Australia — the movie (and the real film star — the Outback)

OK, so still no review yet from me on the film — there have been lots of festive germs afoot in the LucyLovesAustralia household, so no cinema trips have been possible.

Still, the good news is all the press have been doing this job for me, and the reviews I've read say that the film is great, and while it is a little cheesy (according to some), it certainly has something for everyone. For me, the combination of Hugh Jackman looking rugged and some no-doubt equally rugged and beautiful Northern Territory scenery (even though I know some of it was filmed in Queensland!) and Western Australia landscape is enough to get me to eat popcorn for 163 minutes.

Nicole Kidman, director Baz Luhrmann and Hugh Jackman relax on location for Australia [image from The Times web site]

There is a fantastic interview with Baz Luhrmann (Director of the film 'Australia') by the Times here, describing where he travelled when researching and filming Australia — with Broome featuring as one of his highlights. If you're looking for an inspired itinerary for an Outback tour of Australia, you can't go far wrong but to follow his suggestions, which include 80-mile beach, Kununurra (home of the Bungle Bungles), and Darwin. I visited all these places on my very first trip to Australia in (don't tell me — I know it's a long time ago) 1996. In fact, Darwin was where I first arrived in Australia, and it only took a few days and we were on our very own 'Australia' adventure on a trip in the Kakadu, and then heading (by bus!) to Kununurra and on to Broome.

In those days, our budget didn't stretch to 'doing' the Kimberley in style (we were backpacking), but if I go back now it will be straight to El Questro, as recommended by Mr & Mrs Smith, and also the Sunday Times this weekend in their 5 Best Trips in the Australian Outback article.

Here's a quick summary of the '5 Best Trips' as reported in the Sunday Times, and a couple more ideas of my own:

The lush tropical gardens surround the El Questro Homestead, located in Western Australia's rugged Kimberley landscape
[image from El Questro web site]

El Questro — as mentioned. The 'ultimate' outback and wilderness escape is the El Questro homestead. It sounds completely fabulous, but does cost "between £863 and £1,137 for two nights". So there is also the other option of the El Questro Emma Gorge Resort at a more budget-friendly £103 a night to stay in "cute tented cabins".
Big Blue Air Touring — will fly you in a little plane all over the vast expanse of the Australian Outback. Sounds totally fabulous when you read the itineraries you could follow (4 states in 4 days!), although for me the reality would more likely be of white knuckles and a nervous stomach as am not a huge fan of small planes! I am almost more tempted by the cheaper alternative of a Britz camper van as suggested... almost... :) Much more up my street (track) is the other alternative — The Ghan — the luxury train that takes a trip from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory via Alice Springs (where you can also start/stop the journey). Now good news here is that I spotted a great deal on Travelzoo last week for a 5-day trip on The Ghan for AUD$1800 (usual price $2475!). This deal also includes $100 of 'train dollars' (which sounds like 'beer money' to me!), plus a hotel and tours in Darwin.
Home Valley Station — is a project run by the Indigenous Land Corporation that comprises a college, tours and accommodation in the beautiful East Kimberley. Described by themselves as "the pinnacle of outback comfort, adventure and hospitality". It looks fabulous, and I can't wait to visit one day for nice cold beer in the 'Dusty Bar and Grill'. You can camp there for less than £10 a night, but there are also great looking rooms for under £100 (so I'd probably go for that option...!).
The Working outback option is Wrotham Park — already mentioned in the Mr & Mrs Smith shortlist again (obviously quite good then). But it is nearly £700 a night for 2 people... so I wouldn't want to be doing too much sheep-shearing for that! If you want to be a Jackaroo or Jillaroo (Aussie 'cowboy' equivalent) for a lot less ££ then there is a "5-day package of outback life and adventure" for AUD$990 (under £500) at the Charles Darwin University 'rural' campus. Not sure it's for me though, as everyone looks very muddy in the photos!

A little low cloud partially masking The Three Sisters, up in the Blue Mountains, one of the highlights of a visit to the Blue Mountains, 'just up the road' from Sydney
Accessible Outback is the last 'best trip', and accessible it may be distance-wise (it's only 2 hours from Sydney), but not so accessible on the wallet! 'From' £712 per night per couple, the Blue Mountains Safaris sound great but they're not cheap. I say book a few nights here at the Falls Mountain Retreat, and do some bush walking... especially via the Conservation Hut Cafe!

It would be a mistake to miss out on the 'real' Australia by not seeing and appreciating some of the vast expanses of nothingness and breathtaking scenery. Still one of the best things ever was our dawn balloon trip over the outback with miles and miles and miles of nothing in every direction.

See the film if you can, but even better — try and see Australia.