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The Australian Outback: Insider’s Guide to the Untamed Heart of Australia
Arnhem Land is a crown jewel in Australia's Northern Territory. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo
The insider advice on this page is from two of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for Australia: Drew Kluska and Kylie Damen of The Tailor.
Based in Adelaide in South Australia, a great wine capital of the world that is also known for its diverse food culture, Drew is originally a farm boy who studied agricultural science. His longtime friends now own some of the country’s biggest cattle and sheep stations and most influential wineries. Kylie, who grew up in the Riverland region of South Australia and has worked with Drew for two decades, also has deep connections, gained by exploring so much of her native country, from hiking in the Blue Mountains to finding rock art in the Northern Territory. She too lives in Adelaide and holds down the fort when Drew travels for business. They are equally comfortable sending you to camp with a private guide in the remotest outback, or zipping you to the Great Barrier Reef from your luxury lodge via helicopter. They are affiliated with an air desk in Seattle that can often find unbeatable fares in first and business class for international flights and bundle those with the domestic flights needed for your itinerary.
What is the Outback?
Iron-rich soil typifies Australia’s “Red Centre.” Photo: Tourism Northern Territory
The Australian Outback begins where the fields of crops end and pastoral country begins—a vast and varied landscape defined more by remoteness than by ecosystem. While often associated with red earth and arid plains, the Outback encompasses everything from rugged ranges and rocky escarpments to floodplains and savannahs. It’s a place of grand scale, where cattle and sheep stations span millions of acres and the horizon stretches endlessly.
What to See and Do
Don’t miss
The rock art in Arnhem Land and the Kimberley—it’s some of the most powerful storytelling you’ll find anywhere, and strikingly different from place to place. In Arnhem Land, you’ll see incredible x-ray-style rock art, layered with cultural meaning and often painted in vivid ochres. In the Kimberley, the Wandjina and Gwion Gwion art stands out, with some of it dating back tens of thousands of years. It’s a window into the world’s oldest living culture.
The Outback’s wildness has preserved rock art that is tens of thousands of years old. Photo: Ventura North
Don’t bother
Doing the Red Centre the same way as everyone else. Visiting Uluru has become a very structured, sanitized experience; if you simply can’t miss it, stay at Longitude 131°, where you can have a private view of the enormous rock from your tented chalet and enjoy a torchlit dinner under the southern stars (see “Meal worth the splurge,” below).
Most Underrated Place
The Flinders Ranges in South Australia. This area often flies under the radar, but it’s one of the most fascinating parts of the country. You’ve got this ancient, rugged landscape with Ediacaran fossils—literally the oldest evidence of life on Earth. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s got a sense of time and space you don’t find anywhere else.
Hidden Gem
Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory, is one of the largest parcels of Aboriginal-owned land in Australia, encompassing 37,000 square miles of untouched wilderness and culturally significant sites. It’s one of the only places in the country where the traditional culture has been preserved, because you must obtain a special permit to visit. Drew and Kylie know the few private guides who have been granted access to the region. Here you’ll encounter coral-laden coastlines, secluded billabongs, and vast rocky escarpments. Wildlife is plentiful, from giant saltwater crocodiles to small wallabies, dingoes, wild boar, and some 280 bird species.
What leaves the most lasting impression, though, is the incredible rock art. You can see the entire human history of Australia, dating back 40,000 years or more, depicted in these rocks—from the arrival of the Makassan people from Indonesia in the 18th century to the appearance of Europeans.
Cheap Thrill
The Bungle Bungles in the Kimberley. You don’t need to spend a fortune to be blown away by the sheer scale and strange beauty of this place. The beehive-shaped domes are like something from another planet, and just walking among them is an experience that punches well above its weight. It’s one of those places where the landscape does all the talking.
The Bungle Bungle Range is one of many natural wonders in Purnululu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Australia WA
Bragging rights
Drew and Kylie can arrange a helicopter flight to the remote Quinkan rock art site in Cape York, followed by time with a local Indigenous family. (This is also a smart way to make the most of a travel day between the Outback and the Great Barrier Reef.) The Quinkan works are some of the most significant ancient art in the world, and having someone from the community share their stories and cultural knowledge takes the experience to an entirely new level.
Where to Stay and Eat
Sunset by the pool at Finniss River Lodge. Photo: Finniss River Lodge
Best bang-for-your-buck accommodations
Finniss River Lodge stands out for value. It’s only a 90-minute drive from Darwin but feels like you’re a world away—big skies, floodplains, great wildlife, and proper Territory hospitality. All six rooms have the same magnificent view from their floor-to-ceiling picture windows. Rates are inclusive of everything from excellent food and wine to guided touring. Many of the staff members have lived in the Northern Territory all their lives and have some great stories to tell.
Best-value splurge accommodations
Chartering the Eclipse, a 50-foot, custom-designed catamaran, is one of the most memorable ways to experience the Kimberley. It’s a beautifully equipped yacht with all the comforts you’d expect: four spacious cabins, multiple indoor and outdoor lounge areas, and a crew that includes a private chef and expert guide. What makes it really special is the flexibility: You can access remote, untouched parts of the coastline that most travelers will never see, all at your own pace. Whether you’re fishing, exploring waterfalls, cruising past ancient rock formations, or just relaxing on deck with a glass of wine, you’ll feel like you’ve got the Kimberley all to yourself.
Charter the Eclipse to explore the coastline of Western Australia. Photo: Eclipse Expeditions
Dish to try
Chili mud crab in Darwin—there’s nothing quite like it. It’s messy, hands-on, full of flavor, and a proper Northern Territory experience. The mud crabs are fresh out of the local mangroves, and when cooked in a spicy, sticky chili sauce, they’re hard to beat. You’ll find it on the menu at a few good local spots, but Crustaceans on the Wharf is a classic go-to. It’s relaxed, right on the water, and a great spot to enjoy this Territory favorite as the sun sets over the harbor.
Meal worth the splurge
If you’re going to treat yourself to one unforgettable meal in the outback, make it Table 131 at Longitude 131°. Set under a blanket of stars with views to Uluru on the horizon, this open-air dining experience combines incredible regional produce, fine wines, and the sheer magic of the desert night. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a moment that captures the spirit of Central Australia in a truly memorable way.
The tented chalets at Longitude 131° sit in the shadow of Uluru. Photo: Baillie Lodges
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Best Times to Go
For the Top End (the northernmost part of the Northern Territory) and the Kimberley in Western Australia, April through July is ideal. It’s just after the wet season, so the waterfalls are still flowing, the landscape is green and fresh, and you’re not yet into the hotter, drier months. You get the benefit of cooler mornings and warm days without the humidity.
For the Red Centre and inland regions, June through August brings beautiful, crisp mornings and clear blue skies. The temperatures are comfortable during the day and you avoid the flies and searing heat that come later in the year.
Worst Times to Go
February and March can be unpleasant, particularly in the Top End and the Kimberley. It’s peak wet season, so you’re dealing with high humidity, heavy rain, and oppressive heat. That said, Mother Nature really puts on a show—the skies, the storms, the changing colors—that is pretty spectacular if you don’t mind the conditions.
January and February are the hottest months in the Red Centre.
Biggest Rookie Mistakes
Underestimating just how big and remote the Outback really is. People often don’t realize the sheer scale of it—the Kimberley alone is about the size of California, but with a population of less than 40,000.
Insisting on driving yourself to your remote Outback lodge. It is doable, but you will likely encounter wildlife and unpaved roads (not to mention driving on the opposite side). Hire a driver so you can enjoy the scenery—or better still, arrive in style by helicopter.
Can't-Miss Photo Op
Capture the iconic boab trees in the Kimberley, best photographed in the golden light of late afternoon. Their unusual shape and solitary presence feel almost surreal against the vast outback backdrop.
The Souvenirs
Bring home your own Aussie outback uniform with an Akubra hat and a pair of R.M. Williams boots. You can find stores selling these items in every city, but for a truly special experience, Drew and Kylie can snag you a private tour of the R.M. Williams factory in Adelaide, where you’ll see the 160-year-old machinery that turns out these celebrated boots.
Tipping Tip
Tipping in Australia isn’t customary and is never expected. You are welcome to tip for exceptional service, but you should never feel obligated.
Don’t Forget to Pack
A wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved, lightweight shirt with a collar—preferably in light colors: Australia’s sun is stronger than many expect, and even on cooler or overcast days UV exposure can catch people off guard.
Breathable layers are also key, especially in the desert where temperatures can drop quickly at night, plus a warm scarf for evenings.
Also bring a head net—when the flies are out, you’ll be glad you packed one—and a portable battery pack to keep your phone charged in remote locations.
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