The best of THE OUTBACK
Understanding the outback and its place in Australia is a task as limitless as the landscape itself. One thing is for sure though: a journey into the outback is one you won’t soon forget. Hair-raising ascents to the top of a mountain, close encounters with a crocodile, stories from a 50,000-year-old culture and nights spent sleeping under a vast and vibrant canopy of stars are just some of the unbelievable experiences you’ll ϔind in outback Australia.
Cooktown is a reathtakingly eautiful and relatively unspoilt region A REGIONAL SHOWCASE of the Cape York Peninsula, easily reached via a 45-minute ϐlight or four-hour drive from Cairns. Time your adventure to this remote part of Australia to coincide with this yearǯs Cooktown xpo, held from ͳ uly to 4 August. This three-week regional event celerates ʹ5Ͳ years of shared history etween Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, centred around the ϐirst recorded act of reconciliation. The momentous incident occurred when Captain Cookǯs ship, was damaged after it hit the reat arrier eef at high tide, leading Cook and his crew to spend 4ͺ days in The Endeavour,
Cooktown ȋpreviously known as aymurrȌ with local Indigenous Australians. This, along with the ϐirst sightings of kangaroos, crocodiles, dingoes, possums and other native Australian species, is what Cooktown is known for. The action-packed expo program includes the econciliation ocks usic Festival, Cooktown iscovery Festival and ndeavour Festival, as well as other live performances y Troy Cassar- aley, usy arou and au Power, a re-enactment of the Captain Cook landing, kidsǯ rides, family entertainment, workshops, ush-tucker tastings and much more. cooktown2020.com Aboriginal experiences in outback South Australia An extraordinary 800-million-year-old natural amphitheatre is situated in the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, only 450 kilometres north of Adelaide. It’s known as Wilpena Pound (Ikara) and is the traditional homeland of the Adnyamathanha (Yura) people. The only accommodation within the National Park, Wilpena Pound Resort offers hotel rooms, ‘glamping’ safari tents and an extensive bush campground. As one of only a few Aboriginal-owned and -operated resorts in Australia, the hallmark feature of the resort is its cultural experiences. Uncover the rich history and mystique of ancient and contemporary Aboriginal culture, as Yura guides provide an unrivalled insight into their timeless land, one of Australia’s natural wonders. Join an Indigenous cultural walk or 4WD tour of the surrounding gorges, or take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound, the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre, the world’s largest salt lake. wilpenapound.com.au | 1800 805 802
Inspiring ourneys invites you to explore the outack in an intimate A TRULY IMMERSIVE EXPLORATION group setting, sharing your experience with no more than ʹͲ guests. Inspiring ourneysǯ outack itineraries take you eyond the well-trodden path to experience hidden gems that reϐlect the ancient soul of our great southern land. From a natural inϐinity pool overlooking akadu ational Park, to witnessing the sunset over luru, discover the icons from a new perspective where access is only permitted for smaller groups. Indulge and discover local ϐlavours, and relax in specialty dwellings deep in the heart of a national park and outack lodges under a million stars as right as the desert moon. Immerse yourself in the regionǯs ancient history and gain understanding from the passionate people who live here. Your perfect Inspiring ourneys adventure awaits. inspiringjourneys.com | 1300 551 694
Experience the wonder at Arkaroola Step back in time into the haunting beauty of the oldest part of the Flinders, with its spectacular rugged peaks towering above epic outback plains. A 610-square-kilometre conservation reserve located in South Australia’s spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola’s unique geological, scenic and ecological significance is recognised through the Arakoola Protection Act (2012). Travel from the depths of ancient seabeds to the top of the Flinders, at Sillers Lookout, on the renowned Ridgetop Tour. Watch for the shy, endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby by ancient waterfalls, take a scenic flight, or explore the ancient wonderland via the reserve’s huge network of walking trails and 4WD tracks. Guests can also tour the universe from a professionally equipped observatory, taking advantage of some of the best night skies for astronomy in Australia. With a wide range of accommodation and camping, a bar and licensed restaurant, swimming pool and fuel all onsite, your comfort is assured. Stay and experience it all and more at Arakoola. arkaroola.com.au | (02) 8648 4848 ARNHEM LAND’S NEW
Banubanu is located on Bremer sland, North East Arnhem Land Ȃ ECO-FRIENDLY BEACH RESORT just a 15-minute flight from Gove Airport in the pristine waters off the coast of Nhulunbuy, which is easily accessed by airplane from both Darwin and Cairns. An eco-sensitive retreat, Banubanu’s simplicity is its appeal. Guests can choose from five beachfront glampsites, private rooms or an elevated exclusive penthouse, all comfortably furnished, fan cooled, and with ensuites and covered decks with sea views. The retreat accommodates only 12 guests at a time with an elevated restaurant, bar and pool overlooking the western bay, offering stunning views of the Arafura Sea. All meals are prepared by the onsite chef and shared with other guests in the chilled-out common area. Activities to be enjoyed at the resort include blue-water fishing, Aboriginal cultural tours, birdwatching, turtle-nesting or simply relaxing amid the peaceful surrounds of the beautiful East Arnhem Land. banubanu.com | (08) 8987 8085 Outback adventure at the Onslow Beach Resort Experience Western Australia’s coastal outback at Onslow Beach Resort, the gateway to the Mackerel Islands. This absolute beachfront resort offers relaxed sophistication – a welcome change after travelling through the remote, rugged beauty of the Pilbara region. Located on the mid-coast of Western Australia between Exmouth and Karratha, a two-hour flight from Perth, the sparkling new Onslow Beach Resort promises stylish comfort, fantastic food and spectacular waterfront views along a red-sand beach. Stay in modern self-contained apartments overlooking the pool or ocean and enjoy a bite to eat or a chilled drink at The Beach Club restaurant and bar. Resort facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, onsite BBQs, a gym and tour desk, as well as free wi-fi, Foxtel, Avis car hire and ample parking. onslowbeachresort.com.au | (08) 9184 6586
THE MAGIC OF THE
scape to the ackerel slands for a holiday full of MACKEREL ISLANDS adventure and relaxation, just a two-hour flight north of
erth, or an epic ͳͶͲͲ-kilometre coastal drive from the city. A collection of ͳͲ islands and atolls off the coast of nslow in estern Australia, the ackerel slands welcome guests to two of these Ȃ Thevenard sland and Direction sland Ȃ where you’ll find accommodation, facilities, activities and tours all available. tay in a choice of beachfront cabins with stunning ocean views or, for the ultimate wilderness escape, rent your own island with a sole beach shack. pot sea turtles, whales and dolphins, snorkel among colourful fish, jump on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, hire a boat and cruise around the bay, stargaze in awe while soaking up the uietness, or join a skipper on one of the island’s sensational fishing charters. This is the amazing, off-the-beaten-track experience you’ve been looking for. mackarelislands.com.au | (08) 9184 6444 An ancient outback oasis An authentic outback experience awaits you in this 2.5-billion-year-old nature oasis located in the remote and rugged Pilbara region of Western Australia. Karijini Eco Retreat – located in the heart of the world-class Karijini National Park – is your base as you explore the cavernous gorges, tranquil rock pools, epic waterfalls, and native flora and fauna of the park. This unique and ecologically sound retreat is situated just a few hundred metres from the spectacular Joffre Gorge, and offers safari-style tent accommodation with hotel-style bedding and ensuites, as well as dorm cabins and caravan-friendly powered campsites from just $20 per person per night. There’s an onsite alfresco restaurant and bar to enjoy, and guided tours are available from April to October. Open all year, Karijini Eco Retreat welcomes guests from all over the world to start their outback adventure here. karijiniecoretreat.com.au | (08) 9425 5591 ARTESIAN BATHS AND
algett, ightning idge and urren unction come to life in winter, COUNTRY HOSPITALITY when the town’s ore aths open to the public for a relaxing, therapeutic soak in the hot mineral waters. ach bath is fed by the ʹͲͲ-million-year-old water in The Great Artesian asin Ȃ one of the world’s largest freshwater basins Ȃ which travels from over a kilometre underground to reach the surface. aintaining a constant temperature of Ͷͳ.ͷ degrees elsius and rich in potassium salts, the baths are known for rehydrating the skin, replenishing the body’s cells, relaxing muscles and easing joint pain. or diehard fans, the Great Artesian Drive embraces a further five hot artesian spa facilities amid the tranuil settings of north-west ew outh
ales. ome for a steamy soak under a starry night sky and stay for the country hospitality along with a multitude of attractions. greatartesiandrive.com.au