WHAT TO SEE & DO, WHEN TO VISIT, HOW TO TRAVEL, WHERE TO STAY IN THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
Two of Australia’s breathtaking outback regions have been highlighted as ‘must-visit’ destinations for 2026.
National Geographic has called out the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on its list of the “most awe-inspiring, meaningful and immersive travel experiences for the upcoming year”. The region’s diversity and opportunities to connect with the world’s oldest living culture through experiences such as the new Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature walk, hands-on art workshops and stunning light shows earned it’s place on this list.
Meanwhile, Lonely Planet has named the Ikara Flinders Ranges Outback as one of its ’25 Best Destinations in 2026’ for “brilliant sunsets and colossal outback adventures”, also highlighting the region’s other-worldly natural beauty, unique landscapes, cultural connections and spectacular stargazing.
Here, we share some of our favourite outback experiences, and why the Australian outback deserves a place on every Australian luxury travellers’ bucket list, in 2026 and beyond.
WHAT IS ‘THE OUTBACK’?
Almost boundless and always breathtaking, the ‘outback’ is a much a concept as it is a place, characterised by big skies, vast cattle stations, sprawling national parks and awe-inspiring ancient landscapes.
Whilst the term ‘outback’ is often used interchangeably with Australia’s Red Centre, almost every state is touched by the outback – from South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges to Queensland’s outback tropical savannah.
WHO WILL LOVE AUSTRALIA’S OUTBACK?
Australia’s vast outback has much to offer, inviting and delighting all kinds of travellers:
HONEYMOONERS
Enjoy a romantic evening under a blanket of outback stars: with a dune-top dinner or a cosy evening in a comfortable swag at Longitude 131.
FAMILIES
Try ‘tubing’, yabby catching or pan for gold in a secluded waterhole; tour ancient landscapes in an ATV and kayak scenic outback waterways; learn about animal tracking, sample bush medicines and feed barramundi with a junior rangers tour at Queensland’s Mt Mulligan Lodge.
CULTURE SEEKERS
Those seeking genuine connections with the world’s oldest living culture will love listening to the traditional creation stories woven around the outback’s ancient landscapes; and can enjoy learning traditional art techniques from local Aboriginal artists. Visit remote arts communities or ancient rock art sites. There are opportunities to tour with descendants of the Traditional Custodians of Uluru and sample traditional bush foods straight from the source or served in some of the outback’s most stunning settings.
HIKERS
Australia’s Red Centre invites keen hikers to explore the outback on foot with a new multi-day guided, catered and accommodated Uluru Kata Tjuta signature walk kicking off in April 2026.
Meanwhile the Arkaba Walk showcases the ancient landscapes and captivating wildlife of the Flinders Ranges outback.
Those with less time, and in other parts of the country, can also enjoy a collection of short scenic walks that introduce them to Australia’s outback landscapes.
STARGAZERS
Enjoying clear big skies, far away from city lights, the outback serves up some of the most spectacular stargazing. Learn about the ancient legends written in the Southern stars
AND STILL SO MUCH MORE ..
Wildlife watching, spectacular photography, even fishing! are among the activities offer in Australia’s amazing outback.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
Like most places, the best time to visit can vary depending on what it is you’d like to experience, but as a general rule the most comfortable time to visit the Australian outback is between April and October.
Whilst the Red Centre can be visited all year round, it is important to note that some outback stays and services may also close over the warm (and in Australia’s tropical north, wet) ‘summer’ months (November through to March).
HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK – BY RAIL, ON FOOT, FROM THE AIR OR FROM THE SEA
TRAVERSE THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK WITH ICONIC RAIL JOURNEYS
The world’s epic rail journeys have long conjured up notions of glamour and romance – and with the growing appetite for slower and more sustainable ways to travel, have also been enjoying a renewed golden age of train travel.
Two iconic rail journeys: the Indian Pacific (4 days/3 nights Sydney – Perth or 5 days/4 nights Perth – Sydney) and the Ghan (3 days/2nights Adelaide-Darwin or 4 days/3 nights Darwin to Adelaide), traverse the Australian outback inviting travellers to sit back and enjoy the romance of rail travel, watching rolling vistas unfold whilst savouring locally-inspired dining experiences and enjoying the opportunity to meet like-minded travellers.
From April 2026, these iconic journeys will also offer a new level of luxury with the introduction of two fabulous new luxury accommodation suites. Both the Aurora and Australis suites provide a separate bedroom and sitting area, a private ensuite, butler service, free-flowing champagne and exclusive off-train experiences.
EXPLORE AUSTRALIA’S OUTBACK ON FOOT
For the ultimate slow travel experience; a new multi-day fully-guided, catered and accommodated walk through Australia’s Red Centre will (from April 2026) showcases some of the Northern Territory’s most iconic World Heritage-listed natural wonders: Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Hikers sleep in comfort with purpose-built lodgings or in a cosy swag under a blanket of stars; feast on uninterrupted scenery and savour delicious local flavours over shared meals; with all-inclusive experiences that may also include opportunities for foot spa treatments and hands-on conservation activities.
Developed in close consultation with the Anangu Traditional Custodians of these sacred lands, walkers on the new 5 day/4 night Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk are also treated to captivating stories handed down through generations and privileged insights into their ancient culture.
SLEEP IN A SWAG UNDER OUTBACK STARS OR STAY IN AN OUTBACK RANCH – ALWAYS IN COMFORT & STYLE
From Uluru to the Flinders Ranges, the Kimberley to outback Queensland, Southern Crossings Travel Designers can match travellers with the perfect outback stay that combines the best of Australia’s rugged outback with refined modern comforts: the kinds of place where guests can get hands on with local conservation activities, experience a window into the workings of an authentic outback ranch or immerse themselves in their surrounds with a safari-style camp; enjoy an adults-only retreat or a family-friendly outback experience; sleep in a cosy swag under a blanket of stars or in canopied air-conditioned comfort – or both!
TAKE TO THE SKIES TO APPRECIATE THE OUTBACK’S GRAND SCALE
Whether it’s a short scenic flight over Uluru, Wilpena Pound, Lake Eyre or the domes of the Bungle Bungle – or a multi-day air-touring outback itinerary by helicopter or fixed wing charter plane, taking to the skies is one of the best ways to appreciate the grand scale and vast beauty of the Australian outback – and Southern Crossings Travel Designers can curate custom itineraries to suit every interest: wildlife, Aboriginal rock art, fishing, photography and more.
CRUISE THE ‘OUTBACK COAST’
Australia’s ancient outback landscapes reach right out to the sea, perhaps nowhere more dramatically than along the continent’s North-West Kimberley Coast. Ask the Southern Crossings Travel Designers about the fabulous options to cruise this coast, under sail on a private charter catamaran or with a small ship luxury expedition cruise that provides access to places on this planet that few before have seen.
Contact the Southern Crossings Travel Design team to curate your ideal luxury outback adventure: ausdesign@southern-crossings.com
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
Book early to secure your preferred arrangements, particularly as many of Australia’s outback luxury lodges and experiences, are by their very intimate nature, limited in availability.
Pack light, breathable clothing (avoiding ‘whites’ as they are a magnet for the inevitable red dust), comfortable walking shoes and plenty of sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and long-sleeved shirts) for day time activities; a swimming costume to cool off in your lodge’s pool or secluded outback waterhole; and warm layers for the cooler evenings. Even in summer, the outback evenings can be quite chilly. If visiting during the hot summer months, consider investing in an over-hat fly net to prevent persistent tiny flies from disturbing your view.
Whilst the landscapes and early morning/evening lighting make for dramatic photography, always be respectful and ask permission before taking photographs of people and sacred sites
Stay hydrated and remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Header image: Swag on the deck of Longitude 131’s outback accommodation pavilions at Ulur
