Exploring Outback Australia: Choosing The Right Airport Gateway

Australia's Outback is a place of red deserts, blue skies, wide-open spaces, and spiritual Aboriginal places. There are no defined borders to the Outback, but you know you're there when the city feels like a distant memory, and you can see the horizon during the day or a dazzling array of stars at night. The best way to get to the Outback is by flying into one of the many airports, such as Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), or Yulara, and then renting a car to explore the vast landscapes and unique towns.

Flying to the Outback

The Australian Outback is a vast and captivating semi-arid region, covering over 70% of the country. It is known for its red deserts, blue skies, wide-open spaces, and spiritual Aboriginal sites. The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn months, from March to May and September to November, when temperatures are milder.

Flying is the most time-efficient way to reach the Outback, with Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar offering direct flights from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Alice Springs is known as the "Capital of the Outback" and is a great starting point for exploring the region. The flight from Sydney to Central Australia takes approximately three and a half hours.

For those with limited time, flying to Uluru or Alice Springs and then renting a car is a popular option. This allows for flexibility in exploring the surrounding areas, such as Kings Canyon. There are also tour operators, such as Outback by Air, that offer small group tours within New South Wales and beyond to The Kimberleys and Uluru. These tours depart from Bankstown Airport and utilise aircraft such as the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and the Beechcraft Super King Air.

If you're looking for a more remote and adventurous experience, consider flying to smaller airports like Kalgoorlie, Meekathara, or anywhere in the Northern Territory near Alice Springs. These locations offer a true Outback experience and provide the opportunity to explore lesser-known destinations.

The Outback is a unique and captivating destination, offering a blend of natural wonders, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you choose to explore it by air, road, or a combination of both, careful planning is essential to make the most of your time in this vast and diverse country.

Outback by Air Tours

The Outback by Air fleet includes the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, ideal for sightseeing with its high wings offering uninterrupted views, and the Beechcraft Super King Air, perfect for faster long-range travel. The maximum time spent in the air is two and a half hours per flight, with a maximum of 10 passengers and two crew members on board.

The Australian Outback, known for its red deserts, blue skies, and wide-open spaces, offers a stark yet captivating landscape. The best time to visit is during spring or fall, from March to May and September to November, when temperatures are milder and there is a lower risk of rainfall.

The Outback is home to a variety of attractions, including the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock), a monolith that attracts over 300,000 visitors each year. Other highlights include the Kangaroo Sanctuary, where orphaned kangaroos are cared for, and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a cluster of 30 stunning rock formations.

For those short on time, flying is the most time-efficient way to reach the Outback, with direct flights available from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs. From there, renting a car or joining a tour are popular options to explore the vast distances between Outback points of interest.

Towns and airports in the Outback

The Outback is a remote, vast, and sparsely populated area of Australia, covering more than 70% of the country. It is unified by a low human population density, a largely intact natural environment, and, in many places, low-intensity land uses such as pastoralism. The Outback is deeply ingrained in Australian heritage, history, and folklore, and its art has been a vogue subject, particularly in the 1940s.

Due to the size and scale of the Outback, it can be hard to pinpoint where it starts and ends. It is most often defined as anywhere in Australia's inland that is removed from large human settlements. While the Outback is often associated with arid climates, it encompasses a number of climatic zones, including tropical and monsoonal climates in the north, arid areas in the "red centre", and semi-arid and temperate climates in the south.

When it comes to visiting the Outback, flying is the easiest and most time-efficient way to get there. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar are the main airlines servicing Central Australia, with direct flights from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) Airport. The flight from Sydney to Central Australia takes about three and a half hours. If you have five days or less to explore the Outback, flying directly to Alice Springs or Ayers Rock is recommended to save time on long drives or train/bus rides.

However, if you have more time, driving is considered the best option for exploring the Outback. This allows you to visit out-of-the-way places via lesser-known routes and truly appreciate the vastness and diversity of the Australian landscape. Driving also offers the possibility of buying or renting a car, sharing a ride, or even doing a low-cost rental car relocation. Keep in mind that hiring a car in Australia, especially in the Northern Territory, can be expensive due to various additional charges.

Some notable towns and attractions in the Outback include:

• Alice Springs – Australia's only true outback city, known for its renowned First Nations art galleries. West of the town lie the West MacDonnell Ranges, featuring dramatic gorges such as Ormiston, Glen Helen, and Simpsons Gap.
• Uluru (Ayers Rock) – A monolith in the middle of the Outback, higher than the Eiffel Tower, attracting over 300,000 visitors annually. While climbing Uluru is considered disrespectful to the local Anangu people and dangerous, walking the 6.2 miles around its base is recommended, especially at sunset.
• Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) – A cluster of 30 stunning rock formations located near Uluru, best viewed at sunrise.
• Maree – An iconic outback town in South Australia, known for its pub, sunset-filled horizons, and the world's most unlikely yacht club.
• Coober Pedy – An underground mining town in South Australia, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, featuring unique "buildings" constructed underground due to the extreme heat.
• Broken Hill – An outback town in New South Wales, serving as a gateway to attractions such as Menindee Lakes, Mungo National Park, and the film-set-like village of Silverton.

Best time to visit the Outback

The Outback is a large area covering more than 70% of Australia, so the climate and weather patterns vary across the region. The Outback is stunning year-round, but the best time to visit for good weather is during the Australian winter, from May to October. During these months, the Outback experiences warm to hot days and cold nights, with temperatures in Alice Springs averaging 65-73°F and 65-78°F in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The conditions are perfect for hiking and exploring, and you won't have to deal with the extreme heat and flies that are common during the summer months.

Winter is also the busiest season in the Outback, especially during the Australian winter school holidays, so it is recommended to book flights and accommodation in advance. The dry season, from April/May to September/October, is considered the most comfortable time to visit the Outback, with pleasant daytime temperatures and mild nights. The beginning and end of the dry season can be a bit hot and humid, but there are fewer tourists and lower prices.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds and don't mind slightly hotter temperatures, autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are also good times to visit the Outback. During these seasons, temperatures stay between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, making it comfortable for outdoor activities before 10 am. However, keep in mind that these are the most popular times to visit, so you may want to check Australian school holiday dates to avoid peak travel times.

Regardless of the time of year you choose to visit the Outback, it's important to plan your trip carefully due to the vast distances between points of interest. Flying is the easiest and most time-efficient way to get to the Outback, with direct flights available from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Once you arrive, you can rent a car or join a tour to explore the area. Alternatively, if you have more time, driving is a great option to see the Outback at your own pace and discover hidden gems along the way.

Things to do in the Outback

The Outback is a unique and rugged landscape, full of life and adventure. With so much to see and do, it is a popular destination for tourists wanting to explore the heart of Australia.

Getting There

The Outback is vast, so flying is the easiest and most time-efficient way to get there. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar offer direct flights to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. These flights can take around three and a half hours. From smaller cities, you may need to catch a connecting flight.

If you have more time, driving is a great option to explore the Outback. You can hire a car and take your time travelling between destinations, or even try a rental car relocation, where you can hire a car for a very low rate and drive it to a specific location by a certain date.

Things to Do

The Outback offers a range of attractions and activities for all ages. Here are some ideas:

• Uluru / Ayers Rock: This iconic monolith, higher than the Eiffel Tower, attracts over 300,000 visitors each year. It is a sacred site for the local Anangu people, so instead of climbing it, you can walk the 6.2-mile base and admire it at sunset.
• Kata Tjuta / The Olgas: A cluster of 30 stunning rock formations, best viewed at sunrise.
• Kings Canyon: Located 350km from Alice Springs, some say this destination is even better than Uluru.
• Lake Eyre: Australia's largest lake is a spectacular sight, rated as a top travel experience.
• Port Augusta: Where the desert meets the sea, this is a great base for exploring other destinations.
• Cooper Pedy: Known as the "Opal Capital of the World", located between Alice Springs and Port Augusta, it is a unique tourist attraction where you can try your hand at noodling for opals.
• The Simpson Desert: A magical and beautiful place, offering camping and desert track exploration.
• Alice Springs Desert Park: Learn about the Outback's Aboriginal culture, environment, plants, and animals.
• Birdsville's Big Red Bash: Held every July, this is the most remote music festival on the planet, attracting thousands to its remote location.
• Charleville's Cosmos Centre: On a clear night, view the Milky Way Galaxy through powerful telescopes, unaffected by light pollution.
• Dinosaur Attractions: Outback Queensland boasts the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils, the Dinosaur Stampede trackways, and the Dinosaur Canyon Walk with life-size bronze dinosaurs.
• The Qantas Founders Museum: Go behind the scenes of Qantas's history, with replica aircraft, interpretive displays, and impressive artifacts.
• The Innamincka Hotel: Experience traditional Outback hospitality, with eco-certified tours, kayaking, and cruises on Cooper Creek.

With so much to offer, the Outback promises an unforgettable journey through Australia's unique and diverse landscape.

Frequently asked questions