While the coast of New South Wales is heavily populated with beach resorts and big cities, the outback of the far west is a different world altogether. Classic country towns offer a warm welcome, while rugged national parks boast magnificent desert landscapes and sacred Aboriginal sites.

Discover the mining legacy of Broken Hill while admiring its grand Federation-era architecture and learn about remote living in Australia at the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service and Broken Hill School of the Air. Head to Dubbo to visit the open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo where you can join a safari to glimpse big game African wildlife and endangered species like black rhinoceros and Sumatran tigers.

Hunt for opals in the mining town of White Cliffs and discover the dinosaur fossils of Lighting Ridge, then learn about the ancient indigenous history in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Explore the volcanic landscapes of Warrumbungle National Park that feature dramatic rock buttresses and go trekking through the spring-fed gorges lined with iconic snow gums.

Take a scenic drive through the Toorale National Park to experience its vast floodplain, with great fishing in the Darling and Warrego rivers. The seasonal wetlands here are renowned for their birdlife, with pelicans, ibis and brolgas all spotted. Also nearby is Gundabooka National Park, an area rich in Aboriginal heritage and part of the traditional lands of the Kurnu-Baakandji People. Witness the ancient rock art sites along the Mulgowan Aboriginal Art Site walking track and photograph the weathered red soils against the rugged peak of Mount Gunderbooka.