Outback towns are centers for social gatherings, focal points where station hands, miners, road and railway workers, and travelers come for fun, social life, and supplies. Writer Jocelyn Burt says, "[Outback towns like] Alice Springs [are] more than just [towns] in an ordinary sense. For [people living in remote parts of the Outback] they are... centres of civilisation in a wide, harsh land,... they are an oasis of friends and events."

Hosting seasonal Outback events defines the rhythm of life in the towns. From May to September, the cooler winter months, Outback towns spring to life with unique and colorful festivities that reflect the humor and ingenuity of the people who live there, and define the character of the towns. Thousands of visitors are drawn every year to these festivities, and for many towns, tourism is the key to their survival.

Outback Towns

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