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Why
the Outback
is special
The Outback of Australia has long captured the imagination of adventure
travelers. It is one of our planet's last frontiers.
Tips & insights
on the Outback
in Australia
 The
Outback is approximately the size of Western Europe.
The
Outback is the collective word for the vast, arid, sparsely populated remote
inland
areas throughout Australia. The shaded area on my map below shows its rough
boundaries.
Bear in mind that my boundaries are well-researched but not gospel. No Outback
definition can be factual because there is no official government delineation.
Some people believe the Outback is smaller, others think it is larger than I
indicate.
The
Outback is not all desert. It has a variety of terrain and climates with varied
wildlife and vegetation.
Some
vistas are scenic and the peaceful seclusion is gratifying. At night, the stars
shine brightly through the unpolluted air.
Major
commercial pursuits include mining and ranching. Cattle stations tend to be
large - one occupies over 30,000 square kilometers (12,000 square miles).
Although
the best time for visiting Australia's coastal areas like Sydney is during the
Southern Hemisphere summer (November to March), it is the worst time for the
southern and middle portions of the Outback. Temperatures sometimes exceed 40ºC
(105ºF) in that season. And it can become quite dusty.
You
can explore the Outback on your own. If you plan to leave the paved road for the
solitude and adventure of dirt tracks, drive a 4WD. And be wilderness-wise and
well-provisioned in case you get lost or your vehicle breaks down in the middle
of nowhere.
A
wiser choice for most travelers is to book an organized land or air tour. You'll
be in the hands of seasoned professionals who know how to avoid and survive
unexpected emergencies.
The
paved Stuart Highway cuts through the Outback from Australia's southern to
northern coasts. It is 2,800 kilometers (1700 miles) in length. Unfortunately,
Road Trains (trucks pulling three long trailers) plow down the highway at a fast
clip, as if they owned the roadway. Experienced outbacker drivers give them
leeway.
The
oasis town of Alice Springs is almost at the Stuart Highway's midpoint. Many
travelers use it as a base for exploring the nearby Ayers Rock (Uluru), Kings
Canyon (Watarrka), and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). Each is a Hillman Wonders
medalist. Click the buttons below to read my web pages on them.
View my other gold,
silver & bronze medal
winners in Australia
 
My Australian slang
guide for travelers
What every visitor should know.
My Australian cuisine guide
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