Is It Worth Visiting The Australian Outback?
With its ancient history, fascinating wildlife, and majestic natural wonders, the Australian Outback is worth visiting for any traveller seeking adventure! The Australian Outback is one of the world's most remote and iconic landscapes. From the rugged gorges of Western Australia, to the Aboriginal rock art of the Top End, to the beautiful deserts of the Red Centre, the Outback holds so many treasures. Let our experts open your eyes to the magic of the Outback and recommend the best ways to explore this vast area.
Is It The Australian Outback Worth Seeing?
The Australian Outback is absolutely worth seeing, mainly because it is home to so many unique sights that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The Outback is a gigantic area, so you can find a huge variety of nature, culture, and wildlife here. Most people probably picture the Red Centre when they think of the Outback. Here is where you'll find the famous Uluru monolith as well as the remote desert town of Alice Springs.
Other notable parts of the Outback include the lush national parks near Darwin, including Kakadu, Litchfield, and Nitmiluk. Head west and you'll find the secluded wilderness of the Kimberleys, and continue down the West Coast to find vast stretches of pristine, untouched coastline. The Outback extends down into South Australia's deserts and mining towns, and some even consider the isolated forests and mountains of Tasmania to be part of the Outback. There is so much here that is worth seeing!
Why do people go to the Outback?
Travellers visit the Outback to connect with nature and culture, and to have off-the-beaten-path adventures. The Outback is characterised by its remoteness, where you are free from the hustle and bustle of big cities and commercialism. Travelling through the Outback is a wild expedition where you might encounter extreme weather, magnificent plants, beautiful animals, indigenous communities, historic landmarks, and a whole lot of mystical natural beauty.
Much of the Outback looks the same as it did thousands of years ago, from the indigenous rock paintings on cliff faces to the wide open expanses of desert. So people go to the Outback to camp, hike, swim, climb, learn, and road trip through some of the most breathtaking parts of Australia.
What is the best way to visit the Australian Outback?
Guided tours, rail experiences, and road trips are the best ways to visit the Australian Outback. The option you choose will depend on the type of traveller you are and the type of trip you want to have. Most international travellers will opt for guided tours, as this is the easiest way to explore the Outback. Those looking for a bit of luxury can choose a guided rail journey. These options are also ideal for those on a time limit, as the trips are scheduled and easy to plan.
Day trips and independent road trips are popular options for Australians and travellers who crave adventure. If you have your own car or are planning to rent one, you can throw caution to the wind and explore the Outback without a guide. This option requires much more planning and preparation, but it offers that true wilderness experience that many hope for in the Outback.
Explore the best of the Outback on these overnight expeditions!
Multiday Outback Tours
Overnight guided tours are one of the best ways to travel the Outback. Because the Outback is so remote, resources and facilities are limited in the vast spaces between destinations. A guided expedition ensures all your transport, meals, accommodation, national park fees, and other logistics are taken care of. You also have the benefit of a local guide to show you the way and share their knowledge with you.
Some popular guided Outback tours include:
- Alice Springs to Uluru
- Darwin to Broome
- Darwin to Kakadu National Park
- Perth to Exmouth
- Perth to Broome
- 10 Day Tasmania Tour
Outback Rail Experiences
Elevate your overnight Outback adventure with a luxury train experience! While most other overnight Outback tours include camping and 4WD-ing through the wilderness, Australia's rail journeys allow you to travel on an upscale train. View the countryside from the comfort of a fabulous cabin, enjoy fine dining and quality beverages, and get off the train for cool experiences on land as well.
Popular Outback train experiences include:
- The Ghan Darwin to Adelaide
- The Ghan Darwin to Alice Springs
- The Ghan Adelaide to Alice Springs
- Indian Pacific Adelaide to Perth
Day Trips in the Outback
A more laid-back way to travel in the Outback is basing yourself in one location and booking excursions from there. This method only works for certain destinations, because many Outback attractions are spaced very far apart and can't be done in a day trip. But for the more established cities in the Outback, you can just spend a few days in a hostel or hotel and book guided day trips to explore the surrounding areas.
Best Outback cities for day trips include:
- Darwin: day trips to Kakadu, Litchfield, Katherine Gorge
- Perth: day trips to Pinnacles Desert, Rottnest Island, Margaret River
- Adelaide: day trips to Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island
- Alice Springs: day trips to Uluru, Watarrka Nat Park (Kings Canyon) and Tjoritja Nat Park (West Macdonnell Ranges)
Road trips in the Outback
For the ultimate wilderness experience, you can get your own 4WD or campervan and road trip through the Outback! Best done over a few weeks or months, Outback road trips are popular among families, groups of friends, couples, and anyone seeking adventure. It's important to be well-prepared for road trips in the Outback as there are limited facilities.
Most travellers choose 4WD vehicles and caravans for their Outback road trips, or even campervans. 4WDs, caravans, and campervans are handy for camping and road tripping in the Outback. And you'll need a good chunk of time for the road trip because the Outback is so vast. But if you thoroughly prepare, this may just be the trip of a lifetime!
