20 Places to Experience the Australian Outback

Some of my favourite places in Australia aren’t in the cities. They’re out where the roads stretch towards the horizon, the towns are tiny and you can drive for hours surrounded by red dirt, wildlife and enormous skies.

I might be a little biased. I was born in the Australian Outback and spent part of my childhood there, so these landscapes have always felt special to me.

But where should you go to experience the Outback for yourself?

There are the famous places – Uluru, Kings Canyon and the Flinders Ranges – but there are also remote national parks, quirky mining towns, legendary Outback pubs and long dirt roads where simply getting there is part of the experience.

Some are surprisingly easy to visit. Others require a 4WD, careful preparation or a willingness to travel a very long way from the nearest major town.

I’ve put together 20 of the best places to experience the Australian Outback, from the Red Centre to the tropical north and some of Australia’s most remote inland communities.

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But Where is the Australian Outback?

Here’s the thing – there isn’t an exact line on the map where you suddenly cross into the Australian Outback.

Generally, the term is used for Australia’s remote and sparsely populated areas, particularly inland, but even that definition is a little too simple.

The Outback isn’t all red dirt and desert. It includes everything from arid landscapes in Central Australia to rugged ranges, cattle country and parts of the tropical north.

To me, the Outback is as much about the experience as the location.

It’s long stretches of road with barely another car in sight. Tiny towns hundreds of kilometres apart. Roadhouses, cattle stations and old mining settlements.

It’s incredible night skies, wildlife, ancient landscapes and Aboriginal cultures with connections to Country stretching back tens of thousands of years.

It’s also a place where distances matter.

Somewhere that looks reasonably close on a map could still be several hours away, and in remote areas you need to think carefully about fuel, water, road conditions and phone coverage.

That’s part of what makes travelling through the Australian Outback such an adventure.

Best Places to Experience the Australian Outback

The Outback is special to me. I was born there and grew up there, and while I’ve travelled all over the world, there’s still something about these landscapes that keeps drawing me back.

Here are 20 places where you can experience very different sides of the Australian Outback.

1. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

If you’re looking for the classic Australian Outback experience, it’s hard to go past Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

No matter how many photos you’ve seen, standing in front of Uluru for the first time is something else. See it at different times of the day, particularly around sunrise and sunset when the changing light transforms the colour of the rock.

But don’t come all this way and only see Uluru.

Around 50 kilometres away, Kata Tjuta is a spectacular group of 36 domed rock formations, with walks including the Valley of the Winds.

The national park is Aboriginal land, jointly managed by Anangu Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. Take time to learn about Anangu culture and the significance of this landscape rather than simply treating Uluru as another landmark to photograph.

I visited as part of a three-day Red Centre trip that also included Kings Canyon, which is a great option if you don’t want to organise all the driving yourself.

2. Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Kings Canyon is another Red Centre highlight, and for me the Kings Canyon Rim Walk is the reason to come.

The 6-kilometre circuit begins with a steep climb before following the rim through the sandstone landscape of Watarrka National Park. Allow around three to four hours and carry plenty of water.

In hot weather, there are restrictions on when you can start the walk, so check the forecast and current park information before setting out. If the full Rim Walk isn’t for you, there are shorter alternatives, including the Kings Creek Walk along the canyon floor.

Kings Canyon is around 300 kilometres from Uluru by the usual sealed-road route, so the two work well together.

We visited Kings Canyon on the same three-day Red Centre tour as Uluru, and it was one of the highlights.

3. Coober Pedy, South Australia

There really isn’t anywhere else in Australia quite like Coober Pedy.

This remote South Australian town is famous for opals, but what makes it particularly fascinating is how much of it is underground. To escape the extreme summer temperatures, locals have carved homes known as dugouts into the surrounding hills – and you’ll also find underground churches, shops and accommodation.

Tour an underground home, learn about opal mining and try noodling for opals yourself.

Make time for Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, around 25 kilometres north of town. The colourful hills and vast plains are particularly beautiful in the softer light around sunrise and sunset.

If you have more time, Coober Pedy is also a good starting point for a trip through the Painted Desert, where erosion has created colourful mesas and hills. From there you can continue towards Oodnadatta.

I’ve put together a full guide to the best things to do in Coober Pedy if you’re planning a visit.

4. Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Right in the heart of Australia, Alice Springs is one of the best places to learn more about life in the Outback.

Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Alice Springs School of the Air to see how essential services reach people living across enormous distances.

The town also has galleries showcasing Aboriginal art from Central Australia, while Alice Springs Desert Park introduces you to the plants and animals of Australia’s desert environments.

Allow time for the nearby Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges too. Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge are among the highlights.

And don’t think of Alice Springs as simply somewhere you fly into before visiting Uluru. Uluru is almost 500 kilometres away by road – Outback distances are rarely as small as they look on a map.

5. Simpson Desert, South Australia, Northern Territory & Queensland

If your idea of the Australian Outback involves endless red sand dunes and almost complete isolation, the Simpson Desert delivers.

Popular routes cross hundreds of parallel dunes, including the famous Big Red near Birdsville.

But a Simpson Desert crossing isn’t something to tackle on a whim. This is serious remote-area travel requiring a high-clearance 4WD, plenty of fuel and water, appropriate communications equipment and experience travelling in remote conditions.

There are permits and seasonal closures to consider too, and tracks can become impassable after rain. Always check the latest conditions before setting out.

If you’re not equipped for a full crossing, you can still get a taste of the landscape from Birdsville, with Big Red around 35 kilometres from town.

6. Flinders Ranges, South Australia

The Flinders Ranges is one of my favourite places in Australia – actually, one of my favourite places anywhere in the world.

Here rugged ranges rise from the surrounding plains, kangaroos and emus regularly appear beside the road and millions of years of geological history are visible in the landscape.

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is the obvious place to start. Explore around Ikara (Wilpena Pound), drive through Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges and stop at the lookouts along the way.

But don’t limit yourself to the national park. Head further north to places such as Parachilna, Blinman and Arkaroola, and allow time for the tiny towns in between.

This is Adnyamathanha Country, and learning about the stories and culture connected with this landscape adds another dimension to a visit.

I’ve been to the Flinders Ranges many times and never seem to tire of it. My guide to things to do in the Flinders Ranges has plenty more ideas.

7. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

The Outback isn’t all red dirt and desert, and Kakadu National Park is a perfect example.

In Australia’s tropical Top End, Kakadu covers a huge landscape of wetlands, floodplains, escarpments, rivers and waterfalls, with the seasons dramatically changing what you’ll see and where you can go.

But Kakadu is much more than its scenery.

The park is Aboriginal land, jointly managed by its Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. Places such as Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) offer opportunities to see rock art and learn about continuing cultural connections to Country.

Wildlife is another highlight. A cruise on Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) is a popular way to see birds, crocodiles and the wetlands.

Kakadu is around three hours from Darwin, but don’t try to squeeze the whole park into a rushed day trip. It’s enormous. Give yourself at least a couple of days – preferably longer.

8. Purnululu National Park, Western Australia

The orange-and-black striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range make Purnululu National Park one of the most distinctive landscapes in Western Australia’s Kimberley.

It’s also properly remote.

Explore on foot, with walks ranging from shorter trails around the domes and Cathedral Gorge to longer gorge walks. Scenic flights provide a completely different perspective and are also an option if you can’t drive into the park.

Road access is via the 53-kilometre unsealed Spring Creek Track, which is restricted to high-clearance 4WD vehicles and can take several hours. The park generally closes during the wet season.

Check current access and park alerts before you go.

9. Oodnadatta Track, South Australia

If you want a classic Outback road trip, the Oodnadatta Track is hard to beat.

Running between Marree and Marla, it follows part of the route of the old Ghan railway through vast plains, mound springs, salt lakes and tiny settlements.

I recently drove the Oodnadatta Track with my dad, and for me the appeal isn’t one single attraction. It’s the whole experience – stopping in Marree, William Creek and Oodnadatta, seeing remnants of the old railway and driving for kilometres with seemingly nothing around you.

From William Creek you can take a scenic flight over Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre and the Anna Creek Painted Hills. I did a scenic flight from William Creek over Lake Eyre and the Painted Hills, and seeing this landscape from above gives you a completely different appreciation of its scale.

The track is unsealed and conditions can change quickly after rain. Check the Outback road report before leaving and make sure you have enough fuel, water and supplies.

10. Birdsville, Queensland

Few places say Australian Outback quite like Birdsville.

This tiny Queensland town sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert. Explore the town, call into the famous Birdsville Hotel and head out to Big Red, around 35 kilometres west.

Birdsville is also famous for its events. The Birdsville Races, held in September, attract thousands of visitors, while the Big Red Bash brings live music to the edge of the Simpson Desert.

You don’t need an event as an excuse to visit, though. When things are quieter, you get a much better sense of just how remote Birdsville really is.

Whichever way you arrive, check road conditions and fuel availability before setting off.

11. Longreach, Queensland

If you want to understand more about the people and industries that shaped the Outback, Longreach is a great place to spend a few days.

Its two headline attractions are the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, exploring pastoral and Outback history, and the Qantas Founders Museum, telling the story of an airline that began in western Queensland.

Take a trip along the Thomson River, experience an Outback sunset and leave some time to explore the town itself.

Longreach is also relatively accessible by Outback standards. You can drive, fly or arrive aboard Queensland Rail’s Spirit of the Outback from Brisbane.

12. Broken Hill, New South Wales

Broken Hill is one of Australia’s great Outback towns, built on mining but with an arts scene that has become almost as famous.

Explore its mining history, galleries and public art, then head to the Living Desert and Sculptures around sunset.

Nearby Silverton, about 25 kilometres away, makes an easy side trip. The tiny former mining town is now known for galleries, historic buildings, its famous pub and film connections. The landscapes around Broken Hill and Silverton have appeared in numerous Australian productions, including The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Mad Max 2.

Broken Hill also made history in 2015 when it became the first Australian city to be included on the National Heritage List.

13. Gibb River Road, Western Australia

For one of Australia’s classic Outback road trips, head to the Kimberley and tackle the Gibb River Road.

The 647-kilometre, mainly unsealed route between Derby and the Kununurra end of the Kimberley passes rugged ranges, gorges, waterfalls and enormous cattle stations.

There are plenty of places to explore along the way, including Windjana Gorge, Bell Gorge and Manning Gorge, depending on current access and conditions. Station stays and wilderness accommodation are part of the experience too.

Don’t rush it. Allow at least several days, and preferably longer.

The road is usually travelled during the dry season and conditions can vary enormously. Some side roads and attractions require a high-clearance 4WD, and river crossings can change quickly.

Always check the latest road and attraction conditions before setting out.

14. Tibooburra and Corner Country, New South Wales

For a quieter Outback experience, head to Tibooburra in far north-west New South Wales.

The tiny town makes a good base for exploring Sturt National Park, with its vast plains, rocky landscapes, red dunes and wonderfully dark night skies.

Tibooburra itself is worth some time too. Visit the historic pubs, learn about the region’s gold-mining history and enjoy being a very long way from Australia’s big cities.

This is Corner Country, close to the borders of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. When road conditions allow, you can continue towards Cameron Corner, where the three states meet.

Roads in this region can close quickly after rain, so check conditions before travelling and plan your fuel stops carefully.

15. Mungo National Park, New South Wales

Mungo National Park is one of those places that changes your perspective on the Australian landscape – and its history.

The park forms part of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, a system of ancient lakes that has been dry for thousands of years.

Its best-known landscape is the Walls of China, part of the Mungo lunette, where erosion has exposed layers of sand and clay.

But Mungo is much more than an impressive landscape.

Archaeological discoveries here, including Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, have provided extraordinary evidence of Aboriginal people living in this region for more than 40,000 years.

The area remains deeply important to the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Paakantyi/Barkindji peoples. Access to the culturally significant Walls of China is by guided tour, including tours led by Aboriginal NPWS guides.

Mungo is remote and access roads are unsealed, so check conditions before making the journey.

16. Boodjamulla National Park, Queensland

If your mental picture of the Outback is all red dirt and dry desert, Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land) will quickly change that.

Formerly known as Lawn Hill National Park, this remote park in north-west Queensland is centred around Lawn Hill Gorge, where orange sandstone cliffs rise above the permanent waters of Lawn Hill Creek.

Canoeing or kayaking through Middle Gorge is one of the best ways to experience it, and walking trails provide views over the surrounding landscape.

This is Waanyi Country, and the park has deep cultural significance to the Waanyi people.

Boodjamulla has been recovering from significant flooding, with visitor facilities and walking tracks reopening in stages. Check current park alerts before planning your visit, as access and available activities can change.

17. Lightning Ridge, New South Wales

Lightning Ridge is another Outback town built around opal mining – but don’t assume you’ve already experienced it because you’ve been to Coober Pedy.

While Coober Pedy is famous for underground living, Lightning Ridge is particularly known for its black opal and wonderfully unconventional character.

Explore old mine workings, learn how opals are found and follow the quirky Car Door Tours, self-drive routes marked by brightly painted car doors.

There are galleries, eccentric buildings and plenty of reminders that this is a town built by people willing to take a gamble on finding their fortune underground.

Afterwards, soak in the naturally heated Artesian Bore Baths.

18. Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Deep in Western Australia’s Pilbara, Karijini National Park is a spectacular landscape of red-rock gorges, waterfalls and pools.

There are lookouts where you can appreciate the scale from above, but some of the best experiences involve walking into the gorges.

Popular areas include Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool, along with the dramatic Weano and Hancock Gorges.

Trails range from relatively straightforward walks to challenging routes involving steep descents, scrambling and water. Don’t underestimate the harder walks – check current trail classifications, closures and conditions before setting out.

The combination of red rock, narrow gorges and water makes Karijini one of Australia’s most memorable Outback landscapes.

19. Charleville, Queensland

One of the joys of travelling through the Outback is looking up after dark. With little light pollution, the night skies can be extraordinary – and Charleville is a great place to learn more about what you’re seeing.

The Charleville Cosmos Centre is the headline attraction, offering astronomy experiences and observations of the night sky.

But there’s more to Charleville than stargazing.

The town has connections with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, while the WWII Secret Base tells the story of American military personnel stationed here during the Second World War.

Then there are the bilbies. Charleville has a conservation program protecting these threatened native marsupials, with visitor experiences where you can learn more about them.

20. Winton, Queensland

For dinosaurs, Australian history and a good dose of Outback Queensland character, finish the list in Winton.

Around 24 kilometres from town, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History has an extraordinary collection of Australian dinosaur fossils and offers a fascinating look at the discoveries being made in the region.

Further afield, Lark Quarry Conservation Park protects thousands of dinosaur footprints at the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument.

Back in town, Winton has a strong connection with Waltzing Matilda. Banjo Paterson wrote the words while staying in the region in 1895, and you can learn more about the song at the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

Take some time to wander around town, visit one of the local pubs and get out into the surrounding landscape.

And stay overnight if you can. Like so many Outback towns, Winton feels different once the day visitors disappear and the stars come out.

Before You Travel into the Australian Outback

Travelling in the Australian Outback isn’t difficult if you’re well prepared, but distances and conditions shouldn’t be underestimated.

Some places on this list, such as Alice Springs, Longreach and Broken Hill, are easy to reach on sealed roads or even by plane or train. Others involve hundreds of kilometres of remote or unsealed driving.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Check road conditions before you leave. Unsealed roads can close quickly after rain, and conditions can change throughout the year.
• Don’t assume you need a 4WD – but don’t assume you don’t either. It depends on where you’re going and current conditions. If you’re hiring a car, check exactly where the rental company allows you to drive.
• Plan your fuel stops. In remote areas, the next petrol station could be hundreds of kilometres away. Don’t assume every roadhouse shown on a map will be open.
• Carry plenty of drinking water, particularly when travelling away from major highways and towns.
• Don’t rely on mobile phone coverage. For seriously remote trips, carry appropriate satellite communication or a personal locator beacon.
• Avoid driving between dusk and dawn where possible. Kangaroos and other wildlife are more active, visibility is reduced and collisions are common.
• Think carefully about the time of year. Summer temperatures inland can be extreme, while wet-season conditions in northern Australia can close roads and attractions.
• Tell someone where you’re going. For remote trips, make sure somebody knows your route and when you expect to arrive.

Most importantly, don’t let all of that put you off.

You don’t need to be an experienced 4WD traveller to see the Australian Outback. Start somewhere such as the Flinders Ranges, Broken Hill, Alice Springs or Longreach and you can experience huge landscapes and Outback towns without heading hundreds of kilometres down an isolated dirt track.

Then, if you catch the Outback bug, there are plenty more remote adventures waiting.

Experience the Australian Outback for Yourself

The Australian Outback isn’t one single landscape or experience. It’s red deserts and tropical gorges, tiny towns and enormous cattle stations, ancient cultures, quirky characters and roads disappearing towards the horizon.

I’ve been exploring the Outback for most of my life, and there are still so many places I haven’t seen.

You don’t have to cross the Simpson Desert or drive the Gibb River Road on your first trip. Pick somewhere that suits your travel style, allow more time than you think you’ll need and start exploring.

You might just discover my favourite side of Australia.

Before you go…read these next!
Cairns Without a Car – 7 Must-do Tours
Crossing the Nullarbor
Places to Stop on the Great Ocean Road

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