xyz

Hello.<BR><BR>I'm planning a trip out to Sydney this year and am considering viewing the Outback for a couple of days. I was just wondering if it really is 'all that', and how it compares to Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon in the USA. <BR><BR>Please advise.<BR><BR>xyz

liz

When you are talking about viewing "the outback" in Australia you are talking about 3/4 of the size of the USA and when you ask how does it compare with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon you are asked for two small specific areas so you are asking us to compare apples with oranges and that cannot be done.

Kay

I have seen a fair bit of the Australian outback and also Grand Canyon and Bryce and I think the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon are far more spectacular. That's not to say our outback doesn't have things going for it, like the Australian wildlife for example. Perhaps you should see it for yourself and make up your own mind.<BR>Kay

xxx

Liz,<BR><BR>Perhaps you can help me gain more insight about the 'Outback', as obviously I know very little. I only know of Ayers Rock, Uluru, and Darwin. What are your favourite spots or any suggestions for just a 2-day trip from Sydney??? Appreciate your advice.<BR><BR>Cheers.

John in Miami

Hmmm...<BR><BR>Just defining where the Outback begins is difficult. Some say it's anything west of the Blue Mountains. Others say it starts at the NSW/SA border. Still others say it's anywhere not in the city. Regardless, it's a HUGE area, easily the size of the entire western United States, if not larger.<BR><BR>You won't find anything like the Grand Canyon in Oz. There are some spectacular canyons across the country but nothing approaching the scale of the Grand Canyon. On the other hand, if you're looking for desert landscapes, a brilliant sky full of stars and peaceful solitude, nothing we have here in the States compares with the Outback.<BR><BR>Tell us a little more of your interests (hiking, wildlife, etc.) and I'm sure someone on the board will have more detailed info for you. Keep in mind though that distances in the Outback are great and, depending on your mode of transportation, you may not get to see much in two days.<BR><BR>John in Miami

ALF

For Ozzies, "The Outback" represents the areas beyond urban/suburban regions. It encompasses a huge part of the country and ranges from tropical rainforests to semi-arid grasslands to hot dry deserts. It sounds like you should refer to the, "Red Center" in your inquiries - then folks will know that you are talking about the region around Uluru. By the way, "Uluru" is the Aboriginal name for "Ayers Rock". <BR><BR>I don't know how much time you have, but if you could, I would try to spend at least a week between Alice Springs and Uluru/Kata Tjuta. Along the way, you can take a hike in Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon), which has some topography similar to parts of Utah's Zion Canyon. I think that you will find the Red Center to be quite unique and awe-inspiring despite the lack of eye-popping scenery such as the Grand Canyon. <BR><BR>You aren't going to see much similarity between the U.S. desert southwest and the Red Center, primarily because the Red Center is geologically MUCH older - most of the canyons and mountains that once existed there are long eroded away. In constrast, the U.S. southwest has been recently (geologically speaking) uplifted, renewing active river erosion and the development of deep canyons.

liz

*Nothing* in the Australian Outback can compare with the WOW!! factor of the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon. <BR>I have flown over and around Ayers Rock but decided that it was such a little wow! that I would not wish to spend the money on a ground trip there. <BR>The Outback is dotted with extrememly interesting things, it is a way of life, a feeling of something different, but none of these things are close enough to Sydney to be able to see them in one day and to try and see the outback in that time will only lead to being disappointed. <BR>To mention some things perhaps: The town of Coober Pedy which is 90% underground, including shops and motels, the National Park of Kakadu with its link with the Aboriginal dream time and spectacular waterways, waterfalls and wildlife. Lawn Hill National Park which is near the site of a dinosaur stampede still etched into the ground. The grandness of the desert in all its glory. The Bungle Bungles in West Australia which probably would come close to the Wow factor of Bryce Canyon. The outback is a place which has to be experienced to understand and its very hard to explain. If you want some idea of it, get a copy of Bill Bryson's book on Australia - I cannot remember its name. He is a terrific writer and will keep you interested from cover to cover. He can give you a much better idea of our outback than I can.

Debbie

Hello,<BR>The book Liz is referring to is called, "In a Sunburned Country."<BR><BR>Debbie

ALF

I like the way Bill Bryson writes, and, "In a Sunburned Country" is certainly entertaining, but you will NOT gain much insight into Outback Australia from him! Bryson spent a few days in true Outback areas, and much of that time it seems that he was drunk.

liz

I can understand Bill Bryson getting drunk - I would too if I had to spend too much time in some of our outback. Then again in other areas I cannot get enough time there.

bill simpson

I agree with Liz. However I would say that Ayers Rock is O.K. for not more than a maximum of two days to do the Sounds of Silence & the barbeque at the Pioneer Outback, look at the Rock & leave. Alice Springs has its attractions (few) & Broken Hill, etc but there is an awful lot of nothing out there & a lot of distance between the limited attractions.

liz

Seriously though, xzy ( nice name) if you have only 2 days then I would spend them someplace other than the Outback. I don't think you would get your money's worth either in that time or for what you would see at Ayers Rock - its just a rock and without all the other bits and having time to do that as a destination I would not rate it very highly. As part of an outback vacation then yes I would go - no if its only 2 days because its a long way for not much reward. <BR>I arrived at the Grand Canyon in time for sunset and it was absolutely wonderful. Arranged a helicopter flight for the next morning and then fate took a hand and sent snow instead. Luckily it was only part of the grand trip and apart from being miffed that I didn't get my ride I still had a lot more to see and do and time to do it in. I rank the Grand Canyon as one of the most spectacular sites on this earth - in comparison Ayers rock doesn't come within striking distance and the places in the outback that do are much more than a 2 day fly-in. So spend you time wisely somewhere else, perhaps have some flexibility and if you like somewhere then stay a bit longer. Thats what I would do anyway for what its worth.

bill simpson

I, again, agree with Liz. I would only do Ayers Rock if I was in the area. I would not make it a separate trip, say from Sydney & back. We took a flight from Perth to Ayers Rock, two days later went from the Rock to Adelaide with a 6 hour stop in Alice Springs on our way to Hobart. In a case where it is a convenient stop for a couple of days, I would do it, otherwise I would use the time for somewhere else.