Australian outback experiences

Visit a town built underground

South Australia’s outback is full of surprises. In the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, just under nine hours from Adelaide, most people live underground in a bid to beat the summer heat. Here, you can visit houses, cafes and churches all carved into the earth, but perhaps the most immersive way to experience the Coober Pedy way of life is to sleep underground. The Desert Cave Hotel is dug into the sandstone hillside in the main street of town. A good night's sleep is pretty much guaranteed: rooms are quiet and pitch black when you turn off the light.

Drive the Nullarbor Plain

Another of South Australia’s outback experiences is all about the freedom of the open road. Embark on a self-drive adventure along the Eyre Highway, which stretches long and straight across the Nullarbor Plain between Adelaide and Perth. Feel the vast outback beneath your wheels as you spot wild camels and kangaroos, go whale watching on a clifftop lookout, and explore hidden caves. You can even play the world’s longest golf course – it's an unbelievable 1,365 kilometres (849 miles) long, with a hole at each town or roadhouse along the way.

Uncover a network of gorges

Less than four hours from Darwin lies one of the most adventurous outback experiences in the country. There are several ways you can explore Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, a chain of 13 spectacular gorges that wind between towering rock cliffs in Nitmiluk National Park near the Top End town of Katherine. You can fly through it in a helicopter, take a sunrise or sunset cruise to see the red rock walls morph into a million shades of mauve, or follow one of the many walking trails.

But if you really want to see the extraordinary gorge up close the best way is by kayak. Paddle to spots the tour boats can't reach and even camp out overnight if you like. Hire your kayaks at the visitors’ centre, and don’t miss your chance to take a refreshing dip in one of the many swimming holes.

Marvel at some of the world's oldest art

Another indescribable outback experience is the viewing of rock art created over 20,000 years ago by the world’s oldest living culture. The World Heritage-listed rock art galleries of Kakadu National Park are some of the best in the world. The galleries are marvellous to look at, but when you see them on a tour with a local expert, you’ll see the paintings come alive with the stories and meanings behind them.

Witness a staircase to the moon

One of Western Australia’s most mesmerising outback experiences happens only after the sun goes down. Three nights a month, between March and October, the coastal town of Broome in the remote Kimberley region, celebrates one of outback Australia's most unbelievable sights: the Staircase to the Moon. A natural phenomenon caused by a rising full moon reflecting off the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, it really does look like a stairway to heaven. Markets are held on the first two nights, with lots of entertainment, food stalls and didgeridoo performances.

Gaze up at a starry outback sky

You’ll have to turn your eyes to the skies to experience one of New South Wales’ most magical outback views. Warrumbungle National Park, near the town of Coonabarabran in central western New South Wales, is Australia's first dark sky park, where the skies are guaranteed to be free of light pollution. Spot the stars on your own, or check out the largest telescopes in Australia at the nearby Siding Springs Observatory.