The Australian way

'The Australia Way’, a breathtaking new journey through the heart of Australia’s majestic outback, has launched. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s much anticipated epic drama, Australia, the new touring route enables visitors to experience at first hand the dramatic scenery and characters that so inspired the Australian film director.

Opening across the UK on Boxing Day, ‘Australia’ tells the story of an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), and a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) who drive a 1,500 herd of cattle across Northern Australia.

Taking a recommended 11 days, the 1,875km route will allow visitors to see the landscapes hat provided the breathtaking natural backdrops and sets for the film, as well as meet local stockmen and cattle drovers who are the ‘real’ cast of the movie.

Extending across the north-western corner of Australia, the route starts in the vibrant and tropical harbour city of Darwin, then winds its way through red escarpments, lush waterholes and remote cattle stations before ending up in the exotic pearling town of Broome.

During the journey, visitors can spend two nights in Darwin; two nights in Kakadu National Park and a night in the beauty of Katherine before crossing the border into Western Australia to stay one night in Kununurra, two nights at El Questro Wildnerness Park or Home Valley Station and overnight at Halls Creek, culminating in Broome.

Created in partnership by Tourism NT and Tourism Western Australia, the movie-inspired route is set to become a classic Outback Australian journey.

Drive highlights include:

• A natural cast – The journey takes in endless natural wonders of red desert landscapes and spectacular gorges. Think soaring rock escarpments and vast floodplains of dual World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park east of Darwin, or the famous beehive-like mounds of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park.

• Learn to be a real cattle drover -Saddle up in the Outback community of Katherine for some whip cracking action on a cattle station at the Outback Jackaroo and Jillaroo School. Mix with the real cowboys and learn the basics of property maintenance, quad biking, horse riding and cattle mustering. Or try your hand at a real ‘mini’ muster at Home Valley Station where they can ‘turn on’ a cattle muster and allow visitors to enjoy the thrill and excitement of controlling cattle in a safe and educating environment.

• Outback adventure – Make your ‘Australia Way’ journey as adventurous as you dare. Gain a new perspective on stunning natural attractions such as the Bungle Bungles or Kakadu on a scenic flight, canoe down the breathtaking Katherine River, or for those who want to get off the beaten track, opt for the rugged unsealed Gibb River Road – a 660km ‘bush track’ that connects the remote Kimberly cattle stations and Kununurra. It’s a true outback 4WD adventure.

• ‘Star’ locations - Feel like a star and visit the locations frequented by the cast and crew during filming. Dine at the celebrated Hanuman Restaurant or Roma Bar in Darwin where Nicole and Hugh could be found when the cameras stopped rolling. In Kununurra head to the Kununurra Hotel, a popular watering hole for the cast and crew, and make sure to find your way to Kimberley Fine Diamonds, where Nicole Kidman picked-up some sparkling gifts for her friends and family.

• Historic – Darwin forms the backdrop for the final scenes of the moving, at a tense point in the city’s history – 19 February, 1942. Darwin’s involvement in World War II is evident at the many preserved sites in and around the city including the East Point Military Museum and the World War Two Oil Storage tunnels. Explore the beauty of Darwin Harbour aboard the restored pearling lugger - Anniki -as featured in the film, before dining at historic Stokes Hill Wharf where Kidman arrives in a Catalina plane. At the end of your Outback adventure, relax in Broome an old pearling town with a fascinating pioneer history.

• Aboriginal culture – Immerse yourself in ancient Aboriginal culture and some of the best Indigenous rock art in the country. Along the way you will witness exceptional displays of Northern Territory rock art in Nitmiluk Gorge (near Katherine) Manning Gorge and Kakadu National Park. Across the border you can experience Western Australia’s world-famous Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings or visit the community-run art centres that offer authentic artworks for you to purchase.

• Outback romance - Nothing is more romantic that an Outback sunset. Take a sunset camel ride on Broome’s world famous 22 kilometre Cable Beach, enjoy the radiating colours that bring the Cockburn Range alive on an evening sunset tour or experience sunset at Ubirr, a sacred Aboriginal rock art site in Kakadu National Park. You can even witness some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets as you cruise the north-west coastline on board a luxury yacht.

So reach for your popcorn and then your passport and plan your very own Nicole and Hugh inspired Australian adventure. The set is incredible – an untouched wilderness waiting to be explored right now.

An interactive map of the journey, experiences and suggested itineraries can be found on westernaustralia.com/australiaway.