Travelling the Outback Way
Adventures come in all shapes and sizes, but free-wheeling in the Australian Outback is hard to beat.
So I was very excited to be invited to travel with a small group of media on a two-week trip along the Outback Way, a route dubbed “Australia’s longest short-cut”. We’ll be driving 3079km right through the heart of Australia, from Winton, in western Queensland, to the mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
I’ve been to some of the places along the way before, but others are new. Either way, it’s going to be a wonderful adventure, exploring places that always warrant a return visit.
After a flight from Brisbane to the western Queensland town of Longreach today, we then drove for two hours to Winton, the home of Australia’s unofficial anthem Waltzing Matilda, where we’re spending another day to explore some of the world’s most exciting dinosaur fossil finds, visit some Outback pubs and meet the locals.
Emus along the roadside between Longreach and Winton.
The drive will take us west to the Outback towns of Boulia, across the border into the Northern Territory and on to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Crossing into Western Australia, we’ll then head through Warakurna and Warburton to Laverton, where the Outback Way officially ends. But for us, there’s another 300-odd kilometres to reach the mining town of Kalgoorlie, where I’ll spend a couple of days before flying to WA’s state capital, Perth and from there across the continent again by air to my home in Brisbane, Queensland.
It’s a mighty trip, and I can’t wait to share some of my daily adventures with you. Internet access is patchy and sometimes slow in these parts, but I’ll do the best I can. For starters, here’s a couple of shots taken along the drive today, as we headed into the sunset.
Sunset on the drive between Longreach and Winton, western Queensland.
We dined at tonight’s lodging, the North Gregory Hotel in Winton, but I admit to being glad to see the pillows in my room upstairs at the pub! Tomorrow we’re off dinosaur-hunting…until then…zzzzz.
Roast beef dinner at the North Gregory Hotel, Winton.
A place to rest my head at the North Gregory Hotel, Winton.
A Glass Half Full is travelling as a guest of the Outback Highway Development Board.
A Glass Half Full 
16 Responses to “Travelling the Outback Way”
All the best Lee. Magnificent country but chilly overnight at this time of year. Looking forward to seeing your photos and reading your reviews. Happy travels.
Thank you Trina! It’s not quite as chilly as I expected. Today heading for a top temperature of 28 – and woke this morning to 13 degrees!
Sounds fabulous and may become the latest “tourist adventure” for those longing for a week of two of wide open spaces away from it all! Enjoy!!!!!
Thanks Vreni! Will be in touch when I get home again x
Looking forward to reading about your trip. We are leaving Townsville early next week to travel the Outback Way as far as Alice Springs. It’s the overnight temperatures that have me worried!
Over the past couple of days I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Not as cold as I had expected! Safe travels – and enjoy! I know you will!
Hey, Great news! Just got back from 5 weeks in the Simpson Desert – wonderful time of year to be doing it! Very special country you will see. I hope it’s half as much fun as I have ‘out there’ and you’ll have a ball in great weather – and meeting some great people. I look forward to more posts! :-)
Will email you! Sorry our paths haven’t crossed. Even on day 2, it’s fabulous, and have thought of you often!
There are some great etched glass doors in the hotel dining room or bar that are worth checking out.
Yes, the Daphne Mayo doors. Beautiful. Stay tuned for more!
Love reading about anywhere in the Outback – what a fun trip. I have fond memories of Winton.
Winton’s a great little place, Bev. Stay tuned for more blog posts on the journey, as I’ve not had much time for writing on the road!
I have been loving your pics and feel like I’m vicariously adventuring through you! Keep it up!
Thanks for following my trip on Facebook. As it’s turned out there was not enough time each day to write a proper blog post…but now the trip is over, they’ll be coming now!
It looks amazing!
Lovely blog! keep us updated with those daily stories. Definitely inspiring