Tour guide's number one thing you need on a holiday to the Australian outback
Dave Overton swapped his 9-5 job in the city to become a tour guide.
He currently leads the Australian Highlights Tour to Uluru in the Northern Territorythe Great Barrier Reef in Queensland , as well as Sydney and Melbourne for travel company, Trafalgar.
Speaking to 9Travel, he reveals why a trip to the outback must be on your list - and why you shouldn't wait until retirement to do it.
READ MORE: Why a visit to Australia's Northern Territory is like 'nothing else'
Tour guide Dave Overton swapped his regular job to work in and around Australia. Supplied
What initially drew you to working as a guide in the outback?
"Having come from a farming and hospitality background, I really wanted to get away from the busy city lifestyle and lose myself in the Australian outback.
When I started out as a tour manager with Trafalgar, I wasn't prepared for what I would find in the quiet vistas, rugged landscapes and seemingly endless night skies; the people I've met, and their tales of life have been so inspiring to me and changed the way I've viewed my world.
Why do you think Aussies tend to travel overseas instead of in our own backyard?
"We always think there will be more time to explore our own backyard, and so people underestimate how vast and challenging the land is here.
We wait until we are too old and frail to get out and enjoy all that our home has to offer, so a lot of it goes unexplored.
Dave said there's no point in waiting until you are older to explore outback Australia. Supplied
What's the main thing Aussies are missing out on by putting off travel to the outback?
"The vast beauty of it all, the ancient geology and multitude of outback tales, from the Aboriginal stories of creation to pioneering efforts of those that established the many cattle stations and townships that still exist today – it's all part of Australia's rich story.
We have a very beautiful country, and Aussies tend to go searching the world for what we have in our natural environment.
Where are your favourite under-the-radar spots across NT and the Kimberley?
"Judbarra / Gregory National Park is a real unknown. It's the Northern Territory's second largest National Park and yet very few people have even heard of it.
It has it all, gorges, gaps, Aboriginal arts and carvings, massive ranges, and the spectacular Victoria River with its abundance of wildlife.
Joe's Creek Walk in Gregory National Park. Getty Images/iStockphoto
"The Kimberley is also very special place. Time has simply stood still, from Lake Argyle to Wyndham and the unbelievable Five Rivers Lookout, you will surely feel like you are on top of the world up there.
Driving through its ancient geology and hearing about the creation of the region over a 1.6-billion-year timeline, makes one feel a little insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
There are so many unbelievable locations in the Kimberley, from El Questro to Home Valley Station and the Cockburn ranges.
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park in the NT. Getty Images/iStockphoto
What's one thing travellers should know before taking a trip to north-western Australia?
"Bring a sense of adventure and a good pair of hiking boots. On Trafalgar's Outback Explorer tour, you'd be surprised how many travellers don't bring the right shoes.
This part of Australia is best spent getting out in the thick of it, exploring and saying G'day to the locals that call this amazing part of the world home.
When travelling north-western Australian, there's simply so much that most people haven't seen (and might not see again), so we always try to encourage exploring as much of it as possible."
Explore more of the Northern Territory with 9Travel's David Whitehill.
