Five Best Outback Spots To Tie The Knot

Civil Marriage Celebrant Anita Revel has tied knots in some fantastically remote places in her time. Here she explores some of the most memorable spots in which she and her colleagues have borne witness to those magical words: I do.

1. Diamonds Are Forever

Pentecost River, East Kimberley, WA

It was on the banks of the mighty Pentecost that Hugh and Nicole first smooched in Australia the movie. The river runs right through the Home Valley Station, an onsite training academy for Indigenous men and women from the East Kimberley, an area famous for sparkling pink Argyle diamonds and ochre and violet skies at twilight.

“I have officiated many ceremonies with a didgeridoo being the only beautiful music bouncing off 350-million-year-old cliffs."

With the river crossing open for just a few months each year, the region is accessible by 4WD only in the dry season (April-Oct). Just because Home Valley is remote, however, doesn’t mean it’s rudimentary. You’ll be won over as you cruise down the driveway between the giant boabs, emerging into an oasis of green lawns, stylish buildings and modern eco-campsites. Their Grass Castles – stylish, self-contained cabins – make perfect honeymoon suites.

Your wedding cars (provided by Home Valley) are gleaming 4WDs with huge tyres. Your ceremony will likely be witnessed (and applauded) by campers enjoying the sunset lighting up the Cockburn Ranges. But that’s all part of the magic.

As you toast your future happiness, gaze up at the stars sparkling from horizon to horizon and be reminded that diamonds are forever. So too will your memories be of this dazzling region.

2. By Air, Land and River

Katherine Gorge, NT

At Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), brides can arrive at the top of the first gorge by helicopter and return to the launching area via water. The mere groom (and the rest of the wedding party) travels by boat 30mins up the Katherine River into the first of 13 gorges. Apart from the occasional “Wow!" not much is said on the way in. All eyes are on the sheer 60m walls that will later act as the perfect acoustic arena for the wedding service at the base of the cliffs.

“I have officiated many ceremonies with a didgeridoo being the only beautiful music bouncing off 350-million-year-old cliffs," says NT celebrant Nola Sweetman. “They also come in handy for the certificates – no table needed, I always find a rock ledge for the signings."

The earthy, gold and bronze tones of the gorge also make for stunning photos and ambience. Nothing is more memorable, however, than the bride assuming her position as figurehead on the boat ride home; the water is like a silver ribbon threading its way through the red-tinged cliffs, forming a perfect backdrop for wedding photos at the front of the boat.

3. Stand in an Albert Namatjira Painting

Bamurru Plains, Mary River, NT

With more than 230 species of birds that call this catchment area home, and a plethora of wildlife roaming the savannah woodlands at twilight, it’s a good idea to fly in to Bamurru Plains during daylight hours.

The nine safari suites of Bamurru Plains luxury bush camp are on a working buffalo station on the floodplains of the Mary River region halfway between Darwin and Kakadu’s hub, Jabiru. The station’s western boundary, the Sampan River, harbours one of the world’s largest crocodile populations, as well as an abundance of Barramundi and Jewfish to keep any fishing addict happy.

Bilawara Lee, a celebrant and Elder of the Larrakia Nation of Darwin, performs wedding ceremonies on the deck of the camp’s main building, as well as a Smoking Ceremony and a Blessing of the Ancestors. Upon request she also brings her brother along to play didgeridoo for the bridal march.

Most couples marry late in the day, mainly to escape the heat, but also to look across the floodplains, the silhouettes of the spiky pandanus trees, the rich and contrasting colours, the roaming wildlife, all infused with the golden light unique to an outback twilight, and feel what it is to stand inside an Albert Namatjira painting.

4. Where Art Galleries Outnumber Pubs

The Living Desert, Broken Hill, NSW

For a touch of celebrity, head to Silverton 10km west of Broken Hill. The pub and church are two historic buildings featured in close to 100 films, including Mad Max and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

The town adjoins the Living Desert Reserve and epitomises the picture-perfect nature of the Aussie outback. Here you’ll find the Sculpture Symposium, a series of 12 sandstone sculptures created in 1993 that have been a drawcard for art aficionados ever since.

“Another stunning location is the Mundi Mundi Lookout overlooking the Mundi Mundi Plains all the way to Burke," says Diane Cotterill, a Broken Hill celebrant. “The vista is so huge you can see that the Earth really is round."

Diane also recommends the art galleries that outnumber the pubs and feature artists like Pro Hart and Jack Absalom. “Some couples have married in front of The Big Picture, the world’s largest acrylic painting on canvas by a single artist," she says. “It wraps around the walls of a disused go-cart track, across the ceiling and onto the floors – it’s so big the Silver City Mint built a viewing platform to take it all in."

5. Give Her the Biggest Rock Of All

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT

Early one Valentine’s Day, Voyages Ayers Rock Resort staff laid 80 white sheets on the Community Oval to form the words, “Will you marry me?" for one of their guests. Just like this region, Australia’s Red Centre, the ensuing aerial marriage proposal was supremely romantic.

Although restrictions imposed by the National Parks Service mean the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is not available for use as a wedding location, there’s a variety of lookouts within the adjoining Yulara township that give magnificent views of The Rock and The Olgas. Bruce McRae, a celebrant for central Australia, says one such location is the Uluru Lookout. “It’s readily accessible but a bit of a climb," he says. “I recommend brides wear their runners."

For couples looking for something more unique, the Fire Trail Lookout offers particularly beautiful views of Uluru as it morphs through its famous colour changes at sunrise and sunset.

Couples wanting an intense, spiritual experience in the Red Centre may opt for a full silver service al fresco dining experience at this lookout, complete with a resident stargazer to provide descriptions of the various constellations creating the natural canopy overhead.

The Details

1. East Kimberley celebrant Anita Revel, 0417 937 436, yesidoweddings@gmail.com

2. Nitmiluk celebrant Nola Sweetman, (08) 8972 1926, nola.sweetman@bigpond.com

3. Bamurru Plains celebrant Bilawara Lee, Larrakia Elder, (08) 8922 8235, bilawara@gmail.com

4. Uluru celebrant Bruce McRae, 0419 816 597, bamcrae@bigpond.net.au

5. Broken Hill celebrant Diane Cotterill, 0418 851 076, divadi@netspace.net.au

6. Outback wedding photographer Joyce van Dijk, ID Photography, (08) 8952 1592, www.idphotography.com.au

From the Kimberley to Cape York, explore Australia’s epic and varied landscapes on curated and all-inclusive, intimate adventures via custom-built all-terrain coaches with Outback Spirit.

From the tip of the Northern Territory to the rugged coast of the country’s southernmost point, Australia is a continent ripe with diverse and distinct adventures that are captivating and inspiring in equal measure. Luckily, so many of them are accessible by car with epic road trips that showcase the journey as much as the destination. With Outback Spirit, the award-winning and eco-certified tour operator from leading experiential tourism group Journey Beyond, the road less travelled – accessible in custom-built all-terrain coaches chaperoned by expert local guides – is the only way to go.

From the dramatic jewels of the Kimberley in Western Australia to the remote stretches of Savannah Way in the country’s far north, Outback Spirit does all the hard work on all-inclusive, small-group tours that pause at an exclusive network of lodges and safari camps – so you can just enjoy the ride.

1. The Kimberley

With an otherworldly ambience that must be experienced to be understood, the Kimberley is a cornucopia of breathtaking cliffs, stunning gorges and exceptional waterways. A highlight of the 13-day Jewels of the Kimberley adventure is the spectacular 18-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles. You’ll encounter a bounty of new perspectives elsewhere, too, between the astounding cruise through the Attenborough-approved Buccaneer Archipelago, humbling walks beneath ancient rock drawings, and evenings spent in the comfort of Outback Spirit’s exclusive-use, well-appointed Ngauwudu Safari Camp Safari Suites.

Relax in Ngauwudu Safari Camp Safari Suites.

2. Arnhem Land

The Traditional Lands of the Yolngu People reach into your heart and stay there. Outback Spirit’s 13-day Arnhem Land Wetlands & Wildlife tour was conceived in extensive consultation with Traditional Owners to guarantee a true immersion in Country. Explore the world’s largest outdoor rock art gallery; try your luck catching a metre-long barramundi; and discover pristine ecosystems from freshwater swamps to rocky escarpments. Relax each night in comfortable lodges exclusive to Outback Spirit, including the iconic Seven Spirit Bay Resort. Here, sophisticated luxury villas are perched on the bay’s edge overlooking clear, turquoise waters of Coral Bay.

Seven Spirit Bay in arnhem land — Enjoy the views at Seven Spirit Bay Resort.

3. Cape York

Travelling from Cairns to Cape York and back over 13 days, the small-group Cape York Wilderness Adventure tour runs from May to September, with unparalleled access to stunning sacred destinations and vibrant experiences on Thursday, Horn and Friday islands in the Torres Strait. The World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is a star of the expedition, with the exclusive guided Dreamtime Gorge Walk with a Kuku Yulanji elder taking place beneath lush ferns, with the commanding rumble of Mossman Gorge in the distance.

tour guide at Mossman Gorge — Join the Dreamtime Gorge Walk. (Image: TEQ)

4. Margaret River

The nine-day Margaret River & Rottnest Discovery highlights fine wine, great food, art, music and local produce at Leeuwin Estate on the vineyard-packed banks of the Margaret River, pausing to explore the ancient underground caves and towering Karri timber forests. Start the journey with a ride on the iconic Indian Pacific and pop to Rottnest Island on the tail-end of the trip, with 10,000 quokkas to befriend and 63 gorgeous beaches to explore before lunch. With bubbles included, of course.

food and wine at Leeuwin Estate — Treat your tastebuds at Leeuwin Estate. (Image: Tourism WA)

5. Savannah Way

On this 15-day Leichhardt’s Savannah Expedition , Outback Spirit’s custom all-terrain Mercedes-Benz coaches cross two states from Cairns to Darwin. After visiting the most northerly camp of the Burke and Wills Expedition of 1860/61 and visiting the see-it-to-believe-it Millaa Millaa Falls (refreshing swim optional!), you’ll indulge in three nights at the million-acre Lorella Springs Station, a sunset dinner cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria and a dip in warmed thermal pools in the middle of the wilderness.

aerial of Millaa Millaa Falls — Dive into Millaa Millaa Falls. (Image: TEQ)

6. Central Australia

The captivating splendour of Uluru is the central focus of the eight-day Red Centre Explorer tour, which includes Alice Springs and Kings Canyon among its stops. Hosted on the sacred lands of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Anangu, this itinerary is grounded in the landscape, with visits to the critically acclaimed Field of Light installation, a multi-course dinner under the stars at Ayers Rock Resort, and a didgeridoo performance to accompany bush-tucker-packed snacks all within the shadow of the sacred geological site. Awaken early for a sunrise over the pindan plateau, the image of which will remain in your memory for a lifetime to come.

two people in front of the field of light — Marvel at the Field of Light installation (Image: Tourism NT/ Lola and Jira/ Uluru Kata-Tjuta NP)

7. Flinders Ranges

The remote South Australian landscape is your playground on the 11-day Outback South Australia tour, which takes in the sights (including Wilpena Pound and beloved Lake Eyre), sounds and flavours of the ‘festival’ state. At Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, cosmos chasers will enjoy a tour of the stars at the accredited onsite astronomical observatory as endangered yellow-footed rock wallabies bounce in the dark. The next day, guests will take to open-air 4WDs with expert guides for the Ridgetop Tour to explore the breathtaking, unique 1600-million-year-old landscape within the Flinders Ranges.

mist around Wilpena Pound in flinders ranges — See the impressive Wilpena Pound. (Image: Emile Ristevski)

8. Tasmania

Take in stunning views from Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (or, afterwards, from the comfort of Cradle Mountain Lodge) on the 12-day curated Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer itinerary. Taste the incredible food on Bruny Island and wander Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. Traverse the glacial-formed Dove Lake on a 5.7-kilometre hike; soak up sombre history at Port Arthur; and pose with penguins in Penguin before settling in for the night at Outback Spirit’s suite of exclusive partner lodges.

Wineglass Bay in tasmania — See the spectacular Wineglass Bay. (Image: Chad Dewson)

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