A few weeks ago we came accross the William Creek Hotel and the North Star Hotel in South Australia. This time, on the Stuart Highway between Katherine and Tennant Creek, we spotted the Larrimah Hotel, in the tiny hamlet of the same name. As for the other two, you have to stop in this pub. You will have no problem to recognize it: the Pink Panther is sitting outside along the highway. The Larrimah Hotel is a hotel, a camping, a pub, a museum, a zoo... but also one of the many unusual places that give the Outback part of its charm. There are certainly dozens of them scattered around the country. Feel free to share your own discoveries with us!

Edith Falls (or Leliyn) are the second main attraction of Nitmiluk National Park along with the Katherine Gorge. These picturesque waterfalls flow into a massive plunge pool in which it is possible (and very pleasant) to swim. Be careful though because signs indicate the possible presence of freshwater crocodiles, considered less dangerous than saltwater crocodiles, in the late afternoon. This beautiful place is located on the west side of the Park, 40 kilometres north of Katherine on the Stuart Highway on the way to Darwin. Leliyn has a landscaped campground with unpowered sites.

In the north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, bushfires are common throughout the year. It is important to take precautions when staying in the area. These fires have killed in the past. If you are travelling or if you camp in a forest or the bush, fire is a potential hazard that should not be overlooked. Authorities make travellers guides available for visitors to understand the risks and to know how to react if a fire starts.

Australia is the country of travel par excellence. If you are a regular reader of iPhoneography Oz, you will have been able to grasp the diversity of this continent. Many, like us, choose to take their time to visit this country. If some choose to travel by plane, others (let's say the majority) travel by road. The accommodation can quickly become a big part of your budget, even when choosing to camp. Unless we are talking about free camping. But this does not mean camping anywhere. The police (in cities) or the rangers (in national parks) make sure you respect the rules and fines can be really expensive if you camp in prohibited areas. However, there are free camping areas available along the roads. You should think about getting a guide which tells you where they are. The main advantage is the cost: free. But at this price, the facilities are primitive. Often it only has picnic tables and garbage bins, toilets sometimes. But not always. Choosing this kind of travel is also going to make you an expert on knowing where the hot showers are! Forget the comforts of home or a luxury bed & breakfast. But after all, is this not the essence of a successful road trip that will be remembered for a lifetime?

Before crossing the Nullarbor Plain, you inevitably ask yourself the following questions:

• Will we have enough fuel?
• Will we have enough water?
• Will we have enough food?
• Is there any places to stay along the way?
• And what if we break down?

Just as we thought we had made it across unscathed, we were faced the last question. Explanations? More than 200 kilometers before reaching Norseman, the town at the western end of the plain, we got a flat. Never doing things by half, within minutes of putting the spare on... Bam... another flat. Luckily we were close to a roadhouse. What is this? They are your best friends when crossing the Nullarbor Plain, the magical answer to all the questions above. They are petrol stations which often offer catering services. So neither you or your vehicle will run out of fuel. Some of them provide accommodation to spend the night with comfort that varies from very poor to very good. However, as unlikely as it may seem, there is not necessarily a garage. If you break down and it is serious, often towing and repair costs are more expensive than abandoning your vehicle on the side of the road and buying a used one in Perth or Adelaide. If your problem is minor, you have access to, thanks to the previous category, one of the world's largest free auto parts self-service. And if you do not find what you are looking for, there is always the solution to get help from road trains which will drop at the roadhouse what you need and that you have previously purchased by phone in the "closest" town. This is what we have tested. Expect random delivery delays.

In the desert, at no surprise to anyone, it is a vastness of nothing. So, we are somewhere in South Australia in the middle of nowhere, far from Adelaide, on the famous Oodnadatta Track. All of the Outback is occupied by the void ... All? No! A small town of indomitable Australians maintain their mark within the nothingness. With a permanent population estimated at between three and ten people, William Creek is the smallest "city" of Australia. Ironically, it is located on Anna Creek Station, the world's biggest working cattle station: 23,777 sq km (larger than Israel!). If we are talking about William Creek it is because you must go there once in your lifetime to visit the William Creek Hotel. Dating from 1887, this bar, hotel, camping, restaurant, gas station, made ​​of timber and corrugated iron is a legend. Inside it is like a giant visitor's book decorated with business cards, words scrawled on bank notes, caps and other random pieces of memorabilia left by its visitors. The atmosphere is very warm. The restaurant serves hearty food of the Outback. Unique experience guaranteed!
William Creek has its own airport, departure point for scenic flights over Lake Eyre. To follow our trip in the desert, visit our facebook page where more photos await you.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of William Creek Hotel.

Staying amongst an Indigenous Australian community is something we have wanted to do since the beginning of our project. It became a reality in the Flinders Ranges at the Aboriginal community of Iga Warta. What an amazing experience it was! We were welcomed with open arms by the extremely friendly, warm and open hearted people of Iga Warta. It was as if we were part of the family. Gathered around the fire, we were treated to a special feast of kangaroo and emu which had been cooked using the traditional method handed down from their ancestors. Whether for a few hours or few days, we strongly recommend a visit to Iga Warta. This is a unique opportunity to understand more about Aboriginal culture and lifestyle. On site, various educational activities and accommodation options are available. Not to be missed!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Iga Warta.

Today we take you to the western Flinders Ranges, where the mountains meet the desert to live our first real Outback experience. We spent a few days at Beltana Station, a fully working sheep and cattle station located on a property of more than... 400,000 acres! If Beltana Station was a sovereign state, it would rank just after Mauritius in the list of countries and dependencies by area. We can tell you that it is huge and that you will never be disturbed by the neighbours! The place is rich in history with most of its stone buildings dating from the nineteenth century. The farm was also the starting point for various expeditions including one made ​​famous by Ernest Giles in 1875. It is also in Beltana that Thomas Elder imported some of the first camels to arrive in South Australia. Among the many activities offered on site today, it is still possible to participate in a safari of several days with these magnificent creatures. A 4WD tour is also a must. From the summit of Mount Deception, which does not deserve its name, the view over the plains is breathtaking. Beltana Station offers a variety of accommodation options to meet different travelers needs ranging from camping to private rooms in the Shearers' Quarters historical buildings to the Overseer's Cottage. Whether for a weekend or long holidays on the farm, Beltana Station is a destination that will immerse you in the heart of the Australian Outback and will allow you to reconnect with the deepest human values​​. For those looking to work in Australia, make sure to contact Laura and Graham. They might have something to offer. We fell in love!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Beltana Station.

The most famous place in the Flinders Ranges is probably Wilpena Pound. At the foot of this majestic natural amphitheater is Rawnsley Park Station which is a perfect base for exploring the region. Initially dedicated to sheep, this immense property of 12,000 hectares is now a multiple South Australian Tourism Awards award-wining resort. It offers various accommodation options, including camping opportunities. However we stayed in their signature luxury eco-villas. Designed to blend perfectly into the environment, these modern cottages are the ultimate in luxury accommodation in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. They offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the highlight experience is the presence of a retractable roof in the bedrooms where you can admire the stars before you drift off to sleep! On-site adventure opportunities, whether in 4WD (Arkapena Tracks Self Drive), bush walking or mountain biking, are numerous and will keep you busy for days. We love it!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Rawnsley Park Station.

Back on the mainland after traveling to Tasmania, we have visited a natural wonder. The Wilsons Promontory National Park is located three hours drive south east of Melbourne. This vast peninsula is the southernmost part of Australia. The "Prom", as locals call it (not to be confused with La Prom' in Nice), is one of Victoria's most-loved places. Granite cliffs, forests and white sandy beaches: the scenery is magnificent. Hiking is the main activity of the park. Tidal River is the only camping ground in the park. It is also where you can find a grocery store and a take-away restaurant. It does not matter if you spend just a day or a few of them, pay close attention to the wildlife as the Prom is home to many native animals. During our visit, we met several wombats, a first since the beginning of iPhoneography Oz project!

If you become tired of the pristine blue waters of Narooma, which is highly unlikely, take the boardwalk along the coast for five or six kilometres to the north and visit Dalmeny! The landscape is absolutely beautiful along the way. For camping enthusiasts, Dalmeny's campground at the end of the walk is ideally situated at the rivermouth and directly above the beach. Surfers will love it!

In what surroundings are you used to camping in? We are not big fans of camping but we have been tempted by the Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park. Thus we spent a week at their camping ground enjoying the incredible scenery. The holiday park is located at Lake Macquarie's waterfront, insulated enough from civilization to achieve the status of a holiday haven. But do not worry as supermarkets are nearby and Newcastle is less than an hour away. Unfortunately it rained a lot during our stay which made the few sunny mornings especially energizing. For more information, see the various accommodation types available on the holiday park's website.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park.