The Great Outback Crossing
A comprehensive journey across the Australian outback, traversing from the east coast to the west coast.
Sydney → Mudgee → Cobar → Broken Hill → Port Augusta → Coober Pedy → Erldunda → Wauchope → Timber Creek → Halls Creek → Broome
Into the Blue Mountains
We’ll start the journey by escaping the Sydney humidity and heading straight for the Great Dividing Range.
Sydney
Pick up the 4WD (highly recommended for the later stages), grab a meat pie for the road, and head west.
Echo Point Lookout
You have to see the Three Sisters. It’s the classic "we’ve started the trip" photo op. Grab lunch in Katoomba before the roads get much quieter.
Mudgee
A beautiful wine town. Since it's Day 1, treat yourselves to a nice local bottle to enjoy at the hotel.
The Gateway to the Outback
Today the trees start getting shorter and the soil starts turning red as we head toward the "accessible outback."
Dubbo
A good spot to stretch your legs and top up on any supplies you forgot in Sydney.
Nyngan
Visit the "Big Bogan" statue—it’s a hilarious, quintessential Aussie roadside photo.
Cobar
This is an old mining town. Head to the Fort Bourke Hill Lookout at sunset to see the massive open-cut gold and copper mine—the scale is dizzying.
Living on the Edge of the Desert
We are officially in the "Back of Bourke" territory now. The horizon starts to flatten out completely.
Wilcannia
A historic port on the Darling River. The sandstone buildings here are beautiful, though the town is very quiet now.
Broken Hill
This is the "Silver City." It’s an oasis of art and history in the middle of nowhere.
Living Desert Sculptures
Drive just outside town for sunset. There are 12 sandstone sculptures on a hilltop that glow bright orange as the sun drops.
Crossing the South Australian Border
Time to cross your first state border. Remember to check fruit fly quarantine rules—you usually can't bring fruit/veg across!
Peterborough
A quirky town full of steam train history.
Port Augusta
This is known as the "Crossroads of Australia." It’s where the road splits for Perth, Adelaide, or Darwin.
Wadlata Outback Centre
Walk through the "Tunnel of Time" to understand the indigenous and geological history of the space you're about to drive into.
The Underground City
Today is a long haul up the Stuart Highway. This is where you’ll start seeing "Road Trains"—huge trucks with 3 or 4 trailers. Give them plenty of space!
Glendambo
Population: 30 people, 22,500 sheep, and 2,000,000 flies. It’s a mandatory fuel stop.
Coober Pedy
The opal capital of the world. It’s so hot here that people live underground in "dugouts."
The Big Ant
A quick quirky photo stop before checking into your own underground room.
The Red Centre Entry
We leave the opal fields behind and cross into the Northern Territory. The dirt gets significantly redder here.
Marla
The last stop in SA. Check your tire pressure and fuel up.
Northern Territory Border
Take the obligatory photo with the "Welcome to the Territory" sign.
Erldunda
Known as the "Centre of the Centre." It’s a roadhouse hub. They have an emu farm here where you can feed the birds.
The Highway North
We’re bypassing Alice Springs to keep our northern momentum toward the Kimberley.
Alice Springs
A quick stop for a real coffee and a grocery restock. If you have time, the Desert Park is great, but we have miles to cover.
Ti Tree
The most northern vineyard in Australia. Grab some local fruit if it's in season.
Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
These massive granite boulders look like they were dropped by giants. They are sacred to the local Warumungu people and look incredible at dusk.
The Junction West
This is our longest driving day. We turn off the main north-south highway and head west toward the Western Australian border.
Tennant Creek
Fuel up and check your spare tire. The road west (Buchanan Hwy/Victoria Hwy) is remote.
Gregory National Park
The escarpment views here are stunning. It feels like "Marlboro Country."
Timber Creek
A small town on the Victoria River. Watch for crocodiles in the river—don't go near the water's edge!
Entering the Kimberley
Cross into Western Australia! Note the time zone change—you gain 1.5 hours, which is a gift for more exploring.
Kununurra
The gateway to the Kimberley. It’s lush and green compared to the desert we just left.
Lake Argyle
A massive inland sea. If you have time for a quick boat tour, do it—the scale is impossible to grasp from the shore.
Halls Creek
On the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. It’s rugged and remote.
The Final Stretch to the Coast
The landscape shifts from rocky ranges to the vast, flat Pindan plains as we approach the Indian Ocean.
Fitzroy Crossing
Stop at the crossing of the mighty Fitzroy River. In the wet season, this bridge is often underwater!
Derby
See the Boab Prison Tree—a massive, hollowed-out tree with a dark history.
Cable Beach
You made it! Park the car and watch the famous sunset camel trains walk across the white sand as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean.
- Always carry 20L of emergency water and a satellite comms device (or Telstra SIM card—it’s the only one with decent outback coverage).
- Avoid driving at dawn or dusk if possible; the kangaroos and cattle are a serious hazard!
- Day 3: 5h driving — plan rest stops
- Day 5: 5h 29m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 6: 28h 10m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 8: 12h 44m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 9: 7h 31m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 10: 7h 48m driving — plan rest stops