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Australian Cities and TownsCities and towns to start your Australian Outback tripWhy do I write about Australian cities and towns? After all, I know you want to see the Australian Outback. However, if you travel to Australia from abroad to visit the Outback, the "big smoke" (big cities) is where you certainly arrive and spend your first and last days down under. I visited most of the capital cities for the same reason, either to arrive or depart from there. Hey, the big Australian cities are not a curse. :) They are beautiful, have a relaxed lifestyle, and are usually set within a great scenery. 
Adelaide - my favourite Australian cityThis page is basically an overview with links to the Australian cities and Outback towns I have covered in the Outback Guide. Makes it easier for you to find the information you are looking for. So come on, let's go to the Australian cities and towns! For a quick jump to cities and towns in a specific state, click the abbreviation of the state name.
South Australian cities and towns Every time I arrive at Adelaide airport after that long flight from Germany, I get this overwhelming feeling: I am back to Australia, yeah. From Adelaide most regions of the South Australian Outback can be reached within a day, or two, if you take it slowly. So if you plan to go to the Flinders Ranges, do the Oodnadatta or Birdsville Tracks, or go to see Alice Springs and Uluru, you best start your journey in Adelaide. Click on the banner and find things to do in Adelaide. 
Coober Pedy - Population ~ 3,500  The "opal capital of the world" is about 846 km north of Adelaide, or 527 km north of Port Augusta on the Stuart Highway. Stop here on your way to Alice Springs, or leave the highway to go to the Oodnadatta Track. Coober Pedy is well worth a visit. Don't miss the chance to sleep underground while you are here. Hawker - Population ~ 300 is called the hub of the Flinders Ranges. Situated just 400 km north of Adelaide, it is a great place to explore the Flinders. Stock up supplies before you head further north. Marree - Population ~ 95  This little township is my favourite Outback town. I just love the history, the flair and the friendly people. Marree is at the beginning, or the end (depending from where you come) of the Oodnadatta and the Birdsville Track. You can also go to Lake Eyre via the Muloorina Station Track. This is remote country, please be careful and well prepared. Port Augusta - Population ~ 13,000 The city on top of Spencer Gulf is called the cross-roads of Australia. Port Augusta is about 310 km north of Adelaide. From here the Stuart Highway heads north to Alice Springs and Darwin, while the Eyre Highway takes you on the long journey across the Nullarbor to Perth in Western Australia. Finally, the Flinders Ranges are within easy reach, you can see mountains from lookouts on the Spencer Gulf. The Australian Outback begins right on the edge of town.  Quorn is a great little township 55km south of Hawker, and 40 km north-east of Port Augusta. Visit gorges and lookouts in the surroundings, or take a ride on the famous Pichy Richy railway for a trip to Port Augusta. Quorn is a great place to explore the southern parts of the Flinders Ranges. Top of Australian cities and towns
New South Wales cities and towns Sydney Australia is a beautiful city. You can't beat its location along the huge natural harbour. Many airlines from all around the world conduct direct flight to Sydney. It is Australia's largest ctiy, after all. How to go to the Australian Outback from Sydney? That's a good question, with several answers. It all depends on where you want to go. You can take a train, fly, or drive youself. Of course, there are also guided tours to the Outback which start in Sydney. However, if you don't want to spend too much time on the road, my advice is to fly into Adelaide, Alice Springs, Broken Hill, or even into Queensland, depending on which part of the Outback you want to explore. Click on the banner and find things to do in Sydney. 
Broken Hill - Population ~ 21,500 The mining town is approximately 500 km north-east of Adelaide, and 1160 km north-west of Sydney. Broken Hill is surrounded by beautiful Outback landscapes, and is a starting point for many tours. Broken Hill is at the junction of the Barrier and Silver City Highways. To the north is the Corner Country, a true Outback region on the corner of three Australian states. Bourke Population ~ 3,000  You heard the phrase "Back o'Bourke"? It describes a place that is far away from anything. Situated on the banks of the Darling River, Bourke used to be a major river port in the bygone area of river trade. Bourke is a real Outback town, about 700 km north-west of Sydney, on the Mitchell Highway. You can explore Outback Queensland and the north-west of New South Wales from Bourke, or drive along the Darling River to its junction with the Murray. Top of Australian cities and towns
Queensland cities and townsBrisbane - capital city of QueenslandBrisbane lies on the south coast of the state. You have quite a bit of driving ahead to reach the real Australian Outback. Heading inland from Brisbane, the Outback roughly begins when you meet the Matilda Highway. Cunnamulla (~800 km west of Brisbane) and Charleville (~750 km west of Brisbane) are on the southern end of the Matilda Highway. The Overlander Way Charters Towers - Population ~ 8,800 Although this is not quite an Outback town, Charters Towers has a lot of charme and history. Heading west along the Overlanders Way you'll be in the real Australian Outback soon. Towns along the Matilda Highway  Longreach - Population ~ 4300 Longreach is 1172 km north-west of Brisbane. From here you can go down to the Channel Country and further into the Australian Outback. Winton - Population ~ 1500 Winton is 176 km north of Longreach along the Matilda Highway. The legend of Waltzing Matilda was born in Winton. The Min Min Way leads 356 km west to Boulia. Cloncurry - Population ~ 4800 Cloncurry is Australia's hottest town. It is 356 km north-west of Winton. From here it is only a short drive to Mount Isa. The Gulf of Carpentaria is about 380 km north of Cloncurry. Top of Australian cities and towns
Towns of the Channel Country and the far west The Channel Country is in south-west Queensland. It is a land of red sand dunes, dry creeks and channels that come alive when the rivers in the north fill with water in the wet season. The far west is really remote country. If you travel west from either Mount Isa, Boulia, or Birdsville, it is a long way until you reach a settlement of any size in the Northern Territory or South Australia.  See beautiful red sand dunes just outside of Windorah, they are amazing. Thargomindah - Population ~ 220 The town is well-known for using renewable energy, it is famous in Australian history. Boulia - Population ~ 300 Are you into a spooky adventure? Boulia is home of the spooky Min Min Light. Birdsville - Population ~ 100 The isolated Outback town attracts thousands of visitors every year for the famous Birdsville races. Top of Australian cities and towns
This list of Australian cities is just another information source to plan your trip to the Eastern Australian Outback. I will work on the page frequently. So please come back occasionally to check the updates on the cities in Australia. Need some info to find a flight to Australia? Check out my cheap flights to Australia page. |
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