The Outback: Why It's Worth It — Destination Dreamer Diaries

Australia is awesome. The cities, the beaches… but there’s a part that so many people skip over because they find it inconvenient (or not worth their time) to get to…

… the outback.

Now, my dad and I had a disagreement over this. I was determined to make it to the red-hot center during my first time down under. My dad wasn’t into going to Ayers Rock for the day, so I compromised on two nights in Alice Springs.

He says that he would’ve preferred to axe Alice Springs altogether and add those two nights to our stay in Melbourne… but I’m going to tell why I think it is worth it.

Looking back, it was one of my favorite parts of the trip… though, it’s hard to pick, because as I mentioned at the start of this blog post: Australia is awesome.

Let me break down to you a few reasons why you should visit the Outback, and why Alice Springs is a good option if it’s your first red-hot-center-Aussie experience.

1. It Shows You a Completely Different Side of Australia

Now, I’m not going to tell you that Australia is as diverse as Europe or the United States… because it’s not. In fact, besides New Zealand, it’s one of the only countries where I’ve really felt like despite the different cities, beaches, and topographies… that the country is whole andunified. Everywhere is Australia still feels like Australia; I think it’s a very special characteristic that Aussie has – where everyone feels like family and connected to one another.

Views from the plane flying from Cairns to Alice Springs; January 2019.

However, it doesn’t mean that Australia isn’t diverse… because it is. Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne all feel completely different, and Alice Springs is, obviously, even more different.

The population of the city itself is small: totaling in at around thirty thousand. In comparison to the Sydney area, which is just under five million – that’s a culture shock to an Aussie from a big city.

Arriving in Alice Springs, fresh off the plane. It’s small enough of an airport that you’ll walk right off the plane and down the stairs, straight into the “red hot center”.

If you want to get around Alice Springs, it can be difficult; public transportation is sparse but they do have taxis. There’s no Uber there – so be prepared to pay a pretty penny to get to your hotel from the airport.

There’s a lot of raw beauty right outside your window in Alice Springs… literally. Just look at this view from the balcony of our hotel.

Am I starting to be successful in terms of visually convincing you?

It’s quiet, it’s small – but there are a handful of things to do there, and the best thing I can recommend to you is…

2. Alice Springs Desert Park

This national park is amazing. We had been in Australia for ten days by this point, and I hadn’t seen a single kangaroo – not even while driving to Noosa Head or Byron Bay from Brisbane on the motorway!

I was itching to see some of the infamous Aussie wildlife, and if that’s on your Aussie list as well, this is the place you want to go.

Alice Springs Desert Park; January 2019.

Now, be warned: if you go in January (Australia’s summer) like we did, it gets hot. I’m talking highs of 109 degrees Fahrenheit and over 40 degrees Celsius… make sure you drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, bring a hat – and take frequent breaks from the sun whenever you need to.

On the contrary, when you go in their winter (June to August), it can get cold. If you’re looking to avoid any extreme temperatures, pick the fall or the spring… but the pro of suffering through the January heat, is that it’s their off season – meaning the park will be empty.

You get a real chance to connect with the tour guides this way. I got to hear about the park ranger’s life raising a family with two kids still in grade school in a small town. Those are the moments that you can’t find just anywhere. You’re more likely to hear these kinds of stories about Aussie life in culture in places like these than you will in Sydney.

3. You Get to See All of Aussie’s Wildlife in One Shot

Like I mentioned, if you make it to Alice Spring’s Desert Park – you’re going to see all the Aussie wildlife you’ve ever dreamed about in a matter of hours.

got to watch a Dingo demonstration. They’re adorable!

Dingo demonstration in Alice Springs Desert Park; January 2019.

I also got to watch this Emu prance around. This guy was definitely bigger than I am… (or gal! No Emu-gender-shaming, here!)

An Emu in Alice Springs Desert Park; January 2019.

Best of all… I got to stand within four feet of kangaroos. Watching them hop around is bound to put a smile on your face… and if you’re already almost always smiling like I am, then it’s going to make you giggle: guaranteed.

Standing within four feet ( about a meter) of kangaroos in Alice Springs Desert Park; January 2019.

There’s also an incredible bird show that you can’t miss while you’re there. You’ll watch birds crack open eggs, follow commands… all sorts of crazy things.

Be sure to catch the bird show when you’re in Alice Springs Desert Park.

Even at our hotel later…this guy just shows up. I provoked him just to get this picture.

A beautiful peacock that just so happened to be lingering around the pool of our hotel.

Well worth annoying him, wouldn’t you say?

4. The Sunset on Anzac Hill is the Most Stunning Sunset… Ever.

Perhaps the best, and most worthwhile part of our time in the outback was walking up Anzac Hill (a war memorial) to watch the sunset.

Anzac hill in Alice Springs in Australia; January 2019.

I’ve seen the sunset in Venice. I’ve seen some pretty nifty skies in the Negev Desert.

But I have to admit… that this sunset still takes the crown.

Watching the sunset on Anzac Hill; January 2019.

It was a true “I have no other words” moment. The kaleidoscope of soft blues and on-fire-orange before my eyes was… unreal, to say the least.

Alright, let’s sum up. Should you go to the outback? If you’re a sucker for sunsets, don’t mind nature walking, and have your heart set on seeing some Kangaroos during your time down under – then yes, you absolutely should.

If you’re really just looking to see the Opera House and relax on the beaches, and have no interest whatsoever in the wildlife side – then I would say you won’t mind skipping this one.

If you’re looking for other things to do in Australia, click here.