If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and want to take the kids on an adventure, why not take them to the Australian Outback?
While it may appear that the Australian Outback is all sand, dirt, and heat, it’s also a place of huge cultural significance, ancient history, and home to some of the most famous landmarks in Australia.
As most people know, the Outback covers most of the Australian continent, so instead of trying to cover it all in one article, here are six reasons to stretch your family’s legs in some of Australia’s most unique outback destinations.
6 Reasons to Take the Kids to the Australian outback
One of the best ways to experience Outback Queensland with the kids is by visiting Mount Isa.
As the unofficial capital of Central Queensland, Mount Isa is one of the most productive mining towns in the world, and remains so to this day.
Here are two simple reasons to visit Mount Isa with the kids:
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Experience the thrill of an outback rodeo
Home to the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere, the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo is an annual event to remember for kids and adults.
With a full program of competitive rodeo events, live music from some of Australia’s best entertainers and interactive demonstrations from local and international vendors, there’s a lot for the family to get stuck into here.
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Go on a mining tour
With a mining history as rich as Mount Isa's, going on a mining tour is a no-brainer activity.
The Isa Experience Heritage Display takes you on a history tour showing how mining has evolved from its start in the 1920s right up until today.
When you think of the outback in Australia, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Uluru in the Red Centre is arguably the most famous Australian landmark and while that’s enough reason to visit with the kids, here a three more:
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Experience the spiritual weight of Uluru
Not only is Uluru a spectacular natural formation, it’s also a deeply spiritual place. Anyone who’s been there will confirm its powerful presence, and taking a tour with a local guide is an opportunity not to be missed.
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Hear Dreamtime stories passed down over generations
At 348 metres high and 550 million years old, Uluru is one of the world’s largest monoliths and is often referred to as the ‘Heart of the Red Centre’. Previously known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is believed to have been created at the beginning of time by ten spiritual ancestors, or spirit people, of the Anangu Aboriginal people.
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Witness incredible Indigenous rock art that is thousands of years old
Indigenous Australians are believed to have lived in the Uluru region for at least 30,000 years. The rock art they created, that still exists today, is an incredible historical and scientific record.
The Northern Territory is so vast that different parts of the outback offer their own unique experiences, history, and landmarks.
By basing yourself in Katherine and hiring a car, you can tour the town of Katherine and make your own way north to Kakadu National Park.
This is the part of the Northern Territory where the outback meets the tropics and is home to hundreds of gorges, waterfalls, thermal springs, and amazing cultural artefacts.
A few reasons to visit Katherine and Kakadu National Park with the kids include:
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Learning from the land
Tom Curtain's award-winning Katherine Outback Experience celebrates the NT's unique pastoral history through horse-starting and working dog demonstrations, live music, and storytelling.
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Experience Indigenous culture hands-on
The Top Didj Aboriginal Cultural Experience promotes a positive experience with local Aboriginal people and engages a portfolio of artists from the local area.
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Learn the history of the Jawoyn Aboriginal people
Visit the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and discover the fascinating history of the local Indigenous population. Book a tour and support local providers.
Did you know that in the middle of northeast Western Australia's Kimberley region, there is a lake 18 times bigger than Sydney Harbour?
Lake Argyle is one of the best places to visit in the Western Australian Outback because of its sheer scale, the uniqueness of its geography, and the huge range of Australian wildlife that calls it home.
A few reasons to visit Katherine and Kakadu National Park with the kids include:
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Get close to native Australian species
Lake Argyle is home to hundreds of unique species including freshwater crocodiles, native fish, rock wallabies, and a huge range of Australian birdlife. Book a tour and discover it for yourself.
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It's easy to cool off
While Lake Argyle is a safe place for swimming (freshwater crocodiles do live in the lake, but are far less aggressive than their saltwater counterparts), the inifinity pool at Lake Argyle Resort and Holiday Park is a must-do.
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There's loads of family-friendly activities to try
Kayaking, paddle-boating, hiking, and boat cruises that get you close to nature are easy to achieve at Lake Argyle and further afield at Lake Kununurra.
In the red desert heart of Western Australia’s Pilbara region, Tom Price and Karijini National Park are two must-see destinations in the Australian Outback.
With a G’day Park at Tom Price, the gateway to Karijini National Park, you can experience this historic town and spend more time inside the stunning national park.
Some of the reasons to visit Karijini National Park with the kids include:
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An abundance of native Australian wildlife
Kangaroos, emus, rock wallabies, snakes, echidnas, lizards, dingoes... you name it, it's all here. As a nature lover's dream, the park is also home to an exciting variety of wildflowers, native bird species, and an abundance of Aussie fish.
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Miles of hiking trails
You can never be bored once inside Karijini. Among the many trails to choose from, Dales Gorge Loop is a must-do for families. Generally considered a moderately challenging loop, it takes around 1.5 hours to complete and looks out onto amazing views of the Circular Pool and Fortescue Falls.
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Spectacular waterfalls and gorges
While there are many more, depending on the season, there are a few gorges you don't want to miss in Karijini National Park. Among them is Hammersley Gorge, possibly the most famous—and for good reason. Made up of all kinds of bright colours and striking rock formations, the path leads to what appears to be one of the most spectacular private rock pools in the world.
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of the most unique towns in the Australian Outback, Coober Pedy.
Located close to the centre of South Australia, Coober Pedy is a small, underground mining town that is definitely worth visiting with the kids. Here are some of the best things to do with kids in Coober Pedy:
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Experience life underground
Because the town is in the middle of the desert, it can get extremely hot, so the town has famously built their homes and hotels underground!
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Mine for opals
Coober Pedy is known as an opal-mining town, so touring one of these locally-run mines is an unmissable experience.
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See the painted desert
Around 130km north of Coober Pedy, you can find the Painted Desert, a unique desert filled with colour throughout its hilly terrain.
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Be immersed in Indigenous culture
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park is part of the traditional country of the Antakirinja Matunjara Yankunytjatjara people. Here, you can learn about the history and spiritual significance of this remote part of Australia.
Which part of the Australian Outback will you visit first with your kids?
Covering the majority of the Australian continent, the Outback holds significant cultural, historical, and spiritual meaning to Indigenous Australians and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
From visiting the spiritual site of Uluru to touching some of the oldest rocks in the world in Karijini National Park, or going underground in one of the world’s most unique mining towns, there are so many reasons to visit the outback with the kids.
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