What is the difference between the bush and outback?

There’s no hard and fast rule for the difference between bush and outback in Australia. But for a rough rule of thumb, the bush in Australia means green, and the outback means red or brown.

Detailed answer: Two terms Australians love to the point of giddy romanticism are “the bush” and “the outback”. Both play a big part in Australia’s self-mythology. Despite the vast majority of the population living in coastal cities, self-image usually reverts to men on horseback in the middle of nowhere.

In truth, the differences between bush and outback can be a little hazy. Areas such as the Mallee Country of north-western Victoria tend to offer a transition zone. But the best rule of thumb is that the bush is green, and the outback is brown or red. There’s a rough correlation between “bush” and “countryside”, although the bush tends to be wilder and far more sparsely populated than the English countryside. There are vast parts of green, tree-studded Australia that barely a soul has ever been to.

Ubirr in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory — The difference between bush and outback? Ubirr in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park is usually green, but would generally be regarded as part of the outback. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

What does outback mean in Australia?

Similarly, “outback” roughly matches to “desert”. But that’s not always the case. Big parts of northern Australia get way too much rainfall to be desert, but would usually be regarded as outback. The Kimberley in Western Australia, or Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks in the Northern Territory, for example. They’re full of dramatic gorges, rock formations and escarpments. They’re rugged walking territory, but they’re not deserts.

The dividing lines are not exactly clear either, but it’s usually where agriculture stops and vast sheep or cattle stations begin. The bush will usually have towns about an hour apart, and it can be hours between towns in the outback. For many outback drives, it can be ninety minutes to two hours between roadhouses – glorified petrol stations with rudimentary accommodation tagged on. The Northern Territory roadhouses are particularly eccentric.

The Murray River, which forms most of the border between New South Wales and Victoria, offers arguably the best visual representation. Go 50km south of the Murray, and you’ll almost certainly be in green bushland. Go 50km north, and it’s likely to be dry, scrubby and meandered around by the odd cow.

Top Australian bush hangouts

What is the best walk in the Barmah National Park?

What is the best walk in Katoomba, New South Wales?

Can I do a Proserpine River cruise on the Whitsunday Coast?

Outback adventures

Why are there underground houses in Coober Pedy?

Is it worth visiting Woomera, South Australia?

What can I see at the Head of Bight lookout?