Tanami Desert, Northern Territory

The Tanami Desert, one of the most isolated and arid areas on earth, wasn’t truly explored until well into the twentieth century. The Tanami Track connects Alice Springs to the Kimberleys traversing this huge desert. Points of interest along the Tanami Track include Tilmouth Well Station, offering accommodation and fuel in a true outback setting and Birds Australia’s 2,600 square kilometre Newhaven Station Bird Sanctuary. Those planning to drive the Tanami Track should only do so in a reliable four wheel drive vehicle, take spare fuel and a good quantity of water. The road surface is usually quite good but, services on the Tanami are very limited with fuel available only at Tilmouth Well and Rabbit Flat (closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).