Outback Way

From Winton, Queensland to Laverton, Western Australia via the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, The Outback Way, carves a well-worn 2700km track through the heart of Australia. It’s Australia’s Great Road Trip. Unearth the magic and immerse yourself in a journey like never before.

It’s a road trip that lets you sink into the peaceful colours of the Australian Outback, where your odometer collects memories with every kilometre. Whether you are zig-zagging the nation or you want a shorter invigorating getaway to awaken your senses - you’ll marvel at nature’s diversity, feel the cool waters in shimmering gorges wash over you, be inspired by the unique architecture of every mountain range, and hear the desert oaks whisper in their majestic forests.

Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, pioneering heritage, follow the Art Trail, get into the country spirit of an outback festival, and enjoy the outback hospitality at every town you pull into. All roads lead to Winton to join the Outback Highway from Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane and Rockhampton. At Winton be thrilled at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, hear the story of Waltzing Matilda and take in a movie at the open-air cinema.

Spend some time at the Qantilda Museum, Musical Fence or Arno’s Wall before heading west stopping at the Middleton Hotel constructed in the Cobb and Co era of horse drawn coaches. Marvel at the flat-topped Cawnpore Hills before arriving in Boulia on the banks of the Burke River. Got a 4WD? From Winton take it through one of two routes; Bladensburg National Park where you can camp another night. You are on the back way to Winton via Lark Quarry site of a dinosaur stampede, or head back towards Boulia via Urandangie (the most western weather station in Qld) - turn left not far over the Qld border and head north, then connect back onto the Mt Isa/Boulia Rd. Either camp or make it back to Boulia for dinner at the Australian Hotel.

Visit the Min Urandangi Encounter where you will meet eccentric true-blue Aussie ‘characters’ such as Bluey, Mrs McGreal and more who will enthral you with their stories of the mysterious Min Min lights. As well as telling the story of Boulia the Heritage Complex is also home to 100-million-year-old fossils of marine reptiles which were abundant in this area when it was an inland sea.

Boulia boasts a Plesiosaur fossil which is 80% complete and is among the world’s best discoveries. Heading further west cross the majestic Georgina River and onto the gravel to the QLD/NT Border. Through Tobermorey Station and Roadhouse to Gemtree, so named for the Garnet and Zircon gems that can be found there.

Onto Alice Springs, after seeing all the many attractions of the Alice head south to Erldunda and west again through Curtain Springs to Yulara, Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Then through Docker River and across the border into WA. Warakurna is a dry community with a roadhouse and accommodation. Both Warakurna and Warburton (another dry community) have fabulous Indigenous art. Tjukayirla (dry community) has fuel and food, the last stop before Laverton where you can immerse yourself in the area’s history and fossick for gold.

From Laverton there’s connections to Kalgoorlie, the Golden Outback, Perth and the Coral Coast. A grand adventure on Australia’s longest shortcut. Note that the Outback Highway is a mixture of bitumen and unsealed roads, check road conditions before you travel and ensure your vehicle is suitable for the conditions.

Places of Interest

PERTH - Sandy beaches line its suburbs, and the huge, riverside Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Mount Eliza offer sweeping views of the city.

LEONORA - The largest commercial centre north of Kalgoorlie and offers many services and facilities for travellers to enjoy.

LAVERTON - Small town with many hidden surprises, from spinifex plains, mulga woodlands and unique granite rock outcrops.

ULURU/AYERS ROCK - One of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Uluru is a deeply spiritual place 550 million years old.

ALICE SPRINGS - Famous for its beautiful desert, colourful outback characters, opportunities for adventure and a strong Aboriginal culture.

BOULIA - Rare birds and trees, prehistoric dinosaurs of the deep and centuries old buildings.

WINTON - Winton has a rich history with links to the Great Shearers’ Strike, Waltzing Matilda and Qantas.

TOWNSVILLE - Coastal city in north east Queensland, offers diverse experiences from the Great Barrier Reef to the World Heritage Wet Tropics.

CAIRNS - The only place on the planet where two World Heritage Wonders sit side by side. Here, the world’s largest reef – The Great Barrier Reef meets the Daintree Rainforest.