Australia is a dream destination for most – a far-off land of red earth, stunning coastlines, cuddly kangaroos and koalas, and Crocodile Dundee. I think of the Outback – my “favourite place” entry for the letter O:

Uluru is a big rock – a big red rock actually, set in virtually the dead centre of the Australian Outback, and hundreds of kilometres from any human habitation save the nearby base camp, Yulara. But despite its remoteness, Ayer’s Rock, as the aboriginal sacred site is still sometimes called, is one of Australia’s top attractions, welcoming thousands each year to hike around it, fly over it, and sip sundowners in front of it as the geological formation famously takes on every colour in the red/brown palette (literally) under the sun. Alas, visitors can no longer climb it, as I once managed to do.

But there is more to the Outback than its famed rocks for climbing and toasting. “The Outback symbolizes remote desert places, red dirt and flies to many people,” summarizes Travel Outback Australia. Which is to say, it’s the idea of it.

One can certainly do without the flies – swatting them from your face is so ubiquitous it’s called the “Australian Wave” – but it’s the former that draws visitors and inspires minds like mine. Endless vistas, big blue sky, the independent spirit of the people, including the local aboriginal population with their rich Dreamtime culture (if not sad, modern history).

A great way to discover the true essence of the region, which encompasses most of the central part of the Australian continent, is by bus, or, better still, on the legendary Ghan train, which runs between Adelaide and Darwin, stopping over in Alice Springs. Along the way, one will gaze for hours at the horizon, marvel at end-of-the-earth towns like Coober Pedy, and certainly come across some of the local inhabitants – ‘roos, emus, and, er, those flies.

The entire trip takes 47 hours, but it’s worth every one of them.

Honourable mention: Oslo, Norway
Bucket list: Orkney Islands, Scotland

Unlike the song, I have not been everywhere, so please don’t wonder why one of your favourites wasn’t one of mine. Instead, tell me at baginski@travelindustrytoday.com. I’m already thinking about my next list.

Stay tuned to future issues for the rest of the list. And for previous entries, click HERE.