The Coolest Attractions in the Australian Outback

Did you know that the outback covers more than 70% of Australia? This remote, vast and sparsely populated area spans across almost every state, from Western Australia to New South Wales and everywhere in between. That means there’s a lot to explore! 

If you’ll soon be flying to the land down under and need some help figuring out which outback destinations to visit, keep on reading. We’ve rounded up the best of the best attractions in and surrounding the “Red Centre”.

• Uluru (Ayers Rock)
• Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
• Kings Canyon
• Kakadu National Park
• Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine Gorge)
• Lake Eyre
• The Kimberley
• Simpson Desert
• Alice Springs
• Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
• Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre

Go big or go home, right? This 600-million-year-old sandstone formation, located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, is the largest monolith in the world — and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Australia. 

While tourists must refrain from hiking to the top of Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) for spiritual reasons, there’s still plenty to do here. You can marvel at the structure from a viewing platform, walk the 10-kilometre trail around its base or visit the nearby cultural centre to learn about the local Aboriginal people. Make sure to stick around to watch the sun go down! Uluru was recently named the most beautiful sunset destination. 

It’s a bit obvious, but we’re gonna say it anyway: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is the place to go in the Australian outback if you’re interested in seeing large rock formations. Kata Tjuta, otherwise known as The Olgas, is a group of domed bornhardts located only a short drive (less than one hour!) from Ayers Rock.

These ochre-coloured domes obviously look impressive from afar, but we recommend you get up close and personal by walking the scenic Valley of the Winds trail. While there are some steep sections along the way, the views are worth the effort. This three-hour hike will take you between the domes, across creek beds and up to some incredible lookouts.

Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park is an absolute must-see. The 300-metre-high sandstone walls are beyond breathtaking, whether you marvel at them from the ground or from the sky (this is a great place for helicopter rides!).

There are lots of trails and 4x4 tracks in the area, but the Kings Canyon Rim walk is the most iconic route. Along this six-kilometre path, you’ll pass natural rock pools, including the Garden of Eden; a landmark known as Priscilla’s Crack; and plenty of native flora and fauna. 

In addition, Kings Canyon offers opportunities to learn about local Aboriginal culture and some fantastic dining experiences. If you stay at Kings Canyon Resort, for example, you can book a five-course dinner under the stars at a secret outback location.

If you want to learn even more about Australia’s ancient Aboriginal culture, make sure to stop by Kakadu National Park. Approximately 50% of this archaeological and ethnological reserve — and UNESCO World Heritage Site — is officially recognized as Aboriginal land. 

For a glimpse into the past, check out the Burrungkuy rock art site. Aboriginal people have been recording their history here for thousands of years; everywhere you look, there are ancient stories being told. 

Kakadu National Park is also one of the best outback destinations for viewing wildlife. Comprised of a wide range of ecosystems, including savannah woodlands, floodplains, mangroves, tidal mudflats and monsoon forests, you’ll likely come across crocodiles, birds and other native species.

There are countless ways to explore Nitmiluk Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park (formerly known as Katherine Gorge National Park). You can hike, canoe or book a scenic flight. And honestly, you can’t go wrong with any option. That said, we recommend you stay as close to the water as possible. 

Thanks to the force of the Katherine River, there are 13 gorges just waiting to be discovered. From waterfalls and natural rock pools to ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, each gorge offers something unique. If you want to check out a mix of historic and natural sites, this national park is one of the best places to visit in the Australian outback. 

The Australian outback is home to several salt lakes, including Lake Hart, Lake Ballard and Lake Lefroy, among others. But it’s Lake Eyre, the largest salt lake in the country, that catches the attention of most visitors. 

When dry, you can expect a vast landscape of pink, orange and yellow hues. It’s a truly gorgeous sight to be seen — and should be captured on camera, whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer. Of course, you could get lucky enough to see this attraction in an entirely different way. Approximately every 8–10 years, Lake Eyre fills from floods and heavy rainfall, making it a hospitable place for greenery and exotic birds.

The Kimberley is technically a region, but we couldn’t help including it on this list. That’s because it’s home to some of the top attractions in the Australian outback, including:

• Roebuck Bay: A beautiful wetland area where you can view migrating shorebirds and the “Staircase to the Moon” phenomenon.
• Purnululu National Park: Yet another place to view jaw-dropping geological formations, including the striped Bungle Bungle Range. 
• Lake Argyle: A man-made freshwater reservoir with more than 70 islands speckled across its surface. Seems like the perfect spot to catch a sunset cruise, if you ask us.

There are also some beautiful spots to swim and soak up the sun in the Kimberley Region. Cable Beach, Reddell Beach and Town Beach are among our favourites.

When you think of the Australian outback, images of the Simpson Desert probably come to mind. Made up of over 1,000 parallel red sand dunes (some of which are more than 200 kilometres long!), it’s the fourth-largest desert in the country. In fact, it’s big enough to span three Australian states.

If you’re travelling in the Northern Territory, don’t miss your chance to go four-wheeling. While there are organized tours available from the town of Alice Springs, you can also choose to navigate the sandy terrain on your own (try the Binns Track or Old Andado Track). If you’re in Queensland, you’ve got to go sandboarding at the 40-metre-high dune known as Big Red.

Alice Springs is known as the gateway to the outback because of its close proximity to some of the region’s top attractions — it’s less than 500 kilometres away from Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. Not only that, but this quintessential desert town offers visitors plenty of unique ways to explore the surrounding area. You can fly in a hot air ballon, ride camels and more.

Of course, that’s not the only reason to visit Alice Springs. The town’s Aboriginal history, traditional owners (the Arrernte people) and beautiful lands are widely celebrated by locals via art galleries, museums, botanical gardens, reptile centres and other attractions. No wonder this is a such a popular spot for tourists! 

This is another destination that epitomizes the Australian outback. Located just outside the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy, Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park comprises more than 35,000 acres of colourful hills and sandstone structures.

Despite feeling as if you’ve landed on another planet (it’s so red and so arid that it’s been compared to Mars), there are a lot of plants and animals to discover in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for acacia and mallee trees, red kangaroos, echidnas and fat-tailed dunnarts, among other species. The park was actually named for its ability to provide protection to this incredible array of wildlife; “Kanku” means shelter. 

You might think that visiting the other destinations on this list is the best way to get a sense of what life is like in the Australian outback — and it’s true! But that doesn’t mean you should ignore more classic attractions like the Australian Stockman’s museum in Queensland.

Here, you can discover the region’s rich history thanks to a series of themed galleries, cinematic experiences and live shows. Find out what it means to be a pioneer, learn about the impact the stock industry had on Australia’s diverse landscapes and environments, hear stories about the people who are at the heart of the outback and more.

Ready to explore the outback and more destinations in Australia? Check out our latest travel deals, or chat with a consultant today.