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Yeah I think the remoteness really ups the cost factor. It's not TOO bad if you want to just maybe get a glimpse of Kakadu or Uluru, but if you want to 'properly' explore the Outback your options are limited to self-drive or expensive 'adventure' type touring. The one upside to all of this is the crowds in even Uluru aren't what you'd find in Grand Canyon National Park. We really are blessed to have so much open space in this country!
Its not the open space as there is plenty of that in the SW. Its the proximity.
The Grand Canyon is 7 hours from LA, 4 1/2 from Vegas and 3:45 from Phoenix.
Uluru is lucky being so isolated. If it were as close as the Grand Canyon to major cities it would be a different type of experience? Viewing the sunset on the rock would be an even more annoying crowded experience.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minibrings
Its not the open space as there is plenty of that in the SW. Its the proximity.
The Grand Canyon is 7 hours from LA, 4 1/2 from Vegas and 3:45 from Phoenix.
Uluru is lucky being so isolated. If it were as close as the Grand Canyon to major cities it would be a different type of experience? Viewing the sunset on the rock would be an even more annoying crowded experience.
Well yeah, of course we don't have countless cities dotting the country like the US. Which is why I never felt as much 'in the wilderness' in the US, although there are certainly parts which are pretty remote, one doesn't get the sense of absolute isolation you would say being smack bang in the Gibson Desert in Central WA, the nearest TOWN of any size, let alone city, at least a 12 hour drive away.
Well yeah, of course we don't have countless cities dotting the country like the US. Which is why I never felt as much 'in the wilderness' in the US, although there are certainly parts which are pretty remote, one doesn't get the sense of absolute isolation you would say being smack bang in the Gibson Desert in Central WA, the nearest TOWN of any size, let alone city, at least a 12 hour drive away.
I don't believe there are any roads going into the Gibson Desert.
Much of interior Australia is also protected aboriginal land, and there is no right of access anyway.
The Great Victoria Desert which is directly above the Nullarbor Plain in WA and SA, has virtually no roads going into it.
Last edited by Derek40; 01-06-2012 at 05:25 PM..
Reason: geography error!
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,029,399 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek40
I don't believe there are any roads going into the Gibson Desert.
Much of interior Australia is also protected aboriginal land, and there is no right of access anyway.
The Great Victoria Desert which is directly above the Nullarbor Plain in WA and SA, has virtually no roads going into it.
No sealed roads but there are dirt tracks if you have a vehicle with off-road capability. One can do Perth to Uluru to Cairns by 4WD, will probably take you a few weeks if you're going at a leisurely pace but something I hope to do one day. A lot more preparation than your average cross-country drive across a national highway.
Well yeah, of course we don't have countless cities dotting the country like the US. Which is why I never felt as much 'in the wilderness' in the US, although there are certainly parts which are pretty remote, one doesn't get the sense of absolute isolation you would say being smack bang in the Gibson Desert in Central WA, the nearest TOWN of any size, let alone city, at least a 12 hour drive away.
Next time you come get a car and I can show you places, say 40 minutes outside NYC where u can hike and not see a soul for hours. same in n new england
In the outback you could go hiking and not see a soul for months, a vehicle is essential. You can not compare this wilderness with a hike 40 minutes out of a major city. It's true frontier country, you have a feeling of total isolation from civilisation, and being enveloped by nature.
Mine vote is for Lord Howe Island, this is added to the UNESCO world heritage list due its pristine beauty.Marine of here is just amazing.
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