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7 Most Remote Towns in Australia to Escape the Crowds

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Head of Bight lookout in the Nullarbor, South Australia

Head of Bight in Southern Australia

With gorgeous scenery, captivating wildlife, and ancient Aboriginal culture, you can find the exciting and enticing in remote destinations that demonstrate the spirit of Australia.

The country can become crowded with travelers and locals, but refuge can be found in hidden gems in fantastical landscapes or remote towns that lie off the beaten path.

Whether traveling in a 4x4 vehicle, hiking the faded pathways that follow ancient Aboriginal trails, or exploring open waters to reach distinct island territories, the following remote destinations will reawaken your love for adventure far from the madding crowds.

Overview
  1. 1. Wave Rock in Hyde Wildlife Park, Western Australia
  2. 2. Cape York, Far North Queensland
  3. 3. Kiwirrkurra Community, Western Australia
  4. 4. Macquarie Island, Tasmania
  5. 5. Wolfe Creek Crater, Western Australia
  6. 6. Uluru, Northern Territory
  7. 7. The Nullarbor, South Australia and Western Australia
  8. Immerse Yourself In Australia’s Most Remote Destinations

1. Wave Rock in Hyde Wildlife Park, Western Australia

Rock formation that looks like a wave in Hyde Park Wildlife Park, Western Australia

Wave Rock in Hyde Park Wildlife Park in Western Australia

This fascinating rock formation is among the most remarkable and far-flung geological phenomena in the country. The stunning contours of the rock wall stand 49 feet tall and 360 feet long, and resemble a rising wave crafted out of granite.

The destination captures the stories of Dreamtime told by the local Ballardong people, who believed the Rainbow Serpent created its captivating curves and upward slope when dragging her swollen body over the landscape after drinking all the region’s water.

Signs around the rock provide visitors with insight into its natural and cultural history, and in spring, orchids blossom along the shaded floor of the Sheoak trees, creating a romantic ambiance perfect for an Australia tour for couples.

2. Cape York, Far North Queensland

Fruit Bat Falls in Cape York, Far North Queensland

Fruit Bat Falls in Cape York, Far North Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia

The Cape York Peninsula protrudes from the continental mainland, creating Australia’s northernmost tip.

Access to the landscape is limited to four-wheel-drive vehicles and tour companies knowledgeable about the untamed wilderness, which captures the unique blend of rainforest and rocky headlands, and leads to white beaches that edge coral reefs.

Nature enthusiasts and adventurers in search of pristine scenery will find rugged national parks and immaculate waterfalls accentuated by the charm of secluded beaches, all of which showcase what many consider Australia’s last true wilderness area. Discover the best time to visit Australia for more information on the months Queensland’s Far North is reachable.

3. Kiwirrkurra Community, Western Australia

Lake Mackay, near the Kiwirrkurra Community in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia

Lake Mackay, near the Kiwirrkurra Community, in Western Australia

The Kiwirrkurra Community is known as the most remote in the country. It is located in the Gibson Desert, nearly 430 miles west of Alice Springs and over 745 miles east of Port Hedland.

The indigenous community is passionate about maintaining its cultural heritage, with fishing and hunting the primary means of gathering food, and story-telling, singing, and performing a means of entertainment.

Whether looking for more adventure destinations in Australia or eager to indulge in a community excursion, travelers may visit the friendly village within the low-lying landscape in 4x4 vehicles to discover how the remote settlement has shaped the way locals live. It’s a truly memorable Australian experience.

4. Macquarie Island, Tasmania

King penguin colony on Macquarie Island, Tasmania

King penguin colony on Macquarie Island, Tasmania

The majestic landscape of Macquarie Island once attracted sealers searching the sub-Antarctic waters, but has since become popular with explorers eager to visit secluded areas of the world.

Walking trails around the uninhabited island allow you to stroll through ocean mist and strong winds that whip onshore from the Arctic Sea, enhancing your position in the middle of nowhere.

Park rangers accompany visitors and provide insight into the island’s residents, vast populations of penguins and seals. The region hosts one of the largest endemic colonies of royal penguins and boisterous herds of elephant seals that fight on the pebbled shoreline. Coupled with one of Australia’s best scenic drives, you can experience the peace of being remote and the wonders of untouched nature during your personalized trip.

5. Wolfe Creek Crater, Western Australia

Wolfe Creek Crater, Western Australia

Wolfe Creek Crater, Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia

Wolfe Creek is the second best-formed crater in the world, the result of a meteorite impact approximately 300,000 years ago.

The crater is over 196 feet deep after thousands of years of erosion and wind that have affected the landscape. The powerful remains of the impact were only discovered in 1974, giving an idea of the incredible size of Australia and its many isolated areas.

Here you can learn about its history with the local Indigenous people, who use the landmark in their Dreamtime stories, and admire the acacia and eucalyptus trees that grow up to 26 feet above the darker patches of vegetation along the contours of the crater floor. With the right Australia trip planner, you can find the best route for including Wolfe Creek Crater on your vacation.

6. Uluru, Northern Territory

Uluru, Ayers Rock, in Australia's Northern Territory

Uluru in Australia's Northern Territory

While recent charter flights and small airlines have allowed easier access to the iconic rock formation, its enchanting ambiance and feeling of seclusion remain.

As one of the best national parks in Australia, Uluru is set in the remote outback of the Simpson Desert, an area encompassing 65,637 square miles of oxidized sand and rock, accounting for the rusty-red color for which the region is known.

The majesty of Uluru derives from the immense size of the monolith that rises out of the surrounding flat landscape and the shifting colors of the rock face throughout the day. Sunlight causes the surface to change from a glowing purple to a rusty orange, a sizzling red to a dark silhouette.

7. The Nullarbor, South Australia and Western Australia

Whale and calf at the Head of Bight in Southern Australia

Whale and calf at the Head of Bight. Photo courtesy of Southern Australia Tourism Commission

The border between South Australia and Western Australia is 781 miles long at its widest point and sure to be one wild ride.

The wide-open, pristine Australian outback becomes the focus of your drive along the semi-arid plain that’s wedged between the goldfields of Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula of the south. During your travels, you will pass scenery flush with bluebush, mulga scrub, wildflowers, grazing emus, bouncing kangaroos, and wild camels.

One of the most popular destinations during a road trip is the Head of Bight, where a platform provides excellent whale-watching between June and October. Search for more ideas on how to explore the remote areas of the country with our sample Australia safari tours.

Immerse Yourself In Australia’s Most Remote Destinations

Wolfe Creek Crater in Western Australia

Wolfe Creek Crater in Western Australia

Whether you want to peer over the enormous, ancient Wolfe Creek Crater with barely anyone else in sight or cross the untamed, flower-flecked desert lands of the Australian outback, you can find new insights on tours and expeditions within the country’s most remote and rugged destinations with Zicasso’s Australia travel guide.

Our Australia tours and vacations combine unadulterated adventure with tranquil seclusion, allowing you to delight in the country’s beauty away from the crowds when you are ready to travel off the beaten path.

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