjoyable book (it’s a must for all Simpson Desert fans!) is long out of print. Copies sell occasionally on Ebay and through book collectors at around $130 AUD.

However, if you live in Australia, you might be able to find it at a local library, or have your local library order it in.

Desert Tracks Atlas

Hema’s Great Desert Tracks Map Pack   is the ultimate outback track guide. As well as the Simpson Desert, it covers every desert track right across Australia.

However, its coverage of the Simpson is excellent. You’ll find lots of information on all of the tracks which cross the desert, what to take, how to prepare your vehicle, and an overview of the flora, fauna and cultural history of this fascinating place.

This is a large format, r4 map pack printed on specially coated paper to make it hard wearing. In other words, it’s especially suited to bumping along in the back of a 4WD across the desert.

If you are planning a trip to the desert, DO NOT leave home without this map pack.

In fact, we’d advise that you buy this book before you go to do all of your trip planning.

Whether you’re a ‘desert lover’ (AKA seriphile) or just someone looking for a serious 4WD journey, this informative guide with its easy-to-follow maps, is an indispensable companion.

Another of our favourites is Hema’s Simpson Desert Map .

Just like the Hema Desert Tracks Guide, Hema’s Simpson Desert Map is packed with must-know details.

You’ll find information on road distances, fuel stops, supplies and accommodation, GPS coordinates, info about track conditions, tips for driving, points of interest, notes about history, wildlife and Aboriginal culture.

The Simpson Desert really is a place that captures the heart. Make sure you visit some of the other pages in this section of the website for more Simpson Desert Facts.

The Ultimate Outback Australia Packing List (2024)

There are many great road trips to take through Australia, but an Australian Outback road trip is one of the best ways to experience the spectacular landscapes, unique wildlife and ancient aboriginal culture of Australia. 

When you plan your outback trip it is important to get your Outback Australia packing list right. Once you set off to travel Outback Australia, stores are few and far between if you have forgotten something!

So if you are not sure what to pack for a road trip to the Top End, or just want to be sure you don’t forget anything, this is the guide for you!

Our Outback camping checklist covers the outback essentials you need for a road trip through the Top End .

Whether you rent a 4wd camper, join a guided tour or take your own car, ensure you include these outback camping essentials on your packing list.

• 1 Outback Australia Packing List Table
• 2 Outback Road Trip Essentials Australia
• 3 Travel Bags For Outback Trips
• 4 Outback Road Trip Health and Safety
• 5 Outback Camping Lighting Essentials
• 6 Outback Trip Cooking and Kitchenware Essentials
• 7 Technology For Outback Road Trips
• 8 Outback Clothing packing list
• 9 Essential Shoes For Outback Camping
• 10 Essential Toiletries and Medication
• 11 Other Packing list Items To Consider
• 12 Outback Holidays FAQs
• 13 Before You Go
• 14 More Travel Gear Guides

Outback Australia Packing List Table

If you are short on time and don’t want to read the full article, below is a handy table where you can see the top Australian outback clothing and outback camping gear that we recommend below.

Read on to find out why these items (and plenty more items too) are Australian outback travel essentials.

Outback Road Trip Essentials Australia

Below we go into more detail about the outback camping gear you should consider for an outback road trip.

Travel Bags For Outback Trips

In addition to your luggage, which should ideally be a backpack or soft duffel bag that can be flattened and stored, there are a couple of other kinds of bags we recommend you add to your Australia road trip packing list.

Security bag

On any road trip one of the biggest challenges is where to store the important stuff when you are not with the vehicle – like passports, cameras, ipads, laptops etc.

It is super annoying to have to take everything with you every time you head out, which is why we recommend traveling with the Pacsafe Portable Safe .

Made of anti-theft mesh fabric and with a stainless steel locking cable, you simply put your valuables inside and attach the locked bag to any immovable object – in the car, in your hotel room or outside.

This is one of the best purchases we have made for our travels and is handy for outback road trips as many travel insurance policies do not cover tech gear stolen from inside a vehicle, even when it is locked.

The Pacsafe portable safe comes in a range of sizes from a small 5 L to a large 25L.

We have the 12L pack and it comfortably fits a laptop, ipad, SLR camera, headphones and all our passports and cards.

If you don’t have a laptop you could go for the 5L option which still fits an tablet.

Whether you are parked in a car park, campground or in the wilderness, your most important items will be securely stored in the vehicle.

>> Click here to check the price for the Pacsafe Portable Safe

Laundry Bag

Unless you are staying in a hotel or caravan park, there are few laundromats or even washing facilities to wash your clothes at most basic campgrounds.

Until recently we would just hand wash our clothes in a bucket, but now we travel with the aptly named Scrubba laundry bag .

This cleverly designed bag makes it easy to wash, scrub and rinse your clothes in an enclosed wash bag.

We own and love our Scrubba laundry bag .

There are raised bumps on the inside of the bag to help agitate the dirt out of your clothes and get them clean.

Better still the water is contained, so no sloshing about creating mud or mess around you when washing.

The Scrubba is not only great for road trips, we take it on international trips too and save on expensive laundry services.

It is perfect for regular washing of socks and underwear and can fit several t-shirts or shorts in each cycle too.

>> Click here to check the price for the Scrubba wash bag

A good day pack essential for hiking and getting out and about, plus they are useful to store your camera and other valuables in your car or van. 

You will need a daypack large enough to pack your camera, hats and snacks.

But it is also a good idea to have a smaller lightweight pack just for water, especially if you are planning to hike in the outback.

It is important not to get dehydrated when travelling in the outback and carrying enough water when hiking is one of our key  tips for a Northern Territory Road Trip .

We own and love the CamelBak HydroBak .

This pack is lightweight, has a small pocket for keys, sunglasses and a snack and includes a 1.5 litre reservoir.

It comes with a lifetime warranty too!

The HydroBak is a suitable size for older kids to use or for smaller kids this Mini Mule day pack is great too.

We recommend that you pack a small day pack for the kids as it really helps share the water load when walking to billabongs and hiking.

>> Click here to check the price and colour range for the Camelbak HydroBak

One of the highlights of a Top End road trip and Australian outback camping is swimming at the gorgeous billabongs.

If you are planning to kayak or swim whilst on your Outback Australia road trip, add a small dry bag to your road trip packing list.

These are great for keeping your camera, phone and wallet dry when you are out on or near the water.

They are also useful for storing wet swimwear in the car between campsites and for keeping your camera safe from leaking water bottles or reservoirs in your day pack.

We recommend the Sea to Summit Dry Sack .

Compact and light, they come in a range of colours and sizes. The 4L sack is big enough to fit your camera, mobile phones and wallets inside.

With a fully waterproof roll-top closure and coated fabric, they are an essential item for water activities.

>> Click here to check the price for the Sea to Summit drybag

Packing Cubes

We have traveled around the world and packing cubes are hands down the BEST way to store clothing when traveling. Especially when you have kids!

Not only do packing cubes make storing and finding clothes easy when moving each day, they also help compress clothes so they take up less space.

On our Outback Australia road trip we combined the packing cubes into one soft duffel bag that we could easily transfer into the tent each night.

We love these packing cubes thanks to the mesh top panel, dual zippers, colour range and range of sizes.

The mesh panel makes it easy to identify what is inside.

We recommend you choose a different colour packing cube for each person to help quickly locate your things and take one or two per person.

>> Click here to check the price and colour options

Reusable shopping bags

Most supermarkets in Australia have banned plastic bags, so we suggest you carry a few reusable shopping bags for buying groceries.

We love these shopping bags as they are insulated, collapsible and stand upright.

Essential at the supermarket, they also come in handy for storing shoes, swimwear, wet towels and even clothes in your car or van.

>> Click here to check the price for the insulated grocery bags

Read Next: Guide to the best road trip gifts

Outback Road Trip Health and Safety

When you are a long way from town, it is essential you pack road trip equipment to protect your health and safety.

If you are hiring a 4WD check your vehicle comes with a shovel, emergency beacon (EPIRB), jerry can, snatch strap and D shackles.

If not ask for them to be included. When taking your own vehicle ensure these are added to your packing list.

Physical Map

Internet and GPS access can be unreliable at times in outback areas and you don’t always want to use your phone charge all day as a map.

So a physical map is one of our outback camping essentials. We always carry a paper map of the area we are traveling to and strongly recommend you do too.

Hema Maps are a trusted source of 4WD and touring maps for Australia.

They offer simple paper maps as well as detailed touring guides and camp site guides.

The handy State Map series are great, with track details, camp sites and fuel stops clearly marked.

We highly recommend you purchase the Hema Northern Territory Map to plan and use during your trip.

>> Click here to check the price and see the map.

First Aid Kit

When you are hours away from the nearest town, a basic first aid kit is essential when traveling through Outback Australia.

You can make up your own kit or purchase one.

With all the basic first aid equipment you need for treating minor injuries in a compact carry bag, you can store it under the seat out of the way.

>> Click here to check the price for the First Aid Kit

Mosquito Repellent

While Outback Australia is thankfully free of nasty diseases like malaria and dengue fever, getting bitten by mosquitoes, sand flies, flying ants and who knows what else is still likely on a trip to Outback Australia!

We recommend you carry a good quality mosquito repellent and wear light weight long sleeved shirt and pants in the evening.

There are some areas of the outback with a serious mosquito problem and for that you need something more than mosquito repellent and we strongly recommend you pack the Thermacell Mosquito Repeller .

If you have read about our night staying in Ubirr in Kakadu National Park  you will know WHY we recommend this product!

Tried and tested, this is the only product we have found on the market that actually works to keep mosquitoes away.

Thermacell now have a range of different styles but I still like this handheld model as it is so portable and lightweight.

Important note: you cannot fly with the butane gas canisters that come in the kit, but refills can be purchased in many supermarkets and outdoor stores when you arrive.

>> Click here to check the price for the Thermacell

Water Filter Bottle

We found large containers of fresh water were always readily available in towns and recommend you stock up each time you pass through as many campgrounds do not have drinking water.

But if you are planning on hiking long distances or being away from town for long periods, it is worth considering a water filter bottle.

We own the Grayl Geopress and have used it in Australia and Sri Lanka to filter fresh drinking water and avoid purchasing bottled water.

It is very easy to use and can filter 700ml of water in less than a minute. It filters out 99.9% of waterborne pathogens, heavy metals, pesticides and sediment.

It is one of our best road trip investments yet and we love it.

>> Click here to check the price for the Grayl Geopress

Outback Camping Lighting Essentials

Pretty much all National Park campgrounds in the Northern Territory are unpowered, so you will need to take your own camp lighting.

Most 4wd campervan rentals come with basic outdoor lighting, but to be honest they are usually not sufficient for cooking or playing card games outside.

So below we have listed some great outdoor lighting to consider packing.

LED Camping Lights

A powerful LED light makes all the difference when cooking outside in the evenings when camping in the outback Australia. 

The Hardkorr LED camping kit is a great option to consider adding to your outback camping equipment checklist. They connect to your battery but don’t use a lot of power,

You can choose between cool, warm or orange light. They have a magnetised back for easy attachment to tents and vans and are waterproof too.

We use and love the Hardkorr camping light kit and can’t rate it highly enough.

We use two light bars with a dimmer when we are camping or on a road trip. One bar for the cooking area and one for the tent.

It isn’t cheap but you could do what we did and buy the 4 bar kit together with some friends and split the components up between you!

>> Click here to check the price for the Hardkorr lighting kit

While carrying LED lights is ideal, the most essential light to include on your Outback road trip packing list is a head torch.

To conserve space we travel with two head torches for 4 people. They are particularly useful for trips to the bathroom in the dark and for reading inside the tent in the evening.

We would go so far as to say you can’t really camp / road trip without a head torch as there are many times you won’t have power.

We even use them when heading out before sunrise or around sunset for walks to light the way.

These head lamps by Black Diamond have 350 lumens and two power settings with easy to use touch sensitive housing to switch between the settings.

They also have red night-vision and a compact design.

They are a great choice if you are looking for a good quality head torch for camping.

>> Click here to check the price for the Black Diamond headlamp

Read Next: Best Gifts for Camper Owners and Travelers

Outback Trip Cooking and Kitchenware Essentials

On our road trip through the Northern Territory we rented a 4wd camper . This vehicle came fully equipped with cooking equipment and kitchenware.

If you are considering renting a camper or even if you are taking your own vehicle, you will need to ensure you have these cooking essentials on your packing list:

• Gas stove and gas, cooking pots, kettle, fry pan, salad bowl, chopping board
• Large and small plates, bowls, cups and mugs
• Containers for storing food
• Knives, forks, spoons, vegetable peeler, sharp knife, egg flip, large cooking spoon, bottle opener, tongs
• Wash cloth, dish detergent, universal plug, tea towels, rubbish bags
• Laundry detergent and rope/pegs for a clothesline

In addition to these road trip camping essentials, there are a couple of extra items we always pack and recommend you add to your Outback Australia packing list:

Stovetop coffee maker

If you are like me and can’t get by without a daily coffee fix, don’t leave for your Outback road trip without a portable coffee maker.

There are many different brewers available and this article reviews the top travel coffee maker options. Our top pick is the Bialetti Moka Pot.

If you love fresh coffee we also suggest you pack a portable coffee grinder for the freshest cup of espresso. You can find the best manual coffee grinder options here .

Easy to use on any portable gas stove, the Bialetti Moka pot is virtually indestructible and make an excellent coffee.

They come in a range of sizes – the 4 cup is suitable for 2 people.

We love our little Bialetti and pack him every time we head off on a road trip.

>> Click here to check the price for the Bialetti Moka Pot

Swiss Army Knife

One of the most essential items to include on your Outback Australia packing list is a Swiss Army knife.

We have traveled with an army knife for over 20 years. They have so many uses from slicing to opening cans to cutting things and whittling things.

We love the Mountaineer as it has all the essentials you need when traveling.

>> Click here to check the price for the Victorinox Pocket Knife

Toast Maker

If you love toast for breakfast, this is one of the best camping accessories you can buy!

Whenever we road trip, this dude is in our luggage.

It sits atop your gas stove so you don’t need to hold it while it cooks.

It is especially handy when you have kids and you are cooking for 4 or more.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

Other kitchen items

Collapsible wash tubs  – save a load of space, which is a good thing in a 4WD camper.  They are great for washing dishes and clothes. Click here to see our top pick.

Refillable water bottles – one for each person. Environmentally friendly and essential when traveling to Outback Australia, a refillable water bottle is the easiest way for everyone to stay hydrated whilst driving and when in camp.

Technology For Outback Road Trips

Nowadays the electronics packing list is almost as long as the list for everything else!

We detail our essential travel electronics here and here . But in summary the essentials to add to your Outback Australia packing list are below.

Multi-Port USB Charger

Essential to keep all those devices you pack running, a multi port USB charger is essential to carry if you travel with a lot of tech.

If you have laptops and ipads you will need to pair this USB charger with a car power inverter to charge them effectively.

We share our favourite inverter in this article.

A multi port USB charger makes charging everyone’s phone and tech devices really simple.

>> Click here to check the price for the Anker USB Charger

A power bank is useful to carry when you are away from the car. Charge it when you are driving to each destination so it is ready to use when you arrive.

We own this power bank by Anker and it is great.

With a compact size and tough exterior (it has been dropped many times by the kids), we highly recommend this power bank.

>> Click here to check the price for the Anker Power Bank

Outback Clothing packing list

In terms of what clothes to pack for a road trip, the Top End enjoys warm weather all year round.

In fact as we were traveling in the dry season we didn’t even pack a rain or winter jacket.

Note : if you are traveling further south to Central Australia to visit Alice Springs and Uluru in Winter you will definitely need to pack a jacket, thermals, beanie and trackpants as night time temperatures are significantly lower than up north in the top end.

We like to travel light and to be honest, on a road trip there often isn’t a lot of space, so we suggest you try and keep your clothes packing list short!

If you plan to hand wash every few days you really don’t need to pack a lot of clothing.

What to Wear In the Outback?

When traveling to warmer climates, the best road trip clothes are lightweight, loose fitting, quick drying and offer good sun protection.

To give you an idea of what to pack, whether we travel for 2 weeks or 2 months, this is all the clothing we take for each person:

• 3 x t-shirts
• 1 x dress for the ladies/girls
• 1 x lightweight long sleeved shirt or top
• 1 x lightweight pair of pants with pockets
• 3 x socks (including 1 pair of hiking socks)
• 4 x underwear / 2 x bras
• 1 x summer pyjamas
• 1 x lightweight fleece/pullover
• 1 x swimsuit
• 1 x rash guard for swimming
• 1 x rain jacket
• 1 x winter gear (beanie, gloves, scarf, down jacket) – Season dependent

Clothing tips

When deciding what to pack for Outback Australia, our best tips are:

• Pack patterned or dark, lightweight clothing. It gets hot during the day and you won’t want to wear thick, heavy outback clothes.
• Avoid light coloured clothing – the red dirt of Outback Australia is unforgiving on light coloured clothing.
• A long sleeved lightweight shirt and lightweight pants are essential. They are great for evenings and mornings when it is a little cooler, for preventing sunburn and protecting against mosquito bites.
• Pack dark coloured socks. White socks will never be the same again after visiting Outback Australia!
• Don’t pack your best clothes. It is likely they will come home with a slight orange tinge that you can’t remove.

More Tips Here:  17 Essential Tips for a Northern Territory Road Trip

Essential Shoes For Outback Camping

At a minimum you will need a pair of closed toe shoes and a pair of sandals or flip flops on your Outback Australia packing list.

A third pair, river or water sandals, are a great option too.

Hiking Shoes

We prefer trail runners over traditional hiking boots as they are lightweight, can double as a pair of running shoes and provide good stability for day hikes. 

Salomon trail runners are great and we have all owned a pair of these at some point. See the Salomon trail runners here.

Merrell make great trail runners too and are what I currently own. See the Merrell trail runners here.

Waterproof sandals

If you are struggling for space these are optional, but we used sandals a lot on our 2 week Northern Territory Road Trip .

They were great for short walks to swimming holes, kayaking, they made scrambling over rocks easy and they can also be worn in the water.

Both our kids have Keens and we think they are one of the best waterproof sandals we have ever purchased.

Comfortable, robust and quick drying, we love our Keens and highly recommend them!

>> Click here to see the colour range and check the price

Flip flops 

We think these are essential (not surprising advice from an Australian!).

When I am not hiking, these are my go to shoes. Great for wearing around town, at the campsite and in the shower at campgrounds.

It is nice to get out of your hiking shoes when in camp, and we always pack flip flops when traveling in Australia.

Related: 14 travel accessories we don’t leave home without

Essential Toiletries and Medication

In addition to your regular toiletries and medication we recommend you include these items on your Outback Australia packing list.

50+ SPF sunscreen

Sunscreen is essential in Australia as the sun is much stronger than in USA and Europe.

We suggest you bring a 50+ SPF marine friendly sunscreen – not only will your skin thank you, so will the fish.

Menstrual Cup

This one is for the female travellers to the Outback. 

Menstrual cups take up very little room in your luggage, are a great zero waste option , are environmentally friendly and means you don’t need to be worried when the nearest store is hours away.

Easy to use and clean, they are a female travellers best friend! Click here to check the price.

For your tween or teenage daughter, these pants from ModiBodi are the best alternative to a menstrual cup for travel.

Sanitiser and Wipes

Hand sanitiser and baby wipes are essential for your outback trip as running water is not available at all campsites in the Top End.

So when you are trying to conserve your water supplies, wipes and sanitiser good alternatives for cleaning.

In addition to the Thermacell, a good bug spray is a must.

Mosquitos and bugs are common on NT and the Red centre, so you will need to apply when out and about, hiking, in camp etc.

Other Packing list Items To Consider

And here is all the other stuff! Some of our best suggestions for random items to include on your Outback Australia packing list below.

Inflatable surf mat

This may seem random, but an inflatable surf mat is one of the best things to include on your Outback Australia packing list.

Why? Well if you are not a strong swimmer, or you have kids who are still learning to swim, the surf mats make it much easier to swim across the waterholes, reach the waterfalls and cruise around looking for fun places to jump in from!

We like these Redback surfmats . They come in junior and adult sizes and are almost indestructable.

Light Weight Quick Dry Towel

Who wants to carry a bulky, heavy, wet towel around? For years we have used microfiber travel towels. 

Not only are they quick drying, they are absorbent, soft and lightweight.

The new designs are way better than the old ones which were more like a chamois than a towel.

Microfiber towels are perfect for a road trip or backpacking and you should ensure you include one on your Outback Australia packing list.

These ones are great and come in a range of colours.

Travel Cooler

If you don’t have an integrated fridge in your camper or caravan, a good quality insulated travel cooler is essential.

Food will not keep for long in the heat in your car without a cooler (commonly called an esky in Australia).

If you have the space a hard sided cooler is best and this one by Coleman is a great option..

Northern Territory Guide Book

Mobile reception is very patchy in the Northern Territory and a lot of outback Australia.

In fact we went almost a week without any reception at all!

So we suggest you carry a hard copy guide book with you to plan your trip along the way.

We have been using Lonely Planet for over 20 years and recommend them to every traveler. Click here to see the NT guide.

Finally don’t forget a lighter or matches for starting campfires which you can have in most national park campgrounds if there is not a fireban.

If you would like to download this packing list for easy reference later, click here to grab your free road trip packing list printable .

Outback Holidays FAQs

How cold is the outback at night.

The temperature in the Outback at night varies greatly depending on when and where you go.

During the popular winter months from June to August, night time temperatures north of Katherine all the way up to Darwin generally don’t drop much below 15 degrees.

However in Central Australia (Alice Springs and Uluru), overnight temperatures during winter can drop below 0 Celsius.

Are There Mosquitos In The outback?

Yes, there are mosquitos in the Outback and they can carry diseases such as Ross River and rarely, Dengue.

To reduce the risk of being bitten you should wear long sleeved clothing at dawn and dusk, apply insect repellent and consider using a mosquito deterrent such as the Thermacell .

Before You Go

So that rounds out our outback essentials packing list for road trips.

If you are stopping in Darwin, check out the top things to do in Darwin here .

And for all your NT itinerary planning, see our Northern Territory 2 week itinerary and our essential tips for a NT road trip .

You can read all our Australia Travel articles here or more travel planning articles here .

What have we missed on our Outback packing list for a road trip? Share your best road trip packing list Australia tips in the comments below!

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10 Things To Do In Australia On A Backpacker's Budget

• Australia offers budget-friendly hiking adventures in its stunning national parks, allowing backpackers to experience raw natural beauty without breaking the bank. Locations include the Blue Mountains and Grampians National Park. Cost: Free for visitors on foot.
• Embrace van life in Australia to save money on transport, accommodation, and food. Campervan hire can be much cheaper than traditional travel methods, with prices starting as low as $20 per day. Cost: Depends on the rental company, but can be as low as $20 per day.
• Immerse yourself in unique cultural experiences for free at Federation Square in Melbourne. Explore modern buildings, attend free festivals and exhibitions, and watch free movies. Location: Federation Square, Melbourne. Cost: Free.

Australia is a vast and captivating continent that promises adventure amid diverse landscapes and vibrant cities. Although it is true that Australia can be a pricey destination, backpackers on a budget might be surprised by the treasure trove of affordable experiences on offer.

Whether it's camping in the vast expanses of the Outback, attending free cultural events in major cities, or visiting the most beautiful parks in Melbourne , Australia offers a myriad of activities that won't strain a backpacker's wallet. Here are 10 things to do in The Land Down Under that are light on the pocket but won't compromise the backpacker spirit.

Related: 10 Essential Australian Experiences To Have When Visiting Australia

Explore Australia's Natural Wonders By Foot

Embark on budget-friendly hiking adventures.

Australia is filled with raw natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and dramatic landscapes. Luckily, backpackers on a tight budget can take in the sights without completely depleting their travel funds by embarking on some of the most beautiful hikes in Australia .

Traverse the breathtaking landscapes of the Blue Mountains and choose from one of the many hiking trails in the national park. In Victoria, hardcore hikers can attempt the multi-day Grampians Peaks Trail. Those looking to take on the entire 164 km trail can expect to pay $262.35 per person, but this price is dependent on two people sharing a tent. Backpackers on a budget will be pleased to know that many sections of the trail can be accomplished for free if they opt for a day hike. While in Victoria, avid hikers will also find Wilsons Promontory National Park. Located in the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, this is another fantastic free park that showcases Australia's diverse ecosystems.

Backpackers looking for laid-back hiking trails in Sydney can admire the beautiful coast during the Bondi to Coogee walk. This picturesque walk is 6 km long, and it goes past a few of Australia's most infamous beaches. Along the way, backpackers can stop for a dip in the sea and enjoy some refreshments at an ocean-front café.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Australia has a lot of superb national parks, and many are free for visitors on foot
• Location : Blue Mountains National Park (New South Wales); Grampians National Park (Victoria); Wilsons Promontory National Park (Victoria) Bondi to Coogee Walk (Sydney)
• Cost : Free for visitors arriving by foot

Savvy backpackers on a budget can enhance their Grampians Peaks Trail adventure by strategically integrating Kalymna Falls Campground , Plantation Campground , and Wannon Crossing Campground into their itinerary. No advance booking is required, and these grounds provide cost-free overnight stays. Check the website for any important updates on campsite or road closures.

Embrace Van Life

Live the van life dream and save on transport, accommodation, and food expenses.

Hiring a van could be a cheap option for backpackers who plan to travel to Australia for at least a month. Living out of a van could potentially cut costs on accommodation, transport, and even food. With a small kitchen on board, budget-conscious travelers won't have to rely on expensive restaurant meals.

Backpackers who enjoy being behind the wheel can hire a van from an established rental company, such as Britz, Spaceships Rentals, or Travellers Autobarn. Camplify connects people in need of a rental vehicle with RV owners. As the Airbnb of the rental vehicle world, backpackers can score a small campervan for as little as $20 per day.

On average, travelers can expect to spend around $157 per day in Australia. With campervan hire costing as little as $20, there is the potential to save $137 per day, which is over $4,000 over a 30-day period. Make a reservation outside of high season for the best prices.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Depending on the season and whether a long hire rental is required, hiring a campervan can be much cheaper than exploring Australia the traditional way.
• Pick Up And Drop Off Location: Britz - Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney Spaceships Rentals - Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Sydney and Melbourne Travellers Autobarn - Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
• Cost Per Day For Long Hire Rentals:

Britz – from $70

​​​​​​​ Spaceships Rentals – from $65

Travellers Autobarn – from $36

Although van life can certainly be a budget-friendly way to explore Australia, it is important to account for extra costs, such as petrol, campsite fees, and insurance and booking fees for the vehicle itself.

Discover Cultural Delights In Federation Square

Backpackers can immerse themselves in unique cultural experiences for free.

Federation Square is the cultural center of Melbourne, and it is an essential stop for any visitor to the region. Those with a penchant for architecture can appreciate the modern buildings in the square, such as The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and the Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI) .

Art aficionados can find plenty of events to keep them busy all year round. There are often free festivals and exhibitions to attend and free movies to watch in Fed Square.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Backpackers can delve into Victoria's cultural past and enjoy enriching experiences without breaking the bank
• Location : Federation Square , Melbourne, Victoria
• Cost : Fed Square plays host to a variety of free events. Check out the 'What’s On’ section of the website to stay in the loop

Related: 10 Ways To Travel Italy On A Backpacker's Budget

Go On Culinary Adventures At Local Markets

Visit local markets to feast on delicious dishes at affordable prices.

Backpackers on a tight budget can still savor the diverse flavors of Australia by exploring local markets. From the bustling stalls of Sydney's Paddy's Markets to the iconic Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, where a hot jam donut at the American Doughnut Kitchen costs just one dollar, there are plenty of budget-friendly culinary delights to relish.

Pho Street at the Cairns Night Markets is a fantastic place for backpackers to devour authentic Vietnamese eats, like a hearty Banh Mi or a spicy bowl of Bun Bo Hue. There are many things to do in Adelaide , and visiting the Central Market should be high on the budget-conscious backpacker's list. It is an established marketplace where hungry travelers can fill up for less than $10.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Foodies can enjoy varied and affordable meals at local markets instead of splashing out on expensive restaurants
• Location : Paddy's Markets (Sydney); Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne); Cairns Night Markets (Cairns City); Central Market (Adelaide)
• Cost : A filling meal can cost less than $10 at many local markets

Discover Australia's Underwater World

Snorkel for free at one of australia's many underwater destinations.

While Australia's first underwater hotel might not be out of the frugal traveler's price range, there are still plenty of ways one can enjoy the country's underwater world. Backpackers can dive into Australia's marine wonders on a budget by visiting one of the continent's many amazing underwater destinations with their own snorkel gear. Although snorkel sets can be hired from local equipment rental stores around Australia, it is cheaper for backpackers to buy the gear outright if they plan to snorkel a lot.

Those new to snorkeling can try to spot reef sharks, turtles, and rays in the stunning Turquoise Bay . Clovelly Beach is another fantastic place to marvel at vibrant marine life, while Jervis Bay boasts beautiful white sand beaches and clear, unspoiled waters. Hyams Point , also known as Little Hyams Beach, is home to colorful fish, including the vivid Blue Groper.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Backpackers with a love for the sea can add a budget-friendly dimension to their trip by using their own equipment to explore the Australian waters
• Location : Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia); Clovelly Beach (Sydney); Jervis Bay (New South Wales)
• Cost : Snorkel equipment can cost around $23 at sports stores like Decathlon

As with many places around the world, the waters in Australia can be unpredictable. Exercise caution and watch out for strong currents before going further out to sea. If in doubt, ask an expert at a water center nearby. They can give advice about the changing currents and offer information about the local marine life to look out for and what to avoid.

Free City Walking Tours

Discover australia's cities with a knowledgeable guide without spending a cent.

Unlock the secrets of Australia's cities with free walking tours. Join guides in Brisbane's cultural precinct, Sydney's historic Rocks district, or Melbourne's street art-laden laneways. These informative strolls provide insights into local culture, architecture, and history and are a great way to get to know a city.

Although these tours are advertised as free, tips are most welcome. I'm Free Walking Tours offers a range of tours in Sydney and Melbourne, while the Brisbane Greeters also offer a diverse range of tours that introduce visitors to the city's culture and architecture.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Free city walking tours are a cost-effective way to explore local culture and history on foot. Backpackers can receive the local knowledge of a tour guide but without the typical expenses
• Location : Sydney; Melbourne; Brisbane Check the official tourism website for other cities to see if they offer free walking tours
• Cost : Free (plus tip)

Ride The City Circle Tram

Take a free tram ride and delve into the rich tapestry of victoria's cultural history.

Explore Melbourne's history aboard the City Circle Tram , a free and convenient way to tour the city's landmarks. Passengers will uncover the tales of Old Melbourne while enjoying a cost-free tram journey.

During the 60-minute ride, the City Circle glides past iconic sites like Parliament House , Princess Theatre , and the Old Treasury Building .

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Riding the City Circle Tram is not only a free activity, but the tram also transports passengers to notable landmarks and allows them to hop on and off at 28 different stops
• Location : Melbourne, Victoria
• Cost : Free

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Parks In Melbourne, Australia

Go Camping In The Outback

Save on pricey hotel costs by camping under the stars.

The rugged scenery and ancient culture make the Outback one of the most incredible places to visit in Australia . Outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience the rustic charm of the Outback without splashing out should consider pitching a tent at one of the many campsites in this vast area.

From the surreal landscapes of Mungo National Park to the remote location of the Flinders Ranges , campers can choose from a number of unique areas to camp in the Outback. Camping under the stars gives backpackers a chance to get close to the raw beauty of Australia and offers an authentic Outback adventure on a budget.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Transportation and accommodation can be costly in the Outback. Backpackers can avoid these expenses by pitching a tent and immersing themselves in nature
• Location : Mungo National Park; Flinders Range
• Cost : Average daily rate for powered campsites is $50

Pack enough water! Backpackers should always bring spare water for their camping trip and research where the nearest reliable water sources are located. Savvy travelers can invest in a portable water filter to help create potable water wherever they go.

Visit The Australian War Memorial

Commemorate australia's military history at this free site.

Backpackers visiting the capital can gain insight into Australia's wartime sacrifices and contributions at the Australian War Memorial . Located at the top of Anzac Parade, this poignant site is free to enter and offers visitors a solemn, contemplative experience.

Backpackers can pay tribute to those who died in war and can learn about Australia's military history at the museum and archive. This site is run by volunteers who provide free daily tours for those interested in finding out more about the nation's wartime efforts.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: The Australian War Memorial offers free admission and free tours and is a notable landmark for any traveler's Canberra itinerary, especially if they are a history buff
• Location : The Australian War Memorial, Canberra

Watch The Southern Lights Dance—for free!

Witness one of nature's most enchanting phenomena completely for free.

Seeing the Northern Lights is a top bucket list entry for most travelers, but many have not heard of the Southern Lights. Lesser known and considered to be more elusive, the Aurora Australis can be viewed in the southern skies.

For a mesmerizing celestial display, head to Tasmania. There are plenty of affordable accommodations where backpackers can watch this enchanting natural light show without blowing their budget. There are several amazing spots to see the Southern Lights , with Cockle Creek and Bruny Island being excellent bases for this natural wonder.

• How It Helps Travelers Save Money: Apart from the cost of accommodation, backpackers don't have to pay a penny to watch the Southern Lights.
• Best Locations to see the Southern Lights: Cockle Creek ; Bruny Island ; kunanyi / Mt Wellington
• Cost: Free!

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Heartbreak Hill to the Great Ocean Road: six of Australia’s best marathons and fun runs

Weekend Runner Australia author Emma Kemp runs us through some of the country’s best long-distance races, taking in city footpaths, tropical islands, red dirt and windswept coastlines

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R unning season is here, and that means running festivals. Whether you’re a beginner hoping to enter your first short-and-sharp fun run or a seasoned racer seeking a longer, stiffer challenge, Australia’s calendar of events has something for everyone.

From tropical islands and the red dirt of the outback to the best on offer in the big cities, we have selected some of the most unmissable long-distance running events from around the country. This selection of extracts from the newly published guide book, Weekend Runner Australia, will help get you over the figurative start line – and then seeking more.

New South Wales – City2Surf

Where : Sydney CBD to Bondi When : 11 August 2024 Distance: 14km

Few things are more certain in life than death, taxes and Heartbreak Hill. The 2km incline up New South Head Road from Rose Bay to Vaucluse – about 6km into Australia’s most famous fun run – spares nobody’s soul. The term “fun run” is open to interpretation, depending on whether you are a serious competitor, an amateur or a walker. Whichever way you swing it, your legs will feel the burn at the midway point. If you actually look up from the top to appreciate the view, to your left you’ll see Sydney harbour in all its glory, including a peek at the Harbour Bridge.

With more than 85,000 entrants, this is the world’s largest fun run and, given that roads have a limited width, you feel the squeeze. Still, organisers have created staggered start waves ranging from the speedsters who pre-qualified to those with wheelchairs and strollers and those with service dogs. The course starts at Hyde Park under St Mary’s Cathedral and heads straight down the highway of William Street.

The route features no fewer than 25 entertainment stations, which far exceeds the number of water stations, and includes live music, DJ sets, food trucks and bars. Some get so distracted by all this that they don’t finish.

If you reach Heartbreak Hill and you’re wearing regular activewear, spare a thought for those doing the hard yards in furry animal costumes. Do not get beaten by someone wearing a gorilla suit; this is bad for self-esteem.

An especially welcome touch is the array of hoses spraying competitors with water to offset the morning heat. And once you have negotiated another small uphill through Dover Heights and rolled all the way down to the finish at Bondi beach, you can enjoy a day full of surf, sand and frivolity.

Victoria – Great Ocean Road Running festival

Where: Great Ocean Road When: 18-19 May 2024 Distance: 60km, 44km, 23km, 14km, 6km, 1.5km kids, 12km trail, 6.5km trail, 10km walk

So much of Australia’s surfable coastline can also be run. But to run perhaps the country’s most famous road (home to the dramatic Twelve Apostles, which rise up from the Southern Ocean) sets this event apart from the rest. This winding 240km stretch is about a 90-minute drive south-west of Melbourne. The event provides buses to ferry participants back to their respective start lines, which removes a potential logistical nightmare.

If you choose the full marathon, prepare for something longer – the “marathon” is 44km, which probably has to do with ensuring marathoners can start in the lazy coastal town of Lorne and finish at the lively Apollo Bay hotel. The “half marathon” is also 2km longer than a regular half, starting at Kennett River and finishing at Apollo Bay, while the 14km and 6km head inland. The last two are wheelchair accessible. There are nice touches at both ends, with free yoga classes, activities and entertainment. The reason everyone is here, though, is the in-between part.

The race sets off from Lorne Surf Life Saving Club; soon it’s forest to your right, beaches and rocky shoreline to your left. And lots of surfers, wetsuited to offset the autumnal chill. The ocean views are panoramic, and the road itself is well looked after and stable underfoot, so there is no excuse to let it pass you by.

The remoteness of the road means no spectators, and the relatively small field (in 2023, there were 9,350 registrations across nine events – the most in the festival’s 19-year history) makes this a comparatively quiet journey.

A tip: conserve energy on the hills. The whole course is undulating, but there are three bigger uphills at about the 7km, 22km and 25km marks. You will make up the time coming back down.

Western Australia – Busselton Runners Club bay run

Where: Busselton When: 8 February 2025 Distance: 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, 5km

Let’s go through the checklist. Flat and fast course? Check. Nice weather? Check. Holiday destination? Check. Family friendly? Check. The annual event in Australia’s stunning south-west region has a variety of distances on offer.

The half marathon is easily the biggest drawcard and a great excuse for running-minded families from Perth to go “down south” for the weekend. The 750 participants, including most of WA’s fastest long-distance runners, make up half of the 1,500 total participants across the 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon. This field size is one of the secrets of the BRC’s success in consistently hitting the sweet spot between a major race and one that holds that special parkrun-ish community feel.

After the gun goes off, the run out of town is on a dual pathway. You might not feel this good when passing this spot again on the way back, so take the opportunity to glance over to your right to enjoy the view of that magical combination of sand and a pristine, glass-blue ocean that is even flatter than this course.

Bonus: after the final sprint to the finish line, it’s a mere 50m walk to the ocean for a refreshing dip.

Northern Territory – Run Larapinta stage race

Where: West MacDonnell Ranges When: 16-19 August 2024 Distance: Namatjira (short course) 11-30km stages, Malbunka (long course) 20-45km stages

Run Larapinta – a four-stage traverse along cherrypicked sections of the famous Larapinta Trail – markets itself on camaraderie, on treating this event as an experience rather than a race, and appealing to inclusivity. The Malbunka (long course) requires a qualifier, and over the four stages, runners will cover a total of approximately 128km. But the Namatjira (short course) can be done by just about any able-bodied person with enough determination. The cut-off times are so generous that the course can be walked.

A wide range of ages and body shapes come from all over Australia to chase a bit of adventure on the renowned walking trail totalling 223km from the historic Telegraph Station at Alice Springs to Mount Sonder in the MacDonnell Ranges.

Even in winter the days are hot – and runners are advised not to take any unnecessary risks. The access-only-by-foot rule applies here: if we hurt ourselves, but not seriously enough to warrant a big and expensive rescue operation, participants are told to “swallow a concrete pill and walk ourselves to the finish”. “Walk” is the operative word here because, unless you are a mountain goat wearing trail shoes, you can expect to hike full sections at a time. The water is flown in via helicopter. Large chunks of the route are in mountainous and rocky country, broken up by open savannah. It makes the runnable bits all the sweeter.

Queensland – Two Bays Trail run

Where: Magnetic Island When: 25 May 2024 Distance: 21km, 12km, 6km

This tropical island off Townsville is more than three-quarters national park with sleepy koalas frequenting the trees. The Wulgurukaba people travelled between the island – Yunbenun – and the mainland long before Capt James Cook happened across it in 1770, and culturally significant Aboriginal cave art is still clearly evident in some of the island’s bays. One of them, Nelly Bay, is the starting point for all three running distances. It is the place I arrive without a few compulsory pieces of equipment, including a compression bandage (due to the potential for snakes) and a head torch (due to the potential for darkness). Thankfully the local supermarket comes up trumps with both, along with some sunscreen – those taking on the 21km course will need it for the midpoint stretch of bitumen road under the hot afternoon sun.

This is the event’s other quirk: it does not begin until well into the afternoon. The path goes off the road and into the scrub, where a single-file trail climbs up endless stairs to a peak with phenomenal views before descending just as steeply down the other side. The longer distances follow a path down into Horseshoe Bay where tourists cheer from the front windows of bars and restaurants, before the trail heads back down towards Arcadia and the finish line, emerging on to a road which winds all the way down to the pub, where stainless steel kegs line up either side of the final 20m.

Tasmania – Gone Nuts

Where: Stanley, north-west coast When: 1 March 2025 Distance: 101km (individual or team of two, three or four), 75km (individual), 50km (individual or team of two), 25km (individual)

Gone Nuts is named as such because those who do the 101km event circumnavigate the Nut, an ancient 150m-high volcanic plug jutting into Bass Strait near the quaint colonial village of Stanley. From the start in a park near Rocky Cape Road, the path heads on to a long, straight road, the runners silently pacing themselves on the easy uphill before they reach the big one. The looming figure of Rocky Cape appears around the bend, an impenetrable shadow without a visible peak.

It is not until about the 14km mark that the descent towards Sisters beach begins properly. It is a proper descent, too – always look down. (I do not, and end up flat on my face covered in dirt and a bit of blood. I am not the only one.)

Once the track peters out, though, it’s time to glance up and around at Rocky Cape national park. It is a place of unspoiled, clear water and secluded bushland, and the only area in Tasmania where banksia serrata grows naturally. Vast cave middens, artefacts and rock shelters reveal much about the lifestyle of coastal First Nations people dating back thousands of years, and there is a real sense of moving through rarely touched territory.

It is so rarely touched, in fact, that it is easy to lose the track.

A nice local touch to this event is that organisers consult local property owners, who agree to open their acreage on the day of the race. So through cow paddocks you run, and past harvesters, before sprinting to the finish.

This is an edited extract from Weekend Runner Australia by Emma Kemp, available now through Hardie Grant Explore (RRP$32.99 )

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Giant kangaroos once roamed Australia’s outback

For millions of years huge animals, including wombat-like creatures as big as cars and over-sized koalas, roamed the land now called Australia.

Now, after an exhaustive five-year study piecing together evidence from fossils stored in museums around the world, researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide believe they can add another one to the list — a giant kangaroo which once hopped around the outback.

They say they have discovered three new species of extinct kangaroo, among them a giant marsupial weighing up to 170kg, roughly twice the size of the largest male red kangaroo. All three species are of the extinct genus Protemnodon , which lived in Australia and New Guinea between five million and 40,000 years ago.

The first species of protemnodon was identified

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More EV drivers embracing outback roads amid plan to expand Queensland's charger network

Queenslander Justin Searle lives almost 1,000 kilometres from the nearest service centre, but that did not stop him from buying an electric vehicle (EV).

The outback miner says the decision to ditch the country favourite 4WD surprised his mates.

"There is definitely the perception that EVs don't work in the bush, but if the charging infrastructure is there it really is easy," Mr Searle said.

Fifty-five public charging stations are now switched on across rural and remote Queensland and Mr Searle is among a growing number of EV drivers taking to the open road.

He says the installation of charging stations along the arterial Flinders Highway from Mount Isa to Townsville mean he can easily navigate the 10-hour drive to the coast.

"I get 440 kilometres on a full charge and it takes about an hour to charge fully from near-empty," Mr Searle said.

"But the reality is you're probably going to make a few stops along the way to stretch your legs, doing top-up charges, which all-up will probably tag about an hour onto your trip," he said, adding that it costs him about $40 to travel 900km.

Mr Searle said that while the environmental benefits of EVs were a plus, it was the long-term economic perks that convinced him to go electric. 

"The final point that put me over the line was the fringe benefits tax exemption that you get with a novated lease.

"I end up saving about $45,000 over five years," he said.

Opening up the outback

As tourist season gets underway in rural Queensland an increasing number of electric car owners are heading to the outback from the coast, according to Sam Bush, a manager for assets and operations with Yurika, which is a branch of Energy Queensland that is installing chargers in remote areas.

"We're seeing an uptick in EV type tourism," he said.

"We have a lot of customers that comment about how it's providing them the ability to take their families on holiday using their EV.

"We're actually starting to see some of the regional areas becoming real hotspots for EV owners."

The purchase of electric cars in Australia more than doubled in 2023, when 98,436 new EVs hit the road, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.

The group predicts the market will continue to grow by 30-50 per cent each year.

Vandalism, charging fears

But Mr Searle said limitations including a lack of EV mechanics and examples of targeted EV vandalism were holding back rural communities.

"Although the EVs are low maintenance compared to your diesel and petrol cars, if something does go wrong I still have that anxiety with the closest service centre being in Townsville," he said.

Mr Searle said cases of vandalism against vehicles and charging stations were also a deterrent.

"Some people are just deliberately targeting EVs," he said.

"There have been cases in Mount Isa where people run shopping trolleys into them and things like that."

Mr Searle said there could also be a risk of queuing at the charging stations dotted along the highways as more EV drivers headed to the bush.

Mr Bush said there would be plans to expand existing services if demand rose.

"As more vehicles use the electric highway, we will be upgrading the technology to larger capacity charges, so that, potentially, people will only be required to charge for five to 10 minutes," he said.

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The Australian Outback & NASA’s Search for Life on Mars

How will we know if there is life on Mars? What geological clues can our Martian orbiters and rovers search for and collect samples of to return home to Earth?

Stromatolites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia may hold the answer.

In June of 2023, members of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, the Australian Space Agency, ESA (European Space Agency), and the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), joined together on an expedition to visit three incredible field locations containing stromatolites, fossils of ancient microbial life, and the oldest, most convincing evidence for life on Earth.

Stromatolites are rock features that are usually dome or cone-shaped, and are caused by photosynthetic lifeforms precipitating minerals throughout their life cycle, while continuously climbing upwards towards their energy source of the sun. Over time these microbial communities begin to form layers of rock that rise up to form strange shapes in the geological record that cannot be formed in any other way. Could these structures be found on other planets? On Mars?

As we search the solar system and beyond for biosignatures, or signs of life, it's crucial that we know as much as possible about the nature of life on Earth. Knowing how quickly life took hold on our planet, and how that life evolved over time, will help NASA scientists understand the possibilities for life on other worlds and how best to search for them. Mars and Earth may have had very similar pasts, and the surface of Mars shares many qualities with the stromatolite outcrops in Western Australia.

If life could take a foothold on Earth 3.5 billion years ago, could it also have taken a hold on Mars?

Learn more about the NASA Astrobiology Program: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/

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Oregon Outback: Summer Lake area has hot springs, dark skies, adventure and thick steaks

Everything feels just a little bigger in the Oregon Outback.

The mountains are steeper, history deeper, night skies darker and cuts of steak thicker than anyone has a right to expect in remote southcentral Oregon.

And don’t get me started on the birds.

I’ve seen vast flocks on rivers and wildlife refuges. But the scale and sound of migration season at Summer Lake Wildlife Area boggles the senses.

Over spring break I returned to the Oregon Outback for the first time in a few years to explore just a few of the places I’d missed, including Summer Lake. It reminded me how great this area is for a spring road trip.

Here’s a few ideas for places to stay, explore and eat near Summer Lake.

Summer Lake and Winter Ridge

On Dec. 16, 1843, Capt. John C. Frémont and a mapping expedition were trekking across a snow-covered plateau when they came to a cliff and saw a remarkable sight.

“More than a thousand feet below, we looked into a green prairie country, in which a beautiful lake, some twenty miles in length, was spread along the foot of the mountain,” Frémont wrote. “Shivering on snow three feet deep, and stiffening in a cold north wind, we exclaimed at once that the names of Summer Lake and Winter Ridge should be applied to these proximate places of such sudden and violent contrast.”

The name is fitting, especially in the spring. It can feel sunny and pleasant along Summer Lake while almost directly overhead, it’s snowing on 30-mile long Winter Ridge.

The dynamic scenery is the the first thing you notice upon driving here. It has the “whoa” factor as much as any place in Oregon.

The interesting thing is that while Summer Lake looks cool — 15 miles long and sparkling — it’s not a recreation spot itself. The lake is alkaline and shallow — not a place to boat, swim or explore. It’s really the places around its edges that create the magic.

Base camp: Summer Lake Hot Springs

This has become one of Oregon’s more beloved hot springs, but what struck me most in visiting was it’s still a small, low-impact site. You would never refer to this as a resort.

You can rent funky and cool cabins here, with geothermically warmed floors, along with RV spots and campsites. But the entire compound blends into the landscape so well it’s hard to spot it from a distance. It’s a place that lets the scenery and hot springs do the work.

Speaking of the hot springs. It has three outdoor pools open all night. By day, you can soak and enjoy views of the aforementioned Winter Ridge. At night, you can view one of the world’s darkest skies, part of the newly-established Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary .

By mid-May, an indoor swimming pool bathhouse opens up that allows for a little bit more space and access for hot springing.

Nearby gem: Summer Lake Wildlife Area

Nothing quite prepares you for the number of birds here during migration season at this wildlife area on the north side of the lake. The sky and wetlands are packed, and the sound is a chaotic symphony of chirps and trills as hundreds of thousands of birds migrate through here each year on the Pacific Flyway.

The wildlife area is 18,941 acres of wetlands and streams that becomes a temporary home for all manner of shorebirds and waterfoul, from tundra swans to western sandpipers to sandhill cranes.

The area has three main seasons for visitors, according to manager Jason Journey. There is the spring migration (March to May) and fall migration (August to September). Both times are good for birdwatching, hiking, photography and canoeing around the streams and wetlands. Apparently, mosquitoes and flies make it unpleasant during peak-summer.

The third option is hunting season, which runs from October to late January.

Ana Reservoir

The water in the wildlife area and Summer Lake comes directly from Ana Reservoir, a scenic place good for boating, swimming and fishing.

For anglers, the area is probably most famous for its population of hybrid striped bass — often known as “wipers.” They were stocked years ago to control the population of invasive tui chub, and the largest wiper on record was caught here in 2009.

Deepest history in North America

The history near Summer Lake goes deeper than just about anywhere else in North America.

Summer Lake is now about 15 miles long, which seems large, but it was once far larger. Prehistoric Lake Chewaucan once covered 461 square miles at depths of up to 375 feet.

The waves from that ancient lake cut a series of caves, now famously known as the Paisley Caves, which are home to the oldest evidence of human habitation in North America — up to 14,300 years ago.

Evidence of those ancient people can be found at Picture Rock Pass Petroglyphs Site, just north of Summer Lake on the side of Highway 31, likely created between 7,500 and 12,000 years ago.

Fort Rock Cave tours

The Paisley Caves aren’t the only famous historical site. Head to Fort Rock State Park, and you’ll not only be treated to a hike through a massive colosseum of stone, but you can also tour caves where the earliest known footwear on Earth was discovered.

Fort Rock Cave tours offered throughout spring and early summer cost $20. This is the site where the famous sagebrush sandals were discovered and dated to 9,350 to 10,500 years old.

Eat at the Cowboy Dinner Tree

The best restaurant in Oregon is a little place nestled deep in the Oregon Outback, about an hour from Summer Lake, called the Cowboy Dinner Tree . Their menu is simple: A gigantic top sirloin steak or a whole roasted chicken, plus salad, soup, sweet rolls and dessert.

It’s a place you don’t order your meal or make requests. There’s no vegetarian options, you can’t pick your dressing or even how your steak is cooked. You eat what you’re given. And they only take cash.

That model would seem to doom a restaurant, but the simplicity allows the restaurant to focus on doing what they do really well. The steak was the best I’ve ever eaten, cooked to that perfect spot that's rare but not raw. The chicken was flavorful and delicious.

The restaurant opened in 1992, but legend is that it goes back to the early 1900s. The place where the restaurant is located used to be a little shack where cowboys would seek shade under a juniper tree. Sometimes a chuckwagon would park there and cowboys and ranchers would gather to eat. Before it was the Cowboy Dinner Tree it was originally called the dinner tree.

The inside is rustic and packed with character, including lots of $1 bills tucked into the corners of pictures and tables. People started putting them there around a decade ago. The restaurant collects them every now and again and donates them to local charity.

From the setting to the scene, there is no place quite like it. Just make sure to make reservations way ahead of time by calling 541-576-2426 .

Ride the Christmas Valley sand dunes

Riding ATVs is popular at the Christmas Valley sand dunes, but there is some hiking as well.

Visit Paisley

This town of 250 features the Pioneer Saloon and Restaurant and the Paisley Mercantile, both worth checking out. And also …

Fly-fish the Chewaucan

If you’re fly-fishing, check out the much beloved Chewaucan River for rainbow trout. I’m saving this adventure for my next trip to the Oregon Outback, but there's a decent amount of information out there about it.

Hike Winter Ridge or Hager Mountain

For those looking to get into the alpine regions of the area, there are hikes on Winter Ridge, right above Summer Lake, that typically open up in late May. There is also Hager Mountain, a challenging mountain that climbs to a lookout. I wrote about staying overnight in the lookout back in 2016.

With this much possible adventure — and food — there’s good reason to visit, and keep coming back.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast . Urness is the author of “ Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon ” and “ Hiking Southern Oregon .” He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Summer Lake in southcentral Oregon offers hot springs, dark skies

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Top total solar eclipses to look out for over the next decade

Want to experience totality again? Here are the next seven total solar eclipses across the world, from Alaska to Australia.

1. Total solar eclipse of 2026

2. total solar eclipse of 2027, 3. total solar eclipse of 2028, 4. total solar eclipse of 2030, 5. hybrid total-annular solar eclipse of 2031, 6. total solar eclipse of 2033, 7. total solar eclipse of 2034, additional resources.

With the April 8 total solar eclipse over, North America has exactly eight years, 11 months and 22 days to wait until its next one. Although total solar eclipses occur in the same location only every 375 years or so, they are not rare. In fact, they happen on our planet about once every 18 months, on average. 

In the next decade, seven total solar eclipses will occur on Earth , plunging countries as diverse as Australia, Egypt, Spain and Sudan under the central shadow of the moon . The first of these will be on Aug. 12, 2026, and the last will be on March 20, 2034, with maximum durations of totality ranging from 1 minute, 8 seconds to 6 minutes, 23 seconds.

Here are the important details about where, when and how to experience a total solar eclipse in the next decade.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Where: Russia, Greenland, Iceland and Spain

Maximum duration of totality: 2 minutes, 18 seconds 

Europe's first total solar eclipse for 27 years will coincide with the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower . The path of totality will pass over Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain. The place to experience maximum totality will be on a cruise ship off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland. The chances of a clear sky are much higher in northern Spain, but the eclipse will be much lower, so sight lines will be key. From the Spanish island of Mallorca, it will even be possible to see a "sunset totality" featuring a golden corona (as long as there are clear skies). 

  When: Monday, Aug. 2, 2027

Where: Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia and British Indian Ocean Territory

Maximum duration of totality: 6 minutes, 23 seconds 

Saros 136 is our era's preeminent family of total solar eclipses. It repeats every 18 years, 11 days and eight hours. The next one is on Aug. 2, 2027, with Luxor, Egypt, destined for a clear view of 6 minutes, 23 seconds of totality. Other options include southern Spain; Gibraltar; Tangier, Morocco; Tunisia's Kerkennah Islands; and Jeddah and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 

However, all eyes will be on Luxor, where an eclipsed sun will be visible from the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut.  A whopping 89 million people will experience totality in 2027 — far more than witnessed the 2024 total solar eclipse in North America .  

When: Saturday, July 22, 2028

Where: Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Australia and New Zealand

Maximum duration of totality: 5 minutes, 10 seconds

This solar eclipse — the second of five in 15 years for Australia — will be visible from remote locations such as the Bungle Bungles and Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, respectively, as well as Dubbo, the Blue Mountains and Sydney, where observers will get to witness 3 minutes, 48 seconds of totality. The South Island of New Zealand — including Milford Sound, Queenstown and Dunedin — will also experience totality close to sunset.  

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When: Monday, Nov. 25, 2030

Where: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Australia

Maximum duration of totality: 3 minutes, 44 seconds

This eclipse will occur mostly at sea, but it will cross almost 11 million people on two continents. Totality will occur shortly after sunrise from Namibia's Skeleton Coast before moving across Botswana to Durban on the east coast of South Africa. The path of totality will then stretch across a remote part of the Indian Ocean before a low-setting eclipsed sunset is seen from South Australia and the outback of New South Wales and Queensland. It's the perfect opportunity to explore Namibia or take part in a remote safari adventure in Botswana.

When: Friday, Nov. 14, 2031

Where: Cruise ship from Hawaii

Maximum duration of totality: 1 minute, 8 seconds 

For many people, this remote and short eclipse might not be worth the effort. After all, a brief totality during this very remote eclipse will be visible only from inside a narrow path in the North Pacific Ocean, making a cruise ship from Hawaii the most likely way to experience it. 

But this is the most dramatic type of eclipse — a hybrid. A hybrid eclipse, which occurs only seven times in the 21st century, combines an annular (or "ring of fire") solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse. However, the short duration and small shadow are crucial, with informed eclipse chasers destined to enjoy an extended display of Baily's beads and a lingering diamond ring before and after totality. A "ring of fire" will be visible from the coast of Panama for 25 seconds. 

When: Wednesday, March 30, 2033

Where: Russia and the U.S. (Alaska)

Maximum duration of totality: 2 minutes, 37 seconds

This is the next total solar eclipse for North America. Because it occurs close to the spring equinox, it will be a great opportunity to explore Alaska during peak northern lights viewing season. An eclipsed sun as low as 8 degrees above the eastern horizon will be seen from locations such as Utqiagvik (Barrow), Sagavanirktok (Prudhoe Bay), Kotzebue and Nome.

When: Monday, March 20, 2034 

Where: Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China

Maximum duration of totality: 4 minutes, 9 seconds

If you want a total solar eclipse to take you off the beaten path, this eclipse will suit you. The path of totality will envelope 109 million people in 13 countries in Central Africa and South Asia. Chief viewing locations will include the Red Sea Coast, in Egypt; the UNESCO World Heritage site of Persepolis, in Iran; and Leh, in the Indian Himalayas.  

You can read all about these eclipses in the book " When Is the Next Eclipse? A traveler's guide to total solar eclipses 2024-2034 ," by Jamie Carter, and on his website, WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com . Other useful resources for eclipse chasers include Eclipse Wise , a website dedicated to predictions of eclipses; cartographer Michael Zeiler's GreatAmericanEclipse.com and Atlas of Solar Eclipses 2020-2045 ; climate and weather predictions by meteorologist Jay Anderson on Eclipsophile.com ; and Xavier Jubier's Interactive Google Maps. 

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Jamie is an experienced science, technology and travel journalist and stargazer who writes about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy and space exploration. He is the editor of  WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com  and author of  A Stargazing Program For Beginners , and is a senior contributor at Forbes. His special skill is turning tech-babble into plain English.

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