Explore
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Get out and enjoy this great land and support local communities.
There’s plenty going on all around Australia, and Ron Moon has his finger on the pulse regarding track changes and advice, station stays, recommended campsite stays, and much more. Read on for iconic events and unmissable outback destinations to jot down in your itinerary!
Explore Australia
Copper Coast Cornish Festival (SA)
The towns of Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo, will be a buzz with excitement, celebrating the Kernewek Lowender Copper Coast Cornish Festival between May 12 and 18. With over 60 events, the program allows you to experience unique Cornish heritage and traditions.
Enjoy a Cornish pasty, a locally brewed Swanky, food, entertainment, art, concerts, dancing and people of all ages dressing in traditional Cornish costumes. There’s a cavalcade of cars and motor cycles and a street party while you’ll be spoilt for choice as you fill your days with truly unique experiences.
Ord Valley Muster (WA)
This great event will run from 16-25 May and will include a heap of attractions including the Kimberley Moon Experience, featuring some great artists from all over Australia. There’s Art in the Park, along with bush tucker and more. Check out ordvalleymuster.com.au for the latest information and to book – it sells out, so get in quick.
Bourke Show (NSW)
The Bourke Pastoral and Agricultural Association welcomes everyone to come and participate in a great community event to be held this year on Saturday May 17.
The upcoming event will include a wide range of activities from a dog and pet show, to an animal nursery and a whip-cracking competition. In addition, there will also be a fashion parade, a bull sale, an historic car competition and display, food stalls, a sideshow alley, rides, a mechanical bull, live music and fireworks. It promises to be a fun-filled and diverse event with something for everyone.
Turning on the Fagus (Tas)
In late April and May, Tasmania’s only winter-deciduous native tree turns on its autumn show, triggering a pilgrimage to see entire hillsides ablaze in shades of rust, orange and gold.
The fagus hasn’t quite achieved the renown of other endemic Tasmanian plants, such as the Huon pine, yet this prehistoric survivor of the Gondwana era is remarkable. It’s one of only a handful of native deciduous species in Australia. The unique Tasmanian fagus thrives in cool, wet locations, typically above 800m, and in autumn its crinkle-cut leaves change colour as it announces itself in flamboyant style. Check it out if you are down in Tassie.
Closure of Piccanninie Ponds (SA)
Piccanninie Ponds remains closed for water activities until further notice to allow for the regeneration of aquatic vegetation and fauna species following an outbreak of filamentous algae. The Conservation Park remains open to the public, however entry into the water for diving and snorkeling is not permitted and permits are not being issued.
Closure of Aroona Dam Sanctuary (SA)
Aroona Dam Sanctuary, just outside Leigh Creek, will be closed intermittently during June, August and November 2025 for a pest-control program. These dates include from 6pm on 12 June until 6am on 17 June, and again between 28 August until 2 September, and from 27 November until 2 December 2025.
Nelia Gaari Station (NSW)
Situated on the west side of the Darling River between Menindee and Wilcannia, Nelia Gaari Station is a sheep grazing property that offers a unique and welcoming spot to park your caravan, campervan or 4×4 vehicle for short or extended stays. Go boating, fishing, yabbying or exploring, play a round of golf, or just kick back around the campfire. Your hosts Lily and Greg invite you to share their beautiful stretch of the Darling River.
Lucky Bay (WA)
Located 30 minutes south of Kalbarri township, this beachfront nature-based camping area is an ideal off-the-beaten-track getaway. Accessible only by 4×4, campers spend their days by the beach, swimming, fishing and four-wheel driving or just relaxing.
The camping area is nestled amongst the sand dunes and is suitable for tents and camper trailers. Facilities include bush toilets, a chemical toilet dump point and rubbish bins. Lucky Bay is also a dog-friendly campground, however dogs must be kept on leash at all times. Please note that fresh water is not available at Lucky Bay, so campers must be self-sufficient.
Also note that bookings are not available for Lucky Bay; campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For further information, call the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions on (08) 9937 1140. Fees are $15/night/vehicle.
Wirraminna Station (SA)
If you are heading along the Stuart Highway on your travels this year and are looking for a place to stop for the night then this may be a good one for you. Wirraminna Station is located 2km off of the Stuart Highway between Pimba and Glendambo.
The station offers 10 large drive-through caravan sites and there is plenty of room for pets, and loads of space for kids to ride their bikes. There is 5G Telstra phone service but no Optus. Call 0488 068 956 or email [email protected] for more information and to make a booking.
Banka Banka Station stay (NT)
Set on the Barkly Tablelands, north of Tennant Creek and just off the Stuart Highway, this sprawling 140,000ha working cattle station is rich in natural and cultural attractions. The property offers multiple types of accommodation ranging from camping, powered sites and king, single and double cabins.
The traditional owners continue to use and enjoy Banka Banka and play an active role in the management of the property to ensure you have a cultural experience. Spend some time learning about the traditional use of their country and take a walk to important cultural sites such as Kajanpurra Waterhole and Punkkurr Punkkurra Spring.
John Williamson at Big Red (QLD)
The Big Red Bash won’t be thumping the desert this year but John Williamson will be playing a one-off event on Tuesday 8 July.
The one-night-only concert featuring the legendary John Williamson atop Big Red, is being held exactly 12 years since John played there in 2013. Just 1000 tickets will be up for grabs for this event. Ticket pricing and on-sale date will be announced very soon. A Vehicle Pass will be required for each vehicle. Camping on private land is also possible.
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The Stockmans Camp (VIC)
This excellent camp situated on a property 10 minutes south of Buchan in the far east of Victoria is a top spot to stay a while, or to start or finish a trip through the Victorian High Country or up through the Snowy River region of the state. There’s a large area for camping while a few boutique cabins can be booked for those looking for some luxury. Phone 0492 854 326 or visit www.thestockmanscamp.au for more information or to make a booking.
The Brunette Races (NT)
There’ll be Territory bush racing at its finest when the Brunette Races are run between 19 and 22 June this year. This iconic event is a highlight of the outback social calendar and consists of horse racing, an exciting rodeo, a campdraft, a kids gymkhana and lots more. The races are held at the A.B.C. Amateur Race Club racetrack, located on Brunette Downs Station, which is situated on the Barkly Tablelands.
Zipping through the Karri trees (WA)
A short drive from Pemberton in WA’s south west is the famous Gloucester Tree. While its hair-raising climb has been closed for a few years now (will it ever reopen?) there are a few other attractions that make the area worth a visit. The highlight for many are the tree rope courses, aerial challenges and the 750m long zipline amongst the giant trees. These are all run by Aerial Adventure that is based in Pemberton.
A bridge across the Mitchell River (QLD)
The wide bed of the Mitchell River north of Dunbar station in the Gulf Country of Queensland is now seeing a bridge stretch across the wide sands. This will make it easier for people to travel from near Dunbar Station on the Burke Developmental Road to Musgrave on the main road north to Weipa.
However, we’re not too sure how many will be able to access it in the wet season when dozens of other rivers flood and prevent access to this part of the country. At this stage we don’t know when the bridge across the lower Mitchell will be finished or its cost.
Rockview Farm (QLD)
Situated just off the Burnett Highway between Goomeri and Ban Ban Springs, the Boonara Creek is the perfect spot to pull up and unwind for a day or two to enjoy the beauty of nature. Enjoy the creek view by day and then watch the sun set to a sky full of stars by night. Campfires and pets are allowed. For more go to Hipcamp and search ‘Rockview Farm’.
Omeo Holiday Park (VIC)
Set beside the picturesque Livingstone Creek, the local Omeo Holiday Park is a short stroll to Omeo’s historic town centre. Omeo is in the heart of the High Country and only 35km, or about a 40-minute drive, to Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham. There’s a heap of 4×4 tracks in the local area as well as historic sites well worth visiting.
Spinifex Ridge Camping (NT)
Here’s a safe and pleasant spot to camp just five minutes’ drive west of Tennant Creek. There’s always plenty of space here so there is no need to book ahead. You can find directions to Spinifex Ridge on Google Maps or WikiCamps, or you can contact directly by phoning 0428 418 571 or emailing [email protected].
Sand driving at Stockton (NSW)
Stockton Beach and dunes within the Worimi Conservation Lands (WCL) remains one of the most popular beach areas you can drive in NSW. The area provides 4×4 access to more than 19km of Stockton beach front and more than 350ha of dune driving in the Recreational Vehicle Area at the southern end of the park.
All vehicles must be registered and display a valid WCL beach vehicle permit. This includes recreational vehicles such as quads and motorcycles, which must hold RMS conditional registration for the recreational vehicle area.
Track access change: Robe (SA)
There have been significant changes to beach and track access south of Robe, especially around Little Dip CP, Nora Creina and Beachport. Some of the tracks that have been accessible in the past were through private property, and now ongoing issues with rubbish and people doing the wrong thing have resulted in the closure of those tracks.
