Australia’s best outback experiences

Rustic charm, cheery locals and refreshing ales are just a few of the reasons that Australia’s outback pubs are an unmissable experience. Pay a visit to one of the quaint, family-owned venues across the country and quench your thirst with a classic lager, or treat yourself to a hearty meat pie. Plus, the staff behind the bar are sure to share their insider tips for the local area.

Australia’s outback stations are vast and beautiful, offering authentic adventure by day and cosy accommodation by night. Dive into Aussie farming culture by helping with daily tasks like mustering or cattle feeding. When you’ve finished getting your hands dirty with the farmers, you can embark on station tours, unwind in swimming holes or spot native wildlife.

There’s nothing quite as Aussie as a kangaroo hopping through the red sand desert with the warm sun glowing in the background. While a sighting can’t be guaranteed, rest assured that these cute and bouncy creatures are found almost everywhere outside of Australia’s cities, so you have a good change of ticking off this iconic experience. If you’d rather be sure, you can meet kangaroos at places like the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.

When the sun sinks beneath the outback horizon, it gives way to an uninterrupted sea of stars that is sure to take your breath away. Make the most of this sparkling scene while minimising your environmental footprint with nights spent sleeping under the open sky. Choose from campsites, outback stations and guided walks with purpose-built huts.

The outback gives you a real feeling of freedom. Embrace this feeling when you take off your kit and hop into an outdoor shower or bath. You’ll find al fresco bathing at outback stations and even at campsites. The outback’s wide open spaces give you ample privacy as you settle in under the shade of a eucalypt forest or wash away your worries gazing out at a sweeping vista.

With magnificent stretches of uninterrupted nature, the outback takes al fresco dining to a whole new level – especially in the Red Centre. Befriend fellow travellers with an exceptional shared buffet beneath the stars with Sounds of Silence, or indulge in an intimate and luxurious four-course meal with Tali Wiru. Whichever you choose, you’ll dine on rich native ingredients as you hear the music and stories of the local Aboriginal peoples – all with Uluru and the night sky as your venue.

Some of the best things in life are free – and that’s definitely true in the outback. The vision of the bright orange sun casting morning rays across the red sand desert draws visitors from across the globe. Wake up early to witness the break of day from any outback locale. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a particularly special place at sunrise when you’ll see shadows dance and disappear along the glowing red monolith.