Cape Londonderry Cape Leveque RD RIVER GIBB RD DUNCAN HIGHWAY VICTORIA HWYSTUART HWY ARNHEM RD RIVER GIBB HWY KAKADU NORTHERN HIGHWAY GREAT Nat. Pk. Purnululu Nat. Pk. Litchfield Park National Kakadu Nat. Pk. Nitmiluk Gregory National Park El Questro Home Valley Gibb River Scale in Kilometres 050100 Katherine Jabiru Victoria River Willare Roadhouse Bridge Derby Roadhouse Mary River Imintji Store Roadhouse BROOME DARWIN Bark Hut Inn Noonamah Adelaide River Roadhouse Hayes Creek Daly River Roadhouse Emerald Springs Pine Creek Creek Timber Crossing FitzroyHalls Creek ( Turkey Creek) Warmun Kununurra Kalumburu Wyndham Mt. Barnett Beagle Bay Bathurst Island Melville Island NORTHERN TERRITORY WESTERN AUSTRALIA NORTHERN TERRITORY WESTERN AUSTRALIA INDIAN OCEAN SEA TIMOR SOUND KING Argyle Lake © Copyright RACWA 2008 The ' Australia Way' Unsealed Roads The ' Australia Way' Unsealed Roads Sealed Roads LEGEND Airports The Australia Way The Australia Way is a classic journey through the heart of outback Australia, putting you in the set and among the scenery of Baz Luhurman's epic movie Australia. The 1,165- mile journey from Darwin to Broome ( or vice- versa) combines dramatic landscapes and a colourful cast of outback characters with abundant wartime heritage, opportunities for nature and wildlife experiences and indigenous culture. Perth Broome Darwin Alice Springs Y ou've seen, or are probably about to see, the movie — now put yourself in it by journeying through the dramatic landscape that inspired Baz Luhrmann to create the Australiastory. Knocking spots of some of the world's well- worn classic drives, this thrilling new journey through the heart of the Australian outback lets visitors live for themselves the dramatic scenescapes that are set to enthral film audiences the world over. As it winds its way from the vibrant and tropical harbour city of Darwin in the Northern Territory to the exotic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia, the 1,165- mile Australia Way maps the route taken by the English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley ( Nicole Kidman), and cattle drover ( Hugh Jackman), as they drive 1,500 head of cattle across northern Australia through red escarpments, lush green waterholes and wide open spaces of Australia's northwest. Home to some of Australia's most spectacular and untamed countryside, and journeying through a landscape filled with pioneer history, the drive takes in some of the country's most unique natural wonders, including World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge, as well as the Kimberley's Lake Argyle and the mighty Bungle Bungle Range. This is iconic, big- country Australia in all its red, raw, glory. But there's more to this epic journey than ogling dramatic landscapes from a car. The Australia Way offers travellers the ' real' Australia in spades, capturing its spirit via a colourful cast of true- blue Aussie characters and offering plenty of scope for exploring its wartime heritage and rich, indigenous culture. Whether it's exploring laid- back country Pack your swag, throw on your Akubra hat and unleash your sense of adventure on the Australia Way. Tracing the epic journey made by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in the film Australia, this brand- new drive aims to recapture Australia's pioneering spirit australia

www. travelmood. comWINTER 2008/ 0915 " G'day – and welcome to our place" Sixteen years ago Austrian- born Franz Ranacher answered an advertisement in the NT News. ' Wanted: two men, must be fit for station work'. He and a fellow backpacker set off from Darwin for Bullo station, located 497 miles southwest of the tropical capital. " It took us three hours to travel from the front gate to the homestead," said Franz. In 2001 he and wife Marlee took ownership of the half- million- acre property, made famous by Australian pioneer Sara Henderson's best- selling autobiography From Strength to Strength. Half a world away from his former home, Franz wouldn't want to be anywhere else. " I'm still finding ancient Aboriginal rock art sites – where else in the world could you do that?" Bullo River station owner and manager, Franz Ranacher towns, honing your jackaroo ( ranch hand) techniques on a cattle station or luxuriating in an outback spa – there's so much to see and do along the Way, you'll have trouble fitting it all in. The Australia Way Darwin to Kununurra via Kakadu National Park and Katherine Start in Darwin, the Northern territory's vibrant capital and Australia's frontline defence during WWII. Take a walking tour of the city before lunching at Stokes Hill Wharf, where the movie's pivotal scenes were shot, including the recreation of the Japanese air raid on Darwin. Visit the city's colourful markets and galleries, sample a smorgasbord of international cuisine and see a movie under the stars at the Deckchair Cinema, before heading out of the city to explore world- class nature destinations. These include Litchfield National Parkand the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, famous for its aboriginal rock art galleries, waterfalls, gorges, rainforests, water- lillied billabongs, wildlife- filled wetlands and vast grasslands. Further south, in Katherine, follow in the footsteps of Nicole or Hugh by spending a week on a cattle station at the Outback Jackeroo andJillaroo School. Just down the road at Nitmiluk National Park you can gaze up at the etched rock walls that stand sentry over the emerald green waters of the magical Katherine Gorge. Pushing west, head past Victoria River Roadhouse and take the Escarpment Walk – get there early to enjoy the morning sunshine bounce off the water. At Timber Creek board a cruise on the Victoria River to spot saltwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks. STAY: For a hands- on glimpse into outback life make a stop at Bullo River Station. Lend a hand with the cattle, hook a huge barramundi and re- live the day's adventures at the evening barbie. Kununurra to Purnululu National Park The rich, rugged Kimberley region was the setting for many of the film's pivotal scenes. Kununurra, which means ' big water' in the local Aboriginal language, is the gateway to Western Australia's East Kimberley– one of the world's last true wilderness areas. After a day's shooting in the Outback, cast and crew would hot- foot it to the Kununurra Hotel, a popular watering hole for locals and travellers. Tuck into local fare at the Zebra Rock Baror enjoy a sunset dinner at the Pump House, overlooking Lake Kununurra. Venture into red- earth country on a 4WD adventure, experience a cattle muster at stations the size of small European countries and give yourself the star treatment with a scenic flight over the magnificent CockburnRangesor the striped, beehive- like Bungle Bungleranges in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park. Explore the inland waterways by river cruiser or up the ante on a luxury liner on Lake Argyle, home to an impressive array of bird and animal life. STAY: Tucked away on Australia's northwest coast, and so remote you won't find it on any map, is the bush camp Faraway Bay. Check in to one of the six secluded cabins at this outstanding wilderness retreat and enjoy expansive views of the Timor Sea. Purnululu National Park to Broome Continuing through the Kimberley, explore the historical frontier towns that characterise the Australian outback along the Gibb River Road. Derby, the oldest town, is a springboard to the magnificent Buccaneer Archipelago, whose islands are accessible by a 30- minute light aircraft flight, or boat trip. The former pearling town ofBroomeis where the outback meets the sea – its rich ochre earth and blue skies stretch to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Watch the sun set at world- famous Cable Beach and dip into the local history, and maybe even your pocket, in the pursuit of pearls! In Broome you can do as little or as much as you like. Relax on the stunning white beach, or poolside at one of the town's stylish hotels, take a scenic flight over the Horizontal Waterfalls; spend a day with an Aboriginal family at Cape Leveque, exploring mission ruins and reef walking, and take in a movie at Broome's Sun Pictures – from a deck chair under the stars. STAY: Check- in to a villa with plunge pool at Broome's Cable Beach Club Resort and enjoy the services of your very own butler. You've earned it. A nine- day Gibb River Roadself- drive ( Broome- Darwin) costs from £ 1,026 per person including car hire, transfers and accommodation. A 11- day 4WD Kimberley Safarifrom Broome to Darwin with APT Connections costs from £ 919 per person including overnight bush camping and stays at Windjana Gorge and El Questrro. A six- day self- drive from Darwin via Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield National Parks costs from £ 370 per person including car hire and accommodation. Return flight to Broomeor Darwinfrom £ 915 with Qantas. BOOK IT NOW Images: of Tourism Northern Territory andTourism Western Australia