Outback

The Australian Outback
a land of open spaces

As the day cools we depart the upland rainforest and take a short drive west through a variety of forest types to the beginnings of the Australian outback.

This change in vegetation, from wet rainforest to dry eucalypt forest, in such a short distance emphasizes the rain shadow effect that the Great Dividing Range has over the vast interior of Australia.

Eucalypt forest

Termite mound

This vast, dry land, scattered with giant termite mounds and gnarled eucalypt trees has in the past been used by Australia's pastoral industry for beef cattle grazing. 

A large parcel of this fragile land has recently been purchased by Australian Wildlife Conservancy for nature conservation.

Tawny Frogmouths

Mitchell River

This is the catchment of the Mitchell River which is Australia's second largest river system and is without doubt one of its most impressive and ecologically diverse. 

This area contains more species than the famous Kakadu National Park. In fact it supports 40% of Australia's bird species and 30% of our mammal species. 

The home journey is broken with a stop en route at a vantage point overlooking the coastal plains and the Coral Sea lagoons of the Great Barrier Reef. You will return to your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30pm.

Your visit to this major Australian river catchment will have provided you with fascinating insights into upland and lowland tropical rainforest, the Australian outback, a variety of eucalypt woodland types, majestic riverine melaleuca forests and most importantly, 
many of the mammals and birds that inhabit these complex and diverse eco-systems.