20-22 how to sell outback 17/10/08 12:24 Page 21
australia
Outback: the
movie locations
■ The tropical city of
Darwin in the far north
of the Northern
Territory was a major
location for Baz
Luhrmann’s Australia,
with one of the key
scenes depicting the Japanese bombing
sights across Australia. The magnificent trio of offering Aboriginal experiences in recent years of the city during World War II. Darwin
Uluru, Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas) and so visitors can learn about this unique culture is the gateway to stunning natural
Kings Canyon in the Red Centre are the best wherever they travel. attractions such as the World Heritage-
known of the natural attractions and feature The Northern Territory has plenty of listed Kakadu National Park, which
on many mainstream tours. But this is also a Aboriginal attractions around areas such as has spectacular scenery and is one of
great area to learn about Aboriginal culture Alice Springs and Arnhem Land in the far the best places to see crocodiles – it
while Alice Springs is the perfect place to pick north. For example, tourists can visit the was also one of the main settings for
up some indigenous artwork and crafts. Aboriginal community of Titjikala on the edge Crocodile Dundee
Other spectacular natural sights include of the Simpson Desert, near Alice Springs.
Wave Rock in Western Australia and the The Kimberley region of Western Australia ■ Many of Australia’s outback scenes
unusual Devils Marbles (Karwekarlwe) rock also features rock art and cave paintings were shot around rugged Western
formation in the Northern Territory. including the Bradshaw or Gwion Gwion paint- Australia’s East Kimberley region,
For man-made attractions, Longreach in ings, which are believed to be 60,000 years old. one of the world’s last true wildernes
central Queensland features the Stockman’s Tourists can gain an insight into Aboriginal areas and reached by a three-hour
Hall of Fame, which focuses on outback life, culture by learning about traditional food, flight from Perth to Kununurra (Hotel
while the Qantas Founders Museum is a place known as bush tucker, listening to Dreamtime Kununurra was where the cast and
dedicated to Australia’s national airline, which stories around a campfire, or finding out how crew liked to drink after
began life in the area. Another Aussie icon, the to play a didgeridoo or throw a boomerang. finishing filming for the
song Waltzing Matilda, is celebrated at the day). The area’s red soil,
museum in nearby Winton. SPACE FOR ADVENTURE wide-open skies,
There are plenty of activities across all budgets dramatic gorges and
ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES for those who want to get the adrenaline waterfalls, as well as
The outback is the spiritual home to Australia’s flowing in the outback, from horseback rides to vast cattle stations such
indigenous people and it’s the best place to tackling rugged 4WD tracks. Other options as El Questro, feature in
learn about their 50,000-year history. range from sleeping in a swag bag under the the movie
Aboriginal stories revolve around spirituality. stars to joining a desert camel train or canoeing
They connect people with their land through on one of the many rivers. ■ Locations also include the distinctive
art, dance, music and mystical journeys, Darwin is a great base for these experiences beehive-like mounds of the Bungle
known as Dreamtime, when ancestral spirits with 4WD tours into nearby Kakadu or Gregory Bungle Range and sandstone
came to earth and created all things. There has National Parks; Western Australia’s Gibb River escarpments of the Cockburn Range
been a huge growth in tourism businesses Road takes tourists through the historic Bungle
Published in association with Tourism Australia
21
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36