Australia is huge and it would take a lifetime to see it all. I know, I’m stating the obvious.
With a landmass of 7,617,930 square kilometres, a coastline spanning 25,760 kilometres and 20 percent of our land classed as desert there’s a lot of sublime nothingness to explore.
My latest published article focuses on some of that vastness on our half lap last July.
I’m always thrilled to have an article in print and this one, in the current (September/October) edition of On the Road magazine is no exception.
On our six week road trip last year we drove 9000kms through five states, crossing borders, enjoying an epic adventure whilst barely scratching the surface of outback Australia.
My article showcases a small part of our journey.
Australia’s longest shortcut
From Alice Springs and the East Macs we could have continued up the Stuart Highway and travelled across into Queensland on the bitumen Barkly Highway. However, we decided to take the adventurous route, along the Plenty ‘Highway’, which is part of the Outback way. As I wrote …
“The Outback Way is epic, there’s no doubt about it. Comprising seven interconnecting roads that go from Laverton Western Australia through to Alice Springs and finishing in Winton Queensland, it’s a mind boggling short cut, so vast and remote.
The most traffic we encountered were stray cows wandering across the road, though every so often a salute from a fellow caravanner reassured us we weren’t the only travellers out there.”
It was a dirty ride.
Dirty, slushy and, oh, so much fun. There was one ‘moment’ behind the wheel where I thought I was going to lose it. “Gun it” said the other half as I hammered through in four wheel drive, the red mud resembling a sinking pool of lava.
It had rained heavily the week before and the road had just reopened.
I remember feeling euphoric when we reached Tobermorey right on dusk, an outback cattle station with basic facilities yet to us an oasis of green after our day on the red earth tracks.
Beyond Tobermoray is more red dirt and an expanse of earth and nothingness that seeps into your soul. There’s something about big blue skies and an endless horizon that is infinitely peaceful. I never thought I would be so affected.
Middleton – the most remote pub in Outback Queensland
The next day we crossed the border into outback Queensland and the Plenty ‘Highway’ eventually gave way to a more civilised road. But still we felt in the middle of woop woop, i.e. miles from anywhere.
At dusk we reached our next destination, Middleton, the most isolated pubs in outback Quensland. Population 3.
Here we are, laying claim to our patch of earth at the ‘Hilton Hotel”.
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Hilton? Where’s the five star luxury, the spas and fancy restaurants? Where’s the high speed WiFi? Well, out here amid this red earthy landscape, you ain’t gonna find any of that.
What we’re graced with instead are five million stars under a clear sky and a sense of peace that connects you to something far more real.
Not to mention the pub across the road that serves a damn good roast pork meal.
As I summed up in my article “We pulled out our chairs and … I’m transfixed at the changing hues around us. The sense of isolation and the big spectacular skies epitomise outback Australia. This really is a land of plenty, it is vast and abundantly primitive and exploring even just part of its epic route is an adventure that will stay with you forever.”
It did for me.
It took months after we returned to get rid of all the red dust underneath the car and the camper. Tangible reminders of an epic short cut along one of Australia’s longest routes.
May you all find your own shortcut and enjoy whatever destination your journey is leading you on.
In light and love as we keep enjoying the journey, short cuts and all.
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Outanabout YOLO “You only live once”
hi Miriam, i see beauty everywhere in there, for sure one place to visit! Congrats on your article.
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Thanks Elizabeth, and yes, it’s definitely a beautiful place.
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I love it when you get surprised by the great outback pubs.
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Yep, especially when we meet really whacky publicans!
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Yea for you Miriam! Great post, and congrats on the article. Slipping about in the mud in the middle of nowhere is not for sissies!
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Lol, thanks Wendy. A sissy I sure ain’t!
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Great job with the articles Miriam. Xx
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Thanks Lorelle. xx
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yes, everyone needs a young Aussie girl to traverse the Outback. 🙂
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Fancy a trip Jim? I’ll be your guide. 🙂
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we could make a wrong turn and be lost for weeks. what would be the down side to that???
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Sounds fun to me. And I’m pretty good at getting lost!
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We need to get back to the outback. Thanks for such an amazing nudge.
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Thanks Peggy, glad you enjoyed. Hope you get back there soon.
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this brings back many memories of outback travels over the years. That red dust gets into everything! on our last trip we had a canvas bad with a big industrial size zipper down the middle. It kept the red dust out beautiful – except for the perfect red line where the zipper let it in!
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Haha, oh dear. If there’s a way for it to get in, it’ll get in!
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Ooopsy – ‘scuse the typos 🙂
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All good! 🙂
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Congratulations
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Thanks Derrick
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Congrats on having another article published Miriam! Clearly, you have a passion for travel and adventure. I’ve been in the desert, but never such vast stretches of open land with no roads and people. Thanks for sharing your awe.
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You’re very welcome Brad and thanks for your lovely comment. Yes, I have to admit there is an adventurous spirit inside me and I just love the open road. Hope you’re well.
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I doing OK, working part-time until I figure out what next.
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It’ll come to you, most probably when you least expect it.
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Thanks!
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Congratulations with another story print. It looks fantastic. It must have been fun to do.
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It sure was fun. An amazing adventure. Thanks Otto.
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One of the last, great frontiers. Thanks for sharing, Miriam!
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Absolutely Rob. And always happy to share. Thanks for dropping by.
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Great to see you in print again, Miriam 🙂 🙂 All that flatness is really strange to me, but the fading light and nights under the stars sound quite magical.
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They really were magical nights Jo, very special. x 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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Well done on your story success, Miriam. I’ve done the Barkly Highway twice and Mr ET many more times than that. It’s amazing when you’re the only ones within cooee.
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Absolutely. Very weird, just us and some cows there on the Plenty for awhile. 🙂 Loved it.
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First I want to congratulate you on your article. Well done you!
Your trip really sounds so otherworldly with starlit skies like that, without any light
pollution. I must say that Hilton hotel and the pub really look so tempting and peaceful.
Miriam
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Thanks so much Miriam and yes, you’re quite right about the Hilton, very peaceful and unlike any other “hotel” I’ve stayed at. xx
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Congratulations on the publication of your article. Australia looks beautiful.
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Thanks so very much Robert. It really is.
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I’m so with you on taking the less traveled path. My adventures here in Maine in the USA are just beginning, but here is a small taste of the “Outback” of Maine as it were! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MalL-EOZnuM
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Fabulous! Such pretty countryside and it was good to see Vinny again too. Thanks for sending me a snippet of your world John.
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Much more to come!
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Look forward to it.
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The feeling of being in the Outback is so hard to describe and foreign to so many. Catherine Britt sums it up beautifully in her song ‘Red Dirt’.
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She sure did. Just watched it on FB. Fabulous!
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Thanks for sharing
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You’re welcome.
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Good on ya. 🙂
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Beauty mate! 🙂
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Congratulations on the latest publication! This is a great piece, stories and photos both. I’ve traveled plenty of miles and taken a few long short cuts to get to a pub, but nothing like the bar here! Hope the beer was plenty cold, and plenty flowing…
Thanks, Miriam, really enjoyed this!
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Thanks Adam, coming from you that’s high praise. Yes the beer (and wine) was definitely flowing, as were the yarns at the bar. 🙂
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Congratulations on the article, Miriam.
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Thanks Coral.
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Quite a trip Marion. I love the population of 3! Hey hey! Another keen adventure and a great article and fun read. I can feel your excitement and sense of daring on a road less traveled.
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It really was an adventure Lorna and it’s always such a buzz to see my stories in print. Thanks for sharing in it. 🙂
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This is a kind of peculiar question, Miriam, but are cattle in the Outback fenced in?
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Sometimes they are and sometimes they’re not. We had a small herd heading straight towards us on the road at one stage.
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Some years ago, a friend of mine was speeding at 100 mph (161 kph) through an empty stretch of Wyoming. A cow decided to cross the road pretty much ride in front of him. He couldn’t avoid it. Fortunately, he was going so fast, the car flew the cow up in the air and over behind it to land dead on the road.
Is there a speed limit in the Outback?
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Yeah, there are speed limits in the Outback. In some parts of the Northern Territory the limit’s 130kmph but most roads are generally about 110kmph.
Wow, that poor cow never stood a chance.
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What an epic trip! You must have felt like you were the only people on earth at times, amazing. Such a different world. Great photos too.
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Yes, at times it did feel that way. Very isolated, remote and starkly beautiful, I loved it. Thanks Jonno.
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Just fabulous Miriam, you deserve all the accolades! Such a great way to see the country and to share it with us all is just a lovely gift. All the best 🙂
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What a lovely comment! Thanks so much Deb, I always appreciate your support and friendship. xx
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It is a lot of distant to do.
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Absolutely. And so worth it.
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Congratulations Miriam. It was a truly awesome adventure. Where are you off to next?
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Thanks Brigid, it certainly was. Our next trip? Definitely not so far and most likely down the coast, within the next couple of weeks. 🙂
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Congratulations Miriam. It was a truly awesome adventure. Cheers to your next trip. 🌼
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I love your articles about Australia, very inspirational.
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Thanks Jamie. I love your posts on NZ too. Still a place I have yet to get to.
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Congratulations on getting another article published, Miriam! And your trip sounded wonderful. Sometimes the only way to truly “get away from it all” is to physically do so….and what a gorgeous area to do it in!
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Thanks Ann. I consider myself very blessed to be able to do what I love to do, in such a beautiful country. Have a great week.
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Great to read more about your trip … congrats on the published article and your post!
Does the mag use your photos too Miriam? Only other place I’ve felt that vast exquisite connection was in the vast valleys and huge mountains in Tibet … that vastness and the sky gives a great feeling of space, peace and spiritual well being … being off grid adds to the unique experience 🙂
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It sure does. I’ve never been to Tibet but I can only imagine that sense of space and spiritual well being. Beautiful! Yes, they’re all my own photos. Thanks Kate. 🙂
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wow how wonderful and they pay you properly 🙂
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They certainly do. 🙂
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yipee, glad you are doing exactly what you want 🙂
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That makes two of us hey 😊
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+ your family + your friends + all those who love and adore you 😉
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Aww, you’re very kind. xx
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no just honest 🙂
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So wonderful, Miriam! What an adventure… I love part about the Hilton Hotel 🙂 The stars must’ve been absolutely incredible. Congratulations on the article, looks fantastic!! xox
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Thanks so much Jenny. It really was a great adventure. And yes, those stars … 💫 xx
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Congrats on your published article Miriam …and as always i enjoyed reading your adventure while at the same time envy you (lol) for having the courage to do it ..(i wish i’d have the same spirit as you)..
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Hi Mich, thanks very much for your lovely comment. Brave, I dunno, adventurous, yes. Hope you’re well. Big hugs 🙂
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Someday I will visit this beautiful country.
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Hope you do Bryan.
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Wow! What a journey! I’ve never thought that anyone would cross through the desert for kicks! It certainly is challenging territory! Thank you for sharing your experience!
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You’re very welcome. You’d be surprised how many people do it, plus we were taking a short cut! Hope you’re well.
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Miriam,
I love your description and how this trip seeped into your soul. I want to experience that, especially the stars! Beautiful, my friend!
Mona
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Thank you so much Mona. It really did seep into my soul.
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you are a fabulous writter and photographer. and real life adventures to write about and take pictures off. what a different life we lead. again congrats on the published piece and a fab blog post.
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You’re very kind Bella. Thank you my friend. xo
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That looks like an epic adventure! Congratulations on the article! xx
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Thanks so much Amy. It really was. (And thanks for reading, must get over and catch up with your blog soon, I’m so behind) xx
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I love the red dirt! We visited Cameron’s Corner via lightning ridge many years ago. Will never forget the red corrugated roads or the emus running alongside the 4WD. It is a beautiful counrty
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Sure is Lisa. We really do live in an awe inspiring country.
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I loved this! Oh my friend, my soul yearns for something like this, just vast open space with only the sounds of the earth and sky. No engines, no jets, no noisy neighbors, no traffic. I can only imagine the peace! Save me a slice next time you’re there. 😀
*hugs* xoxox
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Close your eyes and imagine yourself there Ness. We’ve all got that stillness in us regardless of the chaos of life but, yes, it sure helps when the every day noises are blocked out.
Thank you for your beautiful comment my friend. If I ever go back there I’ll take you with me. Big hugs xx
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I may just hold you to that! 🙂 xoxox ❤
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