100 Reasons to Experience the Outback Way - A Photo Journal from Cairns to Perth - Part 2

Explore Australia

Sep 14

We travelled across the heart of Australia on an Aussie road trip that every kid (and adult) needs to experience at least once.

The Outback Way is due to be sealed in the next 5-10 years BUT I wouldn't wait......this 'dirt' road is virtually a highway. It provides a 'shortcut' through the middle of Australia and is regularly graded to allow access to remote communities and outback stations. Here's Part 2 of my 100 reasons why this trip should be on every families bucket list....

**Selfie Time a one of the most recognisable spots on the planet**

Click >> HERE << to see the first leg of our journey from Cairns to Alice Springs and Kings Canyon AND to read the first 50 Reasons to experience 'The Outback Way' (Part 1).

Continue on if you want to check out our journey from Uluru to Perth and discover the other 50 Reasons to experience the Outback Way......

51. You can marvel at the amount of traffic on the roads......NOT!!

52. You can see why people get confused when they get close to Uluru.

I see the rock!! Nope, I see ‘Fool-uru otherwise known as Mount Conner. — *I see the rock!! Nope, I see ‘Fool-uru otherwise known as* *Mount Conner*.

53. And discover why early explorers believed there was a great inland sea on this continent.

**“Nah….just a clay pan full of salt….nothing else” reported the kids after their 20-minute hike.**

54. Best of all you can enjoy the change of colours at one of the most iconic spots in the world.

**You really can’t believe this rock could get any redder……**

But then you keep watching…..

And watching…..

And watching…& fall in love – literally.

55. You can easily learn to appreciate the 'mass' appeal of this sacred site.

56. And be inspired to take more 'selfie' pics than ever before......this time with the group you've travelled half-way across the continent with.

**Stop taking pics of the rock….says no one ever!!**

57. And stumble across FREE WiFi in the oddest of spots (ie NOT a shopping mall).

58. And soak in a Field of Lights that rival the Outback's night sky.

I wasn’t expecting the ground to light up too…

It’s amazing how the colours shift as you’re watching

Bags not being the last one to leave & turn off all the lights….

59. And marvel as the sun rises and lights up the land from a different angle.

60. And see Kata Tjuta light up with the coming dawn.

**Is it possible to get a bad shot out here?**

**Can you think of a better view to wake up to??**

61. You can even try to work out what other critter's have left their tracks overnight in the red soil beneath your feet.

**There may be a few human footprints amongst all that red soil.**

62. And seek a more personal, close-up view of these monoliths.

63. And never tire of exploring…

Outback-Way Walpa Gorge @adventuremumma 1.jpg

Follow the red brick road…all the way into Walpa Gorge – where an oasis lays.

64. And feel the excitement of standing at the base of Uluru.

65. And take photos that will stay in your memory forever.

Mutitjulu Waterhole doesn’t disappoint — **Mutitjulu Waterhole** **doesn’t disappoint**

66. And have even more reasons to take even more selfies....

**Yep!! You guessed it. It’s ‘selfie time’**

66. But sometimes, just standing still in the rock's presence is enough.

Outback-Way water pools at Uluru @adventuremumma

67. Remembering to pull over for a final glimpse before you set off on the next leg of your road-trip.

**On the road again…after saying a quick goodbye**

68. And enjoy visions in your rear-view mirror that beat views of traffic any day.

**Say goodbye to Yulara and hello to the West.**

69. You can explore Legends of the Bush and see where they spent there last days.

**Now…if only we could find his gold…….**

70. And find time to capture yet another Family Photo.

**Could you ever tire of selfies out here???**

71. And see landscapes that remind you of paintings.

72. And learn about the people who helped provide access to the Outback.

Checking out Len Beadell‘s plaque, the man behind the Gunbarrel Highway & other legendary Outback roads. — **Checking out** **Len Beadell‘s plaque, the man behind the Gunbarrel Highway & other legendary Outback roads.**

73. And see how our modern-day explorers opened up these huge tracts of country.

Can’t even imagine how much dirt this grader from the Gunbarrel Road Construction Party would’ve moved…. — **Can’t even imagine how much dirt this grader from the** **Gunbarrel Road Construction Party** **would’ve moved….**

The original Len Beadell plaques still stand at the Giles Weather Station — **The original Len Beadell plaques still stand at the** **Giles Weather Station**

74. And spot other samples of Len Beadell's work on the journey.

**Len Beadell’s mural at the Giles Weather Station.**

75. And check out even more 'space junk' that's fallen from the sky.

**Feels like a close encounter of another kind…..**

76. And see the art of this country through the eyes of its people.

The people of the Warakurna creating art in the outback

The artist’s palette

The real artists of the Outback

77. And visit a community's Gallery that showcases 15 years of indigenous work.

**Feels like we’re in Melbourne…not the Outback**

78. And see how they've embraced other methods to create their art and share their stories.

Glassmaking at the community’s art centre at Warburton — **Glassmaking at the community’s art centre at** **Warburton**

79. And hit the road and wonder if you'll ever tire of those colours.

80. And discover a new thing on the menu at an Outback Roadhouse.

**Shall we throw a few of these on the barbie tonight??**

81. And congratulate yourself 'cause you've reached the END (or beginning) of 'The Outback Way' adventure...and officially driven "Australia's LONGEST Shortcut".

**Checking in at Laverton – the start, or finish of The Outback Way journey**

82. And take another 'selfie' 'cause you've done all these miles together (and are 'still' friends).

**One more selfie to celebrate our journey together**

83. And discover one of the most informative 'Outback Pioneer' galleries in Australia.

You need to check out the Great Beyond Explorer’s Hall of Fame at the Laverton Visitors Centre — **You** **need** **to check out the** **Great Beyond Explorer’s Hall of Fame** **at the Laverton Visitors Centre**

With the most extensive range of Len Beadell’s books for sale — **With the most extensive range of** **Len Beadell’s books** **for sale**

84. And never forget to stop and admire sunsets and 'smell' the roses wildflowers...

**Can you ever tire of an Outback sunset??**

85. And walk the streets of a Ghost Town.

Remnants of a once thriving community

All empty…deserted when the mine closed!

Can’t believe this stately pub had to shut its doors….

86. And appreciate the conditions that the miner's were living in up until the 1960's.

**“Mine’s closed….we’re outta here! Are we going to miss anything? Nuh.”**

87. And learn that a former US President started his working life out here, in the Aussie Outback.

**Herbert Hoover ran this mine back in 1898, a few years before he became US President**

How’s that for a Presidential view? Think I’d prefer something a bit more scenic in my front garden. — **How’s that for a** **Presidential view? Think I’d prefer something a bit more scenic in my front garden.**

88. And be saddened by a cemetery where typhoid killed the miners and they could only afford 'tin' headstones

At least the flowers lasted. — **At least the flowers lasted…**

89. And marvel at the oddness of Lake Ballard's artscape.

**It’s an art installation & it’s on a salt lake & yes, it’s worth seeing**

90. And see why photographers can't get enough of this landscape.

91. And remind yourself what an Outback Sunset is all about.

It really is a photographer’s dream out here — **It really is a** **photographer’s dream** **out here**

Even Kalgoorlie’s SuperPit looks pretty in this light — **Even** **Kalgoorlie’s SuperPit** **looks pretty in this light**

92. And marvel at the different shades of colour as the sun sets.

93. And marvel at the size of the industry that lies out this way.

**Just hanging out in a digger bucket…as you do.**

94. And try to get a handle on the depth of that mine.

**Who can spot the white car near the bottom of the pit? Bet you can’t read the rego plate**

95. And see how the kids measure up against the tools of the industry.

96. And be impressed by the weight of 'real' gold.

98. And walk streets that have been preserved since the heady days of the first BIG gold rush.

Whatever time of day, the main street & buildings of Kalgoorlie are truly beautiful — **Whatever time of day, the** **main street** **& buildings of Kalgoorlie are truly beautiful**

98. And be excited at how many miles you have done across the Outback.

**Quick! Get a shot before it changes to 6,000 kms.**

99. And be impressed at how little you need to take on an epic road trip like the Outback Way and how well the Britz Outback 4WD performed.

**Right, unpacked & ready for the next adventure!**

100. And visit a city on the other side of Australia for the very first time.

**The kids have never been this far West before**

And then we took a flight back home.....which was a lot quicker than the 2+weeks it took us to drive from Australia's East Coast to the West, Cairns to Perth.

BUT I know which trip the kids (and us) enjoyed the most...and I know which one will forever stay in our memory.

The Outback Way is a journey of a lifetime. It's there for everyone and it is definitely doable....no major 4WDing ability required (as we managed to prove to ourselves). Just a healthy respect for the Outback and a LOVE for taking the road less travelled. Don't miss it!

For more info on our roadtrip click below:

The Outback Way – A Great Central Road across Australia

For more info click below:

Don’t forget to comment below if you LOVE the pics, or are keen to set off yourself OR have any TIPS for fellow family travellers who may wish to take on this adventure.

To read the first 1-50 Reasons to Experience the Outback Way (Cairns to Kings Canyon) Click HERE.

Please Note: We travelled as guests of the Outback Way Development Board BUT all views, opinions and photos in this article are 100% my own.