Family friendly activities on the Outback Loop
Had enough of beach getaways with the kids? Looking for something a little more adventurous? Dotted with sites and attractions, wildlife and ancient landscapes, there are plenty of family-friendly activities in the Outback waiting to be uncovered. Come and join us - we dare you!
Museums, wildlife experiences, festivals and tours - you name it, Australia’s Outback has it! And not only does the red-dyed earth of Australia tickle the interest of the nature-loving or adventure-seeking adult, but there are also heaps of activities to captivate your kids and teach them a thing or two!
There’s no shortage of things to do in the Outback for families. History, culture, geology and conservation, our vast backyard inspires curiosity within people of any age and sends them home with incredible memories.
Things to do in the outback for families
Pack the car with snacks, bring the colouring books, a couple of travel games and load up a Spotify playlist, because an Outback road trip awaits your family this year. Give your kids something unforgettable to share during Show and Tell at school, with the help of our list of family friendly activities in the outback. Get ready, set, plan!
Discover the ancient world of dinosaurs
What better way to kickstart your trip to the Outback than with a visit to a world of dinosaurs? Home to the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world, The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Outback Queensland will show the kids a roar of a time, whilst teaching adults a whole lot too. Explore a laboratory stuffed with old dinosaur fossils, a collection room and a Dinosaur Canyon!
Try your hand at opal noodling in Coober Pedy
You never know what you might find in Coober Pedy’s opal mines (and whatever you find, you get to keep!). Also known as fossicking, opal noodling involves sifting for small pieces of precious opal which has been accidentally discarded by miners. Did you know that some people actually collect these tiny pieces to make a living? The opal that you find whilst you noodle in Cooper Pedy is yours to keep. So head on over and try your hand - the kids will love looking for these Outback gems!
Visit the most remote festival in the world
Who said the Outback was quiet? We’ll let you into a little secret - there’s a party here you don’t want to miss. Every July, Birdsville’s Big Red Bash kicks off in the vast plains of Australia’s Outback and thousands of people gather to listen to a knockout lineup at the most remote music festival on the planet. Head off the beaten track with your partner, your friends or your little ones and set up camp under the stars. The famously welcoming atmosphere of the Big Red Bash awaits!
Meet Australia's most famous endangered marsupial
The endangered Bilby is a marsupial you may not have met before (until now). Bring the kids along to Charleville in Queensland’s Outback and come face to face with Australia’s most endangered marsupial. Small, burrowing, nocturnal and long-eared, this cute little creature is part of a breeding and release program in Charleville. Take the tour with the kids and learn a little about these precious animals.
Discover the night sky with an astronomy tour
The Outback is all about red earth and unending glittery skies. But since you’ll be spending most of your time on the ground, why not put some aside for exploring the night sky? Ecotourism accredited Arkaroola is home to state of the art Astronomical Observatories as well as some of the best night sky conditions in the Southern Hemisphere! All ages will be excited to discover the stunning views and otherworldly perspectives of the southern skies. This might just be the start of your childrens’ dreams of becoming an astronaut!
Tour the Outback’s very best silo art
We’ve all seen some silo art in our time, but did you know there are 52 silo art locations to be spotted across Australia? Each part of the Australian Silo Art Trail, these artsy towers range in theme and style and share precious stories of the Outback. As you drive through the landscape, make sure to stop and check out each piece of art you find. Maybe take a family photo in front of each for the family photo album. When it comes to family friendly activities in the Outback, this is the ultimate choice!
Hire a canoe at Innamincka
So much more than just a pub, the Innamincka Hotel will charm you with its traditional outback hospitality, comfortable amenities and a whole lot of Outback activity too. Innamincka Hotel offers eco-certified tours in a remote outback oasis located between two colossal deserts. Channel Country is alive with lush growth, birdlife and wildlife, and you can even hire kayaks for some family fun. Uncover Cooper Creek at your own leisure as you glide down stream - you’ll feel like real adventurers!
Kick back on a Cooper Creek sunset cruise
Whilst you’re spending a night or two at Innamincka, why not spend some more time out on Cooper Creek? But this time, make it a little more comfortable. Guides trained in sustainable practices at Innamincka Hotel proudly host Cooper Creek cruises aboard the ‘Kingfisher’, where guests can sit back and relax with canapes and drinks. One and a half hour cruises will see you gliding past birdlife and local animals and then by evening, noisy insects and riverside campfires make things even more exciting!
Explore the Outback by bike
You can ride a bike just about anywhere, but you and your family have never done it anywhere this good. Winding its way along the beach and the beautiful coastline of the Spencer Gulf, with the view of mountains in the distance, bike hire in the Flinders Ranges is an absolute must. Head through Wadlata Outback center and along the Port Augusta Heritage trail at your own pace and stop by the award winning Arid Lands Botanic garden for a drink and a snack. The less adventurous among us need not worry; Electric Bikes and Electric Trikes are available too!
Family adventures with the help of the Outback Loop
Driving the spectacular Outback Loop with the family will be remembered for many years to come. Put down the iPads and pick up the roadmaps this year as you traverse remote gorges, dig for dinosaur bones and unveil the beauty of the Milky Way in the dark of night.
Join us for an adventure of a lifetime, with the help of the Outback Loop. We’ll help you locate all the family-friendly activities in the Outback and get the most out of your trip.