Hitting the open road. Camping under the stars. Standing amongst some of the most beautiful natural scenery without any other tourists…this is exactly what native tourism boards are imploring Aussies to undertake, but in Australia itself. Rather than a holiday to Disneyland in USA or the busy streets of London, there are many who would prefer families to take a road trip to Australia’s glorious outback instead. Linda Tillman, marketing coordinator for the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, said that Australia has so many unique things to offer and Aussies shouldn’t be perturbed by the hot weather or supposed dangerous animals. “A big thing for us is showing families that an outback Queensland holiday experience is not as scary as perhaps they may think…we want to provide them with suggested itineraries [and] hints and tips on how to prepare,” she said. “That’s what we can offer with [the state of] Queensland – sit around the fire, meet some great outback characters and listen to some stories about Australia.”
Beginning an Oz road trip isn’t even as hard as many might think. Travel apps like Hopper can tell you when and where to go, and RV rental companies such as Campanda.com allow Aussie families to plan everything online and avoid endless phone calls or visits to travel agencies. Additionally, travel writer Brigid Delany for The Guardian, recently wrote about how Australians should not neglect their own country. “We only get to know our own country after we’ve spent all our time elsewhere – in more glamorous parts of the world,” she wrote. By taking a trip to the world-famous Uluru, or Ayers Rock, Delany was simply awestruck about how incredible and mysterious the location was: “It’s a strange feeling, and one I have only felt in Australia. It’s subtle and strange, almost otherworldly, demanding silence and surrender. I’ve experienced awe in many other parts of the world, but the awe I have experienced in my own country has a different quality. Reflecting on ten years working as a travel writer, my favorite trips have been ones in my own country.”
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