How come a German is raving about the Outback?

So you want to know a little about the person who is raving about Australia and the Australian Outback?
You want to know why I am writing the Outback Guide? It is not easy to write about myself, but here is my story.

Well, my name is Rita Amend. I live in the crowded Rhine-Main-area in Germany. Perhaps that's why I love the tranquillity of the Outback so much. I have been married for 35 years, and I have a 8 to 5 job in a medical laboratory, an ordinary life, so far.

My love for Australia has started in 1988 when I read the first travel guide about Australia. I was hooked, captured. I wanted to know more about this country, and I longed to go there. From this time on I absorbed everything about Australia that crossed my way, more travel guides, novels, fact books, nature reports on TV, you name it, I read it.

Finally, the first trip to Australia

The first trip Down Under was a dream come true. It was fantastic, but also overwhelming. So many impressions, so much to see. I found that the Aussies are the friendliest people, and most helpful.

Back in Germany, I read more about the land of my dreams. Luckily, I (we) had the chance to return to Australia every three or four years since then. Each trip another wonderful journey to a new part of Australia, and I still haven't seen it all yet.

How do I travel in Australia?

Despite the huge distances we always rent a car to drive on our own. This gives us the freedom to stop whenever we want to take photos, or just absorb a beautiful view. No bookings in advance, so we are completely free.

I always write an itinerary, I call it my roadbook, in advance. It covers the points of interest en route, accommodation tips, and heaps of info about the towns and the things to see along the way. Hey, that helds me in pleasant anticipation months before the journey begins.

This little planning also helps to make sure that we are back at the airport in time. I don't plan to drive more than say 300 kms a day, especially not on Outback roads. Sure, on a long and boring stretch of bitumen, like the Stuart Highway, a day can also cover 500 or 600 km.

In the Australian Outback you don't drive to reach a certain highlight at the end of the day. No, every single km /mile out there is so exciting, it is a highlight itself.

Why do I write this website?

First of all, I started Rita's Outback Guide to share my travel experiences in my beloved Australian Outback with everyone.

Before my first Outback trip I was slightly worried. I had read many travel guides, but information about the vast Australian inland was often very short. The internet was not such a good resource at the time I researched my first Outback trip.
Jack Absalom's book "Safe Outback Travel" was a tremendous help. I got the gist what is important when travelling in the Outback: Be prepared, slow down and use common sense.

After that first trip I fell in love with the Australian Outback, and many more trips followed.

Now I am here, writing this guide to introduce you to my favourite places, and give you the information you need to plan your trip of a lifetime.





BTW, since I have started with the Outback Guide I discovered that it is so much fun to create websites, so in January 2010 I have begun with the Germany Facts Guide, a site about my home country.
I also learned that I can earn some extra money with my websites. How? Well, that's an entirely new story. I call it the Outback guide secret. You love secrets, don't you?
Then click on the above link to learn more. Thank you.