The Ultimate Guide to the Australian Outback

The Australian outback is one of the most captivating locations you could ever hope to visit, drawing visitors from around the world with its awe-inspiring landscapes and timeless beauty. 

As alluring as the outback is, it can be more than a little daunting. That’s why it’s critical to be well-prepared as you make your way through this sunburnt country. To put your mind at ease, we’ve put together some essential outback travel tips to ensure your safety on your outback adventure, as well as a guide to our favourite outback destinations!

Outback Travel Tips

1. Be Prepared 

Aerial view of a vehicle driving on a dirt roaqd through the desert as the sun peeks over the horizon

‘Going bush’ can be an unforgettable experience, but you need to have some cautionary measures in place in case of an emergency. An ample reserve of drinking water is a necessity in any situation, but is particularly crucial in the harsh conditions of the outback. Stay hydrated and stay out of the sun wherever possible — prolonged exposure will lead to a loss of fluids, and potentially to sunburn and even sunstroke, which could drastically impact your health and the enjoyment of your journey. 

Whether you’re a novice explorer or a seasoned backpacker, you will most definitely benefit from preparing a survival kit. Include things like a first aid kit, torch, bottles of water, some candles, a knife, batteries, and some tinned food — the basics that will assist you in emergency situations. 

Most of the time, the survival kit is completely unnecessary, but if you truly want to experience the Australian outback, it may come in very handy indeed. 

3. Safety In Numbers

The Australian bush can be quite demanding, and taking on the challenge of exploring the outback alone could land you in some unfortunate situations. Be sure to always travel in groups — either with friends or, better yet, a tour group with an experienced guide — to have that security in case of an injury and to avoid getting lost. 

Besides, this is the sort of experience you’ll want to share with other people, anyway — the bonds you forge in the outback could last a lifetime!

3. Stay On Target

Yellow diamond road safety sign with a kangaroo

One of the thrills of exploring the Australian outback is the feeling of going ‘off the beaten path’. That thrill-seeking spirit might even tempt you into deviating from the highway. Although this might seem like a good way to spice up your journey, it’s also a guaranteed way to get lost. 

Be sure to stick to the highways, but don’t worry — you’ll still find lots of small towns and roadhouses on your travels, and you’ll definitely meet some unique and friendly local characters at these stops to add to your collection of stories from the road. Roadhouses also give you a chance to restock your supplies and take that much-needed shower. 

Some of our recommended pitstops include Coober Pedy in South Australia, Emerald in Queensland, Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, and Kununurra in Western Australia.

4. Drive Safely 

It’s essential that you have safe and reliable transport. In the harsh conditions of the outback, it’s crucially important to ensure your vehicle is in perfect working order — so if you’re travelling by car, check the water, oil and brakes and never travel without a spare tyre. 

Of course, when you travel aboard a Greyhound, you don’t have to worry about this — as one of the oldest coach companies in the world, with a safety record that’s second to none, we’ll always ensure you arrive at your destination in a safe and timely manner!

5. Leave Yourself Some Wiggle Room

Aerial view of a remote roadhouse service station in the middle of a desert

Creating a travel itinerary is a necessary step of planning your outback experience. If you’re not travelling on a Greyhound or with a tour group, you’ll need to take the time to map out locations along the way where you can stop and replenish your supplies, and fill up on petrol and other necessities, as the distances between stops can be quite significant. It’s always a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend, too. 

Of course, while it’s important to be thoroughly prepared, you don’t want your trip to be so restricted that you can’t take advantage of spontaneous opportunities for exploration and fun when they present themselves. When you visit Uluru, for instance, you’ll kick yourself if you haven’t given yourself the time to explore the breathtaking expanse of this magnificent Australian icon. 

It’s particularly easy to change your plans on the fly when you have a flexible Whimit Pass. When you Whimit, you can travel on any bus on Australia’s largest coach network, on any route and in any direction, for the amount of days you choose!

So leave yourself some room to manoeuvre in your itinerary, and just make sure you let someone know when your plans change!  

6. Don’t Feed the Animals 

Two large red kangaroos stand amidst desert grass

Australia is known around the world for its unique wildlife and super cute animals — but there are some Australian national treasures that are a good idea to avoid while you’re in the outback. 

You should give crocodiles, dingoes, snakes and spiders a wide berth, as well as various lizards. And as cute as they are, it’s also best to steer clear of kangaroos and koalas, as they can become dangerous if they feel threatened. 

Dream Outback Destinations

Visitors to the Australian outback are treated to a buffet of sights, attractions and natural wonders that we locals are often guilty of overlooking or taking for granted. Here are some spectacular Australian destinations you absolutely must see!

1. Kakadu National Park

Aerial view of a twin waterfall plunging into a deep canyon surrounded by red cliffs

Australia’s largest terrestrial national park, this World Heritage-listed site covers over 20,000 square kilometres (that’s over 7,700 square miles) and is home to a range of rare and endemic plants and animals. Visitors can enjoy world class hikes and nature walks, or simply lay back and bask in the beauty of awe-inspiring waterfalls, crystal pools and rock formations! 

Kakadu is located about 240km (149mi) east of Darwin in the Northern Territory, and stretches from northern coastlines and estuaries through floodplains, billabongs and lowlands to southern rocky ridges and stone country. It’s best appreciated from June to August, when hot days couple with cool nights to give you equal time for adventures and bush fire banter. 

2. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Large red sandstone rock rises above desert plains

If you haven’t heard of Uluru, you’ve probably been living under a rock — the world’s biggest rock, maybe! 

Uluru is essentially a 3.5km (2.2mi) rock that sits just west of the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory, about 460km (286mi) south west of Alice Springs. The rock stands just under 350m (1,148ft) high, but the bulk of it is underground — 2.5km (1.5mi) deep. 

More than 600 million years old, Uluru is sacred to Indigenous Australians, and is particularly beautiful in spring (September to November), when the wildlflowers bloom and mild temperatures make exploring the area that little bit easier. 

Uluru is the place to see what might be the most awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets you will ever witness with your own eyes, as the majestic rock appears to change colour when day turns into night and back again. 

Uluru is also home to internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro’s spectacular Field of Light installation. When the sun sets, you can immerse yourself amongst 50,000 glittering stems crowned with frosted glass spheres covering an area the size of seven football fields, literally illuminating Uluru!

Note that Greyhound Australia does not travel directly to Uluru. You will need to book a tour or hire a car in Alice Springs, our nearest stop.

3. The Kimberley

Tranquil, still body of water reflecting tall stone cliffs

Set in one of the most remote areas of Australia, The Kimberley is home to some of the country’s most stunning natural wonders. 

With a population of just 40,000 people spread out over 423,000 square kilometres, or 162,000 square miles — roughly equivalent to the size of Spain — it’s easier to think of The Kimberley as its own country, rather than as a single geographical feature. 

Here in northern Western Australia, you’ll find vast cattle stations, pristine empty beaches, unspoiled rainforests and truly iconic outback landscapes. The Kimberley is home to the famous Bungle Bungles, as well as Broome’s beautiful coastline, several endangered species, and one of the longest surviving cultures on Earth. 

Most tourists visit The Kimberley from May to August, as the land is lush from the wet season, and most roads and attractions should be open. 

For more information on getting to Broome, the gateway to The Kimberley, click here

4. Coober Pedy

Brightly lit underground tunnel in opal mine

Known as the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy is located in South Australia, 883km from Adelaide.

The majority of the town, including shops, accommodation, and other local attractions, is actually underground due to the extreme desert climate!

Some of the top activities including taking a guided opal mine tour and seeing the beautiful Breakaways, a striking rocky landscape of flat-topped mesas.

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