From the star-lit evening entertainment to the rough and rocky roads, an Australia overland trip is many things, but never boring writes author Jo Stewart.
Got a craving for wide open spaces, out-of-the-way campsites and nights sleeping under the stars? An overland adventure through Australia offers all this plus kangaroos, emus, rock formations, bush pubs and a fair few insects that are best left to their own devices.
But what are the main things to expect on an overland journey through Australia?
Take a seat around the virtual campfire and read on to find out what to expect when on an overland trip through Australia’s heartland.
Sleeping under the stars will be your new normal
On an overland adventure through Australia, your new normal will be sitting down to a campfire as the sun sets, sleeping under the stars and waking up to bird calls. But you won’t be sleeping under any ordinary stars. With minimal light and air pollution, the Outback sky offers unfiltered, unabated, unbelievable star viewing opportunities.
As a nice bonus, a night sleeping under the stars could ease your jetlag. With some studies suggesting that doing so can help to reset your body clock.
Read more: 6 First Nations bush foods to try in Australia
You’ll learn a new vocabulary
Just because you speak English doesn’t mean you’ll be able to converse freely with every local in Australia. More than 120 different First Nations languages are spoken in Australia, so on your trip you’ll probably meet many multilingual locals who switch between English and their local dialect.
Of course, you’re not expected to be fluent in Gundjeihmi or Yawuru, but it’s a good idea to give a few words a go (even if you botch the pronunciation).
The other vocabulary you’ll have to get your head around is Aussie slang. A ‘frothie’ is a beer, a ‘furphy’ is a tall story, a ‘bush telly’ is a campfire, while the word ‘deadly’ tends to mean awesome.
You’ll tackle tough terrain
It’s possible to drive around entire nations on nothing more than smooth, sealed bitumen. Australia is not one of those places. And that’s what makes it one of the best overland experiences on the planet.
Travelling overland in Australia, you’ll transition from sealed highways to rough gravel tracks, red dirt roads and bush tracks only accessible by 4WD (or foot). It will get bumpy. Dust and dirt will fly. It will be amazing.
Some days will require long drives because you can’t rush when negotiating the tricky terrain. These days will give you an opportunity to take in the epic scenery while listening to some true-blue tunes (AC/DC, Yothu Yindi and Midnight Oil are all recommended, but if you need to crank some Kylie then so be it).
Read more: Is Australia safe? Everything you need to know
You’ll encounter many things with wings
Ever wonder why anyone would wear a wide-brimmed hat adorned with corks hanging on strings? Not worn as a fashion statement, cork hats help ward off the notoriously large number of flies living in Australia.
While 30,000 different species of fly can be found in Australia, bush flies and blowflies are the ones that tend to love human company the most. From congregating at picnics and barbeques to attaching themselves to the sweaty backs of locals. Flies are ever-present in the Australian Outback.
Thankfully, you’ll also see many other creatures of the winged variety. Fruit bats in Darwin, black cockatoos in Perth, blue-winged kookaburras in Broome, colourful finches at Lake Argyle and hooded parrots in Katherine. These vibrant (and often incredibly loud) birds that aren’t found in the wild anywhere else in the world will become your constant companions.
You’ll disconnect, then reconnect
Unlike many other countries, there are vast tracts of Australia where phone coverage and Wi-Fi signal aren’t available. But don’t panic, there’s always the bush telly (see above) to keep you entertained.
In the beginning, you might catch yourself reaching for your device, but with these surroundings, it won’t be long until your reliance on being connected will start to wane and your connection to the land grows.
Of course, there are always landlines and satellite phones for emergency situations. But otherwise, an overland journey through Australia offers the rare chance to disconnect, then reconnect on an entirely new level.
See a new side of Australia on an Intrepid Overland trip.
