Australia's Golden Outback 2023 Holiday Planner

ROAD TO THE ROCK 9 days | Sealed and unsealed roads Shires on your journey: Dalwallinu, Yalgoo, Mount Magnet, Cue, Meekatharra, Upper Gascoyne, Murchison, Mullewa, Mingenew, Perenjori This adventurous, rugged road trip takes you more than 1,000km north of Perth. You’ll weave your way through gorgeous country towns, historical sites, station stays and carpets of seasonal wildflowers before arriving at the world’s biggest rock, Mount Augustus. You’ll venture through historic towns like Paynes Find, Mount Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra, seeing amazing natural attractions like the Aboriginal rock art at Walga Rock. In springtime, this area is ablaze with a kaleidoscope of wildflowers. At Mount Augustus National Park, the colours of the landscape change from chalky white soils and fields of olive-coloured shrub to a dark, ruby red moonscape. The park is a lush outback paradise with swimming holes, ancient rock art and a buzzing outback village. Mount Augustus is the star of this road trip. At 1,700 million years old, it’s three times older than Uluru and twice its size. There are a number of walking trails around the base, and a summit trail if you’re up for a climb with epic views.

CANNING STOCK ROUTE 15 days | 4WD Track Shires on your journey: Wiluna

WOOL WAGON PATHWAY 3 days | Unsealed roads

Shires on your journey: Mullewa, Yalgoo, Murchison, Upper Gascoyne, Exmouth This trail epitomises the Australian outback. The drive takes you from Geraldton through the Gascoyne Murchison up to Exmouth in the Coral Coast, passing through historic and timeless towns like Pindar and Murchison Settlement. Camp along the way or get a taste for life on the land by enjoying one of the many station stay options. There are wide open spaces, historic homesteads and lots of attractions to enjoy on this adventure, including a natural spring, seashell fossils and gorgeous picnic spots. Take in the beauty of the Kennedy Ranges; some 75kms of cliffs, canyons and wildlife. Finish your trip in Exmouth with an experience on the spectacular Ningaloo Reef and witness majestic whale sharks in season.

Internationally recognised as one of Australia’s most iconic journeys, The Canning Stock Route runs from Halls Creek in the Kimberley region to Wiluna in the Northern Goldfields. Stretching 1,850km, it is the longest historic stock route in the world and is perfect for experienced off-roaders. Permits are required and travelling with another vehicle or in a convoy is recommended. It’s a route steeped in history – from both an Aboriginal and a pioneer perspective – and you’ll notice this in every kilometre. You’ll cross four deserts on the way: the Little Sandy, Gibson, Great Sandy, and Tanami. Along the way you’ll see amazing outback scenery of sand ridges stretching to the horizon, spinifex grasslands, narrow gorges, sheer cliffs, ancient Aboriginal art sites, and engravings left by the explorers and drovers of old.

22 | The Gascoyne Murchison | australiasgoldenoutback.com