Australia's Golden Outback Holiday Planner

The

GASCOYNE

MURCHISON

If you dream of a real Australian outback adventure, look no further than the extraordinary Gascoyne- Murchison region, with Mount Augustus - Australia’s largest rock, rich red earth, rugged ranges, ancient rock features, vast sheep and cattle stations, Aboriginal culture and awesome drive trails.

Ancient Kennedy Range

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How to get there By Road:

This outback area is dotted with dozens of tiny, character-filled towns, each showing a distinctive personality that has contributed to their survival. In the wildflower season, the region is a riot f colour as the rains bring forth a blanket of wildflowers that stretch as far as the eye can see. The Murchison is particularly well-known for its stunning carpets of everlastings that cover entire fields in pinks, whites and yellows. The wondrous ancient geology, local culture and landscapes have inspired the Shires of Mount Magnet, Yalgoo, Sandstone, Cue, Murchison, Meekatharra and Wiluna to join together to form a ‘Murchison Geo Region - Aspiring Geopark’ to further tantalize visitors with new awareness and astonishing sites. One of the best ways to explore the Gascoyne-Murchison is by following one or more of the Outback Pathways. These self drive pathways criss-cross the region and showcase the many natural wonders of this magical landscape.

Everything is big here. The giant Mount Augustus looms above its surrounding

75 | Esperance & The Coast | australiasgoldenoutback.com landscape, twice the size of Uluru (Ayers Rock), and stands majestically as the largest rock in the world, shrouded in Aboriginal mythology and echoed in carvings, believed to be pre-Dreamtime.

The Gascoyne-Murchison has a good network of sealed and all-weather roads. There are also the gazetted Outback Pathway trails that make for an enjoyable self drive adventure. By Air: Skippers flies regular air services from Perth to Wiluna, Meekatharra and Mount Magnet. Reservations 1300 729 924. By Coach: Transwa operates coaches to a number of the Gascoyne-Murchison towns - including Yalgoo, Mount Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra. Tel: 1300 662 205.

Similarly spectacular landscape is evident at the Kennedy Range National Park. This huge elevation of breathtaking cliff face, gorge and rock is between 10 kilometres and 25 kilometres wide and covers 75 kilometres in a north-south direction. The Gascoyne-Murchison region is also home to vast cattle stations, established with pioneering spirit that refused to give in to some of the most unforgiving land on earth. A network of stations welcomes guests to stay and a chance to experience the unique lifestyle. They offer a range of accommodation including homesteads, self-contained cottages, shearers quarters, caravan and camp sites and even sleeping in a swag under the brilliant star-filled sky. In this extensive region, the night skies are clear, bright and endless.

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