Australia is a land of dreams. From the sacred legends of the aboriginal Dreamtime, when the great spirits conjured the coral reefs, rainforests, and scorched red deserts, to armchair travelers who describe Australia as their dream destination, the Land Down Under deserves all the hype.

      The world’s smallest continent and largest island, Australia is almost the same size as the United States but with a population the size of New York State and some of the quirkiest wildlife on the planet.

     The Outback is a remote, vast, sparsely populated area of Australia. The Outback is more remote than the bush, which includes any location outside the main urban areas.

While often envisaged as being arid, the Outback regions extend from the northern to southern Australian coastlines and encompass a number of climatic zones, including tropical and monsoonal climates in northern areas, arid areas in the "red centre" and semi-arid and temperate climates in southerly regions.

Geographically, the Outback is unified by a combination of factors, most notably a low human population density, a largely intact natural environment and, in many places, low-intensity land uses, such as pastoralism (livestock grazing) in which production is reliant on the natural environment.

The Outback is deeply ingrained in Australian heritage, history and folklore. In Australian art the subject of the Outback has been vogue, particularly in the 1940s. In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Queensland Outback was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "natural attraction".   

      If your image of the outback is limited to vast stretches of flat land and red dirt, you’re missing the best of this unique destination. The outback is a region that is as diverse as it is vast, it’s a place to see impressive natural wonders while immersing yourself in the world’s oldest living culture. You can certainly come to relax and disconnect, but you can also fill your itinerary with exciting and memorable experiences that will stay with you forever. Here are a few of Australia's best outback experiences.

          About five hours from Adelaide in the Flinders Ranges, you’ll find incredible rock formations dating back millions of years, charming country pubs and rich Aboriginal history. Take in the view from the best seat in the house on a scenic flight of Wilpena Pound, where you can also soar over the vast Lake Eyre, a glistening salt pan that transforms into a pink-hued lake when flooded with rain.

    Located in the south-west corner of New South Wales, Mungo National Park feels more like Mars than it does Earth. The ancient landscape holds insight not only into Australia’s geology, but also the history of its First Nations peoples. This is the important archeological site where the remains of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man (said to be roughly 40,000 years old) were discovered. Here, you’ll find fragile, fascinating sand and clay formations sculpted by thousands of years of erosion.

    There are countless ways to absorb the beauty of the massive red monolith, Uluru. Whether it is listening about its rich history of the oldest living culture on a guided tour, dining in five-star style at a Sounds of Silence (pictured), or immersing yourself in the award-winning exhibition Field of Light. There’s simply nothing quite as incredible as Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

One of Western Australia’s most mesmerising outback experiences happens only after the sun goes down. Three nights a month, between March and October, the coastal town of Broome, in the remote Kimberley region, is where you will witness the unbelievable Staircase to the Moon. A natural phenomenon caused by a rising full moon reflecting off the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay.

      Embark on a cultural journey with Kuku Yalanji man Johnny Murison, as you drive along one of the wildest roads in Australia exploring the 20,000 year old authentic Aboriginal rock art. As the sun goes down, gather around the campfire and listen to Johnny’s stories, and the sounds of the didgeridoo echoing into the night. Jarramali Rock Art Tours offer day trip experiences, or overnight tours with all food and camping equipment provided, so all you need is a small bag to take with you!

   Less than three hours from Darwin lies Australia’s biggest national park, Kakadu National Park. With countless ways to experience it, this dream outback destination is perfect for everyone. Fly over waterfalls, hike along the rugged cliff-tops, discover ancient Aborigional rock art or cruise along the tranquil billabong at sunset.

      The stunning limestone formations known as the Pinnacles are near Cervantes, located 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Perth. The Pinnacles loop is found in the Nambung National Park and can be driven or walked in about an hour. The park can be visited all year round, but there's a bonus in spring, when the wildflowers and wattles are in bloom.