Everyone has a list of towns to avoid. We’ve got one too, except we went anyway. From Alice Springs to Port Augusta, these “tough” towns prove reputation isn’t always reality.

Artesian bore water feels silky because of natural minerals like silica and magnesium. A mild sulphur smell is normal too, especially in hot water. It’s all part of the Outback hot spring experience.

A quick stop in Coober Pedy revealed a town unlike anywhere else. Homes carved from rock, sunsets over the Breakaways, and a lesson in how far people will go to outsmart the desert.

What started as a pebble-eating mishap near Uluru turned into a race across the outback to save our girl, Zoe. With expert care and plenty of love, she’s now on the mend in Adelaide.

Parachilna is a small outback stop anchored by the Prairie Hotel. We pulled in for lunch, tried the feral mixed grill, wandered the old railway siding, and enjoyed a quiet pause beneath the wide Flinders skies.

For us, Leigh Creek was a fascinating and slightly eerie stop. It’s a town that tells a story of industry, change, and resilience—worth visiting for anyone wanting to see a different side of the outback.

Carrieton and nearby Johnburg are quiet country towns in South Australia with a strong sense of history. There’s not much happening, but that’s what makes them worth the stop.

Just outside Port Augusta, we pulled into Nutbush Retreat, a working sheep station offering a unique outback stay.

We stopped in tiny Wirrulla to check out the world’s only inland jetty — a dry-land surprise with a great sense of humour. It’s quirky, quick, and worth the detour. The tide? Never coming in.

Ceduna on South Australia’s far-west coast. Foreshore walks, the local museum, quiet days by the sea and a gateway for future Maralinga adventures.

Spear Creek gave us rugged trails, ancient rock formations and wide, empty skies on the edge of the Southern Flinders. Sunrise walks, quiet evenings and raw outback beauty made this remote station stay one to remember.

Port Augusta’s more than a pit stop. Between the gulf and the desert, we found Spear Creek sunsets, station stays, and outback landscapes that blend grit and beauty in equal measure.