Set the controls for ‘safari’ as you wind through the rolling savannah of the Great Western Plains toward Dubbo, gateway to the sun-kissed west. Settled in 1829 as a grazing plot and roadside inn, today this thriving regional hub offers substantially more - from the legendary Taronga Western Plains Zoo to Indigenous sites and local vineyards.

Home to over 4,000 animals, including giraffes, rhinos, elephants and big cats, the open African-style Taronga Western Plains Zoo includes a driving and bike riding circuit and many tours. Unpack an extra day by relaxing at the Zoofari Lodge.

Deepen your knowledge on an Indigenous First Lesson tour, and walk with an elder past the Scarred Canoe Tree and Axe Grinding site. The Macquarie River Trail is alive with birdsong and riverside attractions, and Old Dubbo Gaol holds spellbinding history in sandstone walls. Set a leisurely pace at Lazy River Estate, where a luxury villa overlooks the river.

Watch the land unfold as you turn the wheel onto the Mitchell Highway towards the historic agricultural town of Nyngan, on the eastern edge of the NSW Outback. A place that has historic indigenous importance for its streams and river bounty, Nyngan has also accrued drive-stopping attractions.

Sneak a peek in the historic Railway Station, and you’ll find a museum packed with family histories and relics, thanks to passionate locals dedicated to preserving their stories. You’ll find excellent retrospectives on mining heritage and the 1990 floods – and keep an eye out for the doll collection.

For a great view of the spectacular Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve, climb the observation platform located along the Gibson’s Way near Terrigal Creek. The sight of birdlife thriving in a natural habitat of knitted grassland and river red gum is something to behold.

Welcome to the bright Aussie Outback. Famed for golden sunsets, gold and copper mines, and brilliant slices of ancient rock strata, Cobar is a must-see with history that stretches beyond the 19th century smelt stack foundations to ancient indigenous heritage.

Grab a map from the Information Centre and time-walk the Heritage Trail. You’ll pass what was one of the largest mining operations in the world - the Great Cobar Copper Mining Co of 1870. Take the road up to Fort Bourke Lookout for a wonderful view of the landscape and the vast open cut mine. Eight kilometres south is the site of Peak Gold Mines.

Thousands of years before the Europeans arrived, the Ngiyampaa people lived and sheltered in the overhangs of today’s Mount Grenfell Historic Site. It’s a short walk to this special place, which has important Ngiyampaa rock art of ceremonial significance to traditional owners.

Once Australia’s third largest inland port, in 1880 you might have entered a bustling Wilcannia on a paddle-steamer – or bale-carrying camel - laden with Sydney-bound wool. While the town is now quieter, its storied history is not forgotten.

From the impressive colonial architecture to the inherited knowledge of generational locals, Wilcannia makes a fascinating stop. Admire the town’s historic buildings including the Athenaeum Library, a sandstone landmark once presided over by Charles Dickens’ son (yes, that Charles Dickens).

Take an extra day to enjoy the gentle eddies of nature from Warrawong on the Darling caravan park. From the comfort of a cabin, watch vibrant birdlife, while a glorious sunset touches the waters where barges once jostled. An hour’s drive north you can explore – or paddle a kayak – further afield in the sumptuous river haven of Paroo-Darling National Park, another rich meeting point for local birdlife.

Your last stop on this route delivers you to vibrant heart of the NSW Outback. The once hard-mining town of Broken Hill is now a heritage-listed treasure, with restaurants, cafes, museums and art galleries.

The three-storied Palace Hotel, famous for its starring role in the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, is a grand place to relax – don’t miss the outrageous Drag Bingo evenings. You’ll find more splashes of colour at the wild Pro Hart Gallery. For a time-hop, grab a milkshake at Bells Milk Bar and Museum, and the stylish Silly Goat Cafe does great meals.

Take stock of your surrounds on the famous Living Desert Sculpture Trail, where 12 sandstone sculptures overlook the dramatic landscape. Stargaze at a sky only the outback can deliver at Outback Astronomy – you can even go Stargaze Glamping. Silver City Tours will show you the region’s best-kept secrets.

With both sealed and dirt roads leading to all points, Broken Hill is your launching place for compass-wide adventure – from the classic ruggedness of Silverton, west of Broken Hill, to the ancient gorges of Mutawintji National Park further northeast.

The former silver mining town of Silverton could be a film set - and has been many times. Enjoy cold beer and warm company at the Silverton Hotel, before visiting the Mad Max Museum, a memorabilia packed tribute to the iconic movie that filmed here. Watch an incredible sunset from the nearby Mundi Mundi plains lookout or on a Scenic Sunset Tour with Silverton Outback Camels.

Two hours’ drive north, you’ll find the ancient formations and rockpools of breathtaking Mutawintji National Park. Home to the famous hand-stencil art of local Aboriginal communities at the Mutawintji Historic Site, take a guided tour and learn the mythology of this spectacular place.