How a City Girl Fell in Love with the Outback
From the Northern Beaches to Far West NSW
Ten years ago, if you’d told me I’d be living in Far West NSW and running outback tours, I would have laughed.
I was a Northern Beaches girl through and through. Ocean swims, coastal walks, city convenience. The closest I’d come to what people called the “real Australia” was a short escape to the Blue Mountains.
Then life took an unexpected turn — and I found myself moving west.
Way west.
The Moment Everything Changed
The first time I watched the sun set over the Barrier Ranges, something shifted.
The silence wasn’t empty — it was full.
The landscape wasn’t barren — it was alive with stories I’d never been told.
There was space to think. Space to breathe. Space to reconnect with something deeper and older than deadlines and schedules. That moment marked the beginning of everything that followed.
Seeing the Outback Through Two Sets of Eyes
Jonathan, my partner in life and business, grew up here. Born and bred in Broken Hill. To him, these landscapes were familiar — part of everyday life.
He watched me discover places he’d known his whole life, and in turn, I saw them anew through his stories. We realised something important: this contrast was powerful.
Travellers don’t just need guides who know the roads.
They need someone who remembers what it feels like to experience the outback for the very first time — paired with someone who knows every back track, season shift, and hidden story.
Why We Created Overland Adventures
That realisation became the foundation of Overland Adventures.
Our outback tours are built on:
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Small group experiences
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Deep local knowledge
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Genuine connection to country
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Comfort without losing authenticity
We don’t rush. We don’t crowd. We don’t stage experiences. We share the outback the way it’s meant to be experienced — slowly, respectfully, and with meaning.
Falling in Love with the Australian Outback
The Australian outback has a way of changing people.
Guests arrive curious.
They leave grounded, inspired, and often a little bit in love.
It’s not just the vast landscapes of Far West NSW or the dramatic colours at sunset. It’s the stories, the people, the quiet moments, and the sense of perspective that comes from standing somewhere that’s been here long before us — and will remain long after.
Is the Outback Calling You?
If you’ve ever felt the pull of wide open spaces…
If you’ve wondered what lies beyond the highway…
If the outback is still on your list — or quietly calling your name — you’re not alone.
What’s your connection to the outback?
Have you been, or is it still waiting for you?
Cheers,
Janine
P.S. If you’re curious about what we do out here, explore our website for beautiful photography and outback experiences that capture the magic far better than words ever could.