Australia

Going off Grid in Australia

Going off Grid in Australia

Are you in desperate need of some time away from screens, social media and emails? Then Australia might just be the answer. Heading to the other side of the world will give you the chance to be in a completely different time zone to everyone on the other end of those emails and calls, and, as if that isn't enough, we've put together our top recommendations for how to get as far off the grid as possible in Australia...

 

Bamurru Plains

Stay at the tented safari camp of Bamurru Plains, in the wetlands of the Mary River that surround Kakadu National Park, where you can spend your days spotting the fantastic array of birds and wildlife (around 236 species of bird can be found in the area) and exploring the plains by airboat. Sleep in partly-tented suites or enjoy a Treetop Sleep Out in the Hide, where you can fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and wake up to the chirping of the birds. The distinct lack of Wi-Fi or mobile phone reception here means you can't even be tempted to check those emails, and you can watch the wildlife instead of your screens for a change.

 

The Kimberley Region

Explore Western Australia's Kimberley Region either aboard the luxury boat True North, which allows you to explore some of the most remote places in the area, as the boat's small size means it can reach places most larger boats can't, making you feel truly remote. It also features an onboard helicopter, so you can jet off to a remote picnic or camping spot. Or choose to unwind at El Questro Homestead in the remote wilderness of the Kimberley region, where you can explore the million acres of land that surround the homestead, and head out on guided nature walks, boat trips and horse-riding excursions, exploring the region's deep gorges, mountains, thermal springs and waterfalls, while leaving your smartphone firmly shut away in your room.

 

Flinders Ranges

Get back to nature in the Flinders Ranges and head out on the Arkaba Walk, one of the so-called 'Great Walks of Australia'. The Arkaba Walk is a four-day, three-night private adventure through the southern outback, set against the backdrop of the Flinders Ranges and the 60,000-acre private Arkaba wildlife conservancy. It's hard not to truly appreciate the scale of this vast country during the hike. Sleep under the stars in the bush (with the benefit of a thick mattress, pillow and duvet) during the walk, and end with a stay at the luxurious Arkaba homestead, where there are no TVs, phones or even minibars, so the focus is entirely on the experience.

 

Cape Range National Park

Within Western Australia's Cape Range National Park, stay at Sal Salis safari camp, which is surreptitiously tucked away in the dunes. Sleep in wilderness tents just a few steps away from the beach, where you can enjoy the fantastic marine life of Ningaloo Reef. There is a strong environmental emphasis at Sal Salis, providing the perfect opportunity to get back to nature and away from technology, in a spot where the outback meets the reef. Almost 100% of the camp's power is generated by solar panels, and there is no internet connection or signal, so computers and mobile phones can't distract you from enjoying the surroundings.

 

Tasmania

As if Tasmania wasn't remote enough, while there you can take part in the Wukalina Walk, a three-night, four-day Aboriginal owned and operated guided walk, which gives you the chance to learn about Tasmanian Aboriginal (palawa) culture. As well as immersing yourself in the beauty of the Bay of Fires landscape, this is a largely cultural experience, where you can take part in cultural practices that have been passed down for hundreds of years. The palawa people are the only group of humans to evolve in isolation for over 10,000 years, so for someone looking to head off the grid, it doesn't get much more appropriate.

 

The Red Centre

As 85% of the Australian population live within 30 miles of the coast, there's a lot of land in the middle of the country with next to no people in it, so what better way to go off the grid than to head deep into the Red Centre of Australia? We can arrange tours to explore the outback that are far away from Wi-Fi and phone signal, such as one of the highly sought after Aboriginal tours with Sab Lord. Sab has 25 years' worth of knowledge of Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land in Northern Australia, so knows the area's cultural heritage, biodiversity and wildlife like the back of his hand. Here you can escape the crowds with the help of Sab's local knowledge and personal links to the local Aboriginal people.