Ultimate Outback
'Outback' means different things to different people and in different parts of Australia − deserts, tropical savannah, wetlands... But what's consistent is the idea that it's far from the comforts of home. The outback is 'beyond the black stump' and holds many surprises.
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is the undisputed highlight of Central Australia. There's not much that hasn't been said about Uluru, and not many parts of it that haven't been explored, photographed and documented. Still, nothing can prepare you for its almighty bulk, spiritual stories, remarkable textures and camera-worthy colours.
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
The tallest dome of Kata Tjuta is taller than Uluru (546m versus 348m), and some say exploring these 36 mounded monoliths is a more intimate, moving experience. Trails weave in amongst the red rocks, leading to pockets of silent beauty and spiritual gravitas.
Watarrka (Kings Canyon)
In Watarrka National Park, about 300km north of Uluru by road, Kings Canyon is the inverse of Uluru − as if someone had grabbed the big rock and pushed it into the desert sand. Here, 270m-high cliffs drop away to a palm-lined valley floor, home to 600 plant species and delighted-to-be-here native animals. The 6km canyon rim walk is four hours well spent.
MacDonnell Ranges
The 'Macs' stretch east and west of Alice Springs. In their ancient folds are hidden worlds where rock wallabies and colourful birds can find water even on the hottest days.
Indigenous Art & Culture
The intricate and mesmerising art, stories and dances of Australia's Aboriginal peoples resonate with a deep association with the land itself. The outback is the best place to engage with Aboriginal cuture: take a cultural tour, hear spoken stories of the Dreaming, see galleries of ancient rock art or check out some contemporary canvasses in modern acrylics.
Cultural Tours
There's a proliferation of Indigenous-owned and -operated cultural tours across outback Australia – a chance to learn about the outback from the people who know it best. Sign up for a cultural tour in Darwin, Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land in the tropical north; and Alice Springs and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the red centre.
Rock Art
Evidence of Australia's ancient Indigenous culture can be found at the outdoor rock-art sites scattered across the outback. Highlights include the 5000-plus sites in Kakadu National Park that document a timeline of spirits from the Dreaming, extinct fauna, and remarkable 'contact art', portraying the interaction between Indigenous Australians, Macassan fishermen and early European settlers. Standout Kakadu sites include Ubirr and Nourlangie. More rock art can easily be seen at Nitmiluk and Keep River national parks, the MacDonnell Ranges near Alice, and Uluru.
Contemporary Indigenous Art
Contemporary Australian Indigenous art − the lion's share of which is produced in outback communities − has soared to global heights of late. Traditional methods and spiritual significance are fastidiously maintained, but often finding a counterpart in Western materials – the results can be wildly original interpretations of traditional stories and ceremonial designs. Dot paintings (acrylic on canvas) are the most recognisable form, but you may also see synthetic polymer paintings, weavings, barks, weapons, boomerangs and sculptures.
Indigenous Festivals
For an unforgettable Aboriginal cultural experience, time your outback visit to coincide with a traditional Indigenous festival. These celebrations offer visitors a look at Aboriginal culture in action. Witnessing a timeless dance and feeling the primal beats is a journey beyond time and place. The Northern Territory plays host to several indigenous festivals and events, including the popular Walking With Spirits in Beswick, Barunga Festival near Katherine, Merrepen Arts Festival at Daly River, and Arnhem Land's Stone Country Festival.
