Outback Tours

The sheer expanse of the Australian Outback is breathtaking. This vibrant red land is a mosaic of living aboriginal cultures, dreamtime legends, cool rock pools, shady gorges, red sand dunes, unique flora and fauna and dramatic rock formations.

The term outback refers to the remote and arid interior country of Australia, although it is also used today to refer loosely to any country outside of the main urban areas. The term outback is generally reserved for locations that are more remote than those areas described as being in "the bush". The outback is not officially recognised within any governmental frameworks or boundaries. Some local government entities use the term to enhance the tourist appeal for their region.

Organised package tours to the outback are popular, although many Australian and international tourists prefer to travel in their own vehicles. Such self-drive tours, particularly on the more remote outback dirt roads, require careful planning and an appropriate vehicle, usually four wheel drive. On remote outback tours, plenty of supplies and equipment including food, water and fuel should be carried. Some tours in more remote areas of the outback should not be undertaken with a single vehicle: a convoy approach (or tag-along tour) should be considered instead. Deaths from tourists becoming stranded on outback tours are relatively common, and poorly prepared tourists are regularly rescued when stranded by breakdowns or bad weather.

Among the most popular outback tour destinations in Central Australia are Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon (Watarrka), Alice Springs, Palm Valley and the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Among the most popular outback tour destinations in the Top End are Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk), Mataranka and the Kimberley.