Birdsville and Strezlecki Outback Loop

Iconic Birdsville lies on the Diamantina River in the heart of Queensland's Cha el Country. Once an important stop on the stock route into South Australia, today Birdsville is an outback hub and a thriving community of around 110 people employed in regional tourism, hospitality and service the area's still-dominant cattle industry. Birdsville 'must-dos' include an icy-cold drink in its famous historic pub, a camel pie from its fabulous bakery, and a refreshing dip in the town's unique billabong. Be sure to check out the rest of the area's attractions and landmarks including the 45-metre high Big Red sand dunes, and the rare copse of Waddi trees. Take the Birdsville Track to Marree, South Australia.

Marree lies at the junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks and is the gateway to Kati - Thanda Lake Eyre basin. Once a thriving outback centre for transport and communications, Marree was a town where the Arabu a Aboriginal people, Europeans and Afghani cameleers lived side-by-side from the time of the town's establishment. Today, remnants of these three cultures live on in the Arabu a Aboriginal Community Centre and the Marree Mosque. Meanwhile, the Tom Kruse Collection in a specially created room of the Marree Hotel, houses a tribute to the legendary outback mailman who worked the mail run between Marree and Birdsville. Detour to Parachilna and Arkaroola.

I amincka is a tiny outpost on the Strzelecki Track adjacent to the magnificent Cooper Creek within the I amincka Regional Reserve. The township consists of its authentic outback pub, trading post, airstrips, homestay and the Natural Resources SA headquarters. The area has a strong co ection to the tragic story of 19th-century explorers Burke and Wills, whose graves, and the famous Dig Tree, await discovery not far away. The pub is the social hub of I amincka and features a motel, 18-hole mini golf, Starlight cinema, and its acclaimed 'Outamincka' bar - a modern oasis where campers, visitors and locals alike can dine in air-conditioned comfort. Australia's largest billabong, the stunning Cullyamurra Waterhole, is just 16 kilometres away and is alive with wildlife and birdlife. Detour at Coongie Lakes. Malkumba - Coongie Lakes National Park is a freshwater world of lakes, cha els, billabongs, shallow floodplains, deltas, and interdune swamps. It lies on the floodplain of Cooper Creek located about 110 kilometres west of I amincka in the I amincka Regional Reserve. You'll need a Desert Pass and a four wheel drive to get there, but once you've set up camp, you'll be richly rewarded with some of the most stunning wilderness and an endless parade of birdlife. A few days camping in this stunning location is well worth the effort, but remember to book your site and pay camping fees.