Outback

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.

Outback tips & insights
Size
The Outback is approximately the size of Western Europe.

Name
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.

Land diversity
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.

When to go
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.

Exploring the Outback
You can do it 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.

Alternative option
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.

Stuart Highway
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.

Alice Springs
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 links below to read my web pages on them.
Ayers Rock / Uluru
Kings Canyon
The Olgas / Kata Tjura

Economy
Major commercial pursuits include mining and ranching. Cattle stations tend to be large - one occupies over 30,000 square kilometers (12,000 square miles).