The Australian Outback

The Australian Outback is considered by many to be the birthplace of adventure. Countless travelers come to the Outback every year to get away from the stresses and responsibilities of the modern world, workplace, and home. When visitors arrive, they are amazed at the tremendous diversity of the wildlife, plants, and adventure.

Indigenous people have long inhabited the lands of the Australian Outback and have learned to harness the powers of nature and live off of the harsh lands. Only in recent years has the rest of mankind begun to discover the beauty that lies within the Outback. European explorers occasionally traveled beyond the Blue Mountains that mark the entryway to the Outback during the early 1800s and the first Telegraph line across the Outback was constructed during the 1870s. Although the Outback is large and most of it has yet to be grazed by man's foot, it is one of the most exciting attractions in all of Australia. This is in large part due to the adventure travel opportunities that visitors can undertake.

Many visitors to the Australian Outback are obliged to drive their own vehicles or rent one from the locals. This type of exploration is not advised for first-time Outback visitors. Organized tours are popular for the casual traveler who might bring his or her family and friends. The Outback is full of remote areas and isolate roads that will require planning and adequately accessorized vehicles. Most vehicles that enter the Outback should be equipped with four-wheel drive. For visitors who plan on participating in extended adventures throughout the Outback, it is advised to bring extra supplies such as food, water, tools, and proper communication devices such as GPS and satellite phones.

The Stuart Highway can is the main road that travels through the Outback and the majority of attractions within the Outback can be reached by this road. The highway travels north-to-south across most of Australia and extends from Adelaide to Darwin. One of the great places to stop on an Outback adventure is Alice Springs. This small community is close to many of the top tourist attractions in the Outback. At this location you will be able to purchase souvenirs and witness beautiful sunsets. The Ayers Rock lies close to Alice Springs and is the main attraction near the tourist hot spot. Other important attractions within the Outback include:

The Olgas--This location is also known as Kata Tjuta, which means "many heads" to the native Australians. The Olgas is a group of close to 40 enormous rock masses that rise up and out of the desert. The rocks are red, round, and extremely large. A few of the rocks are packed closely together and can be passed through only by the narrow crevices that have been formed in between them. The largest of all the rocks is called Mount Olga and rises more than 300 meters (1500 feet) out of the desert. The rocks are a sacred location to the Aboriginal people of Australia and represent their deceased ancestors, among other things.

Kings Canyon--The cliffs of Kings Canyon can reach more than 300 meters in height and visitors are given the option of two different hikes through the park. One of the hikes takes visitors through the bottom of the gorge and ends with a beautiful view of the enormous canyon walls. The second trail is a steep climb that grazes along the top of the large canyons. Beautiful aerial views can be seen along this second hike and a location is passed through that locals call The Garden of Eden, because of its beauty and reliable waterhole that supplies nourishment to the lush, green plant life. For the more adventurous visitor, there is a 22 kilometer track that runs from Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs.

Mataranka--This community is home to around 400 locals who thrive off of tourism generated by Outback adventurers. The main attraction in this region is the Elsey National Park. This park is home to the Roper River and several natural hot springs. Roper River is a popular location for birdwatchers, bushwalkers, canoers, and fishers. Elsey National Park is a great place for explorers to find local Australian wildlife.

The Australian Outback is full of adventure at every corner. There is a location for all visitors, whether they are looking for a relaxing vacation away from home, or an exciting adventure that will leave them with lasting memories.