Australia · OUTBACK TOURS
This is the list you would text a mate who lands on Friday: 11 outback tours that hold their price, each with the traveller verdict and the one thing worth knowing beforehand.
Spend two hours at the Australian Outback Spectacular near Queensland’s Gold Coast. You’ll follow two farmers through hardship and hope while horses, acrobats, comedy, music, and special effects bring the story to life. Your ticket includes a three-course dinner, beer, wine or soft drinks, bush tea, a stockman’s hat, and parking.
“Everything was a great experience the meal was superb thank 3”
Spend about 4.5 hours on the Thompson River and at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show in Longreach. Your captain shares stories of wildlife, Aboriginal heritage, and the river while you enjoy sunset views, complimentary savoury snacks, and drinks from the bar. Then settle in for a two-course camp-oven meal, damper, and live music under the stars. Pickup is available.
“It’s a laid back fun experience that makes you closer to the brave people that live out west. I loved it ❤️”
Begin with hotel pickup from Ayers Rock Resort, sparkling wine, snacks, and sunset views of Uluru. Then dine near the rock on barbecue meats, salads, bread, and drinks before a local star guide points out the Southern Cross and other features of the night sky. Guides such as Rachel, Kevin, and Odin have been singled out for friendly service and astronomy knowledge.
“Great staff, good food and stars were Stunning. Special shout out to Odin for his knowledge of stars and phone settings”
Spend about two hours with Tom Curtain and his team at the Katherine Outback Experience. Watch horses being started, working dogs at work, and livestock demonstrations set to live country music and stories. It is undercover, suitable for most ages and mobility levels, and includes live commentary. Kids receive discounted entry.
“Well organised, very professional and thoroughly enjoyable! Impressive trading techniques. Great show!”
Leave Cairns at 6:30 a.m. for a small-group 4WD trip into Queensland’s outback. You’ll visit Chillagoe’s ancient limestone caves with a ranger, see smelter ruins, Aboriginal rock art, Balancing Rock, and Granite Gorge’s rock wallabies. Morning tea, lunch, transfers, and commentary are included. Expect a long, active day with plenty of driving.
“Great tour with Rowan into the unknown. Real Australia, far from the popular tourist spots l. Chillagoe Caves tour with ranger Ash was amazing. Coffee plantation and breakfast just right. Lunch at a proper Ausdie outback pub was spot on. Afternoon walks to old copper smelting works, interesting rock formations and to feed Rock Wallabies all lovely. Really diverse. Vehicle much comfier than expected. Really enjoyed all of it. If you want something different, fo this tour.”
Ride from Cairns in an air-conditioned 4WD with a naturalist guide such as AJ, Rowan, Mark, or Gavin. Stop for Skybury coffee, explore one guided Chillagoe cave, see Aboriginal rock art and smelter ruins, eat at a local pub, then meet rock wallabies at Granite Gorge. Expect a long but varied day with several hours on the road.
“This is a guided driving tour of the outback. At least 7 hours driving. We got picked up at 7am and returned at 6pm in Cairns. The guide, James, was informative and very friendly. Overall, it’s a good experience with a nice guide.”
Spend four hours walking central Darwin, tasting 12 or more dishes at three changing restaurants, and seeing street art with augmented reality. Guides such as Darrell, Chris, Aaron, John, and Michael add local stories about Aboriginal art, WWII, architecture, and Northern Territory produce. Expect generous portions, a welcome drink, and a maximum group of 12.
“Art tour excellent Too much food all at once would have preferred spaced out a little more A little bit more variety instead of all Asian based, maybe only two shared dishes at each restaurant and a couple of more restaurants of a different cuisine. Otherwise a good experience”
Set out from Alice Springs at 6am for three active days through Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon. You’ll join a group of up to 23, walk roughly 6 to 8 kilometres, eat included meals, and sleep in either a safari tent or traditional swag. Guides such as Ben, Jem, Lea, and Donk have been praised for their care and Outback knowledge.
“Marie très sympa et compétente Sites très intéressants Ne demandez pas trop de mots pour votre enquête c'est embêtant”
Spend 10.5 hours with an English-speaking AAT Kings driver-guide on a 4WD journey from Alice Springs to Hermannsburg and Palm Valley. Travel along the Finke River, stop for morning tea, walk among rare cabbage palms and red rock, and eat a picnic in Finke Gorge National Park. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sun protection, and warm layers in winter.
“Our tour guide, Myles, was a very skilled driver with a wealth of knowledge and an obvious commitment to his passengers experiencing the best possible outing on the day. It was well-paced and he ensured that allowances were made for different levels of fitness and interests within our group. Our picnic lunch too was very good.”
Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Thomson River aboard the Longreach Explorer, with Captain Danny’s stories, sunset views, homemade nibbles, and a licensed bar. Then enjoy a two-course camp oven inspired dinner, billy tea, damper, and live music at Smithy’s River Stage, with coach transfers from Longreach accommodation.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our evening, from the beautiful sunset, to the captains commentary, the fabulous dinner, dessert and damper. A very well organised evening, staff were great, food excellent. As there were many of ilia that came to Apex Park from Muddy Duck, it would be nice to have the bus pick us up. We drove over to Apex Park as it was so dark when we returned”
Spend three hours beside the Coolibah-lined Thomson River with a two-course camp oven dinner cooked over Gidyea coals, followed by damper, billy tea, and live outback songs and stories. Outback Aussie Tours provides return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation. Bring a jacket, and advise the team about dietary or mobility needs in advance.
“The show was not what I expected at a outback show a woman singing songs to electronic music songs that were not relevant to OUTBACK I felt I was in a pub not an outback show where I would have thought there would be stories told about the outback and live music not pressing a computer to make music I was very disappointed”
Pick a reef, a cellar door or a coast road.
