In the Outback!

Asko Meriläinen Project Matka
I specialise in independent, tailor-made tours to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. As a Finnish-born Australian citizen living Down Under for over 20 years, I combine tourism qualifications, extensive experience, and first-hand local expertise to offer flexible and personal service.Because I am based locally, I can provide you with the best insider tips and prompt assistance throughout your journey.

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Asko Meriläinen

Your travel planner, Entrepreneur

Often when people talk about the Australian Outback, the red centre comes to mind. But beyond that, the country offers many great destinations and experiences across the Australian outback.

I last visited the Queensland outback, Longreach, and Winton. It was a great experience and there is a lot to see and do. Traditionally, the outback is home to large cattle or sheep farms, which can be larger in size than many European countries. And so one of the most popular sites in Longreach is the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, which displays a wide range of settler history and how life in the dry outback was before and now. Life in the hot, dry desert heat has not always been easy.

But perhaps the best-known and most visited destination is the Qantas Founders Museum, which tells the story of the 100-year-old airline. It was here that the airline started its operations and is now known as one of the world’s largest airlines. The museum allows visitors to visit several different aircrafts, and you can even climb aboard a jumbo jet.

Qantas Founders Museum, Australia

To my surprise, we went on a river cruise that evening. Despite the dry inland surroundings, a river full of life flowed through it. Watching the sunset on the river was a truly memorable experience, and it was followed by a stunning view of the starry sky above the inland.

River in Australia

I had the opportunity to spend a night in a glamping tent and it was an amazing experience. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy the sounds of nature while being comfortable in my own bed with all the necessary amenities. The tent even had air conditioning in case I needed it.

Glamping, Australia

Our destination for the following day was Winton, but the journey there was the most fascinating part. In recent years, an increasing number of dinosaur bones have been uncovered in Australia, and we came across one of the sites on our way. We discovered the painstaking process of cleaning ancient bones and were amazed by the size of the huge dinosaurs that once roamed the earth. It was astounding to learn that new species are still being discovered in Australia that were previously unknown.

Winton, Australia

In the evening, we went for a picnic in the crevices of the area, which offered stunning views of the outback. The location is well-known for being the filming site of the movie “The Proposition”. Moreover, you have the option of staying overnight in safari tents that provide all the necessary amenities.

The small outback towns and cities of Australia have a unique atmosphere and history that distinguishes them from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. When you visit Outback, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. There’s no rush here, and you’ll have plenty of time to stop, even if it’s just for a moment.

Small town, Australia

We organise trips to both destinations, please ask more.

A trip to Queensland’s Outback can be conveniently combined with a visit to Brisbane first. From there, you can travel directly to either Magnetic Island or north to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. This way, you can experience both the beauty of the Outback and the lushness of the tropics. The best time to visit is during the cooler months of April to October. If you’re interested in adding an inland visit to your itinerary, please feel free to ask us for more details.

Author: Asko Meriläinen, Project Matka
Photos: Project Matka

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Asko Meriläinen Project Matka

Ready to plan your dream journey to Oceania?

I am a qualified travel professional from Finland, living in Australia for over 20 years. Because I am based locally in the destination, I will tailor-make your itinerary with the best insider tips and provide reliable on-the-ground support throughout your trip.

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Asko Meriläinen

Your travel planner, entrepreneur


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A tour operator you can trust. 5 week tour of New Zealand and Australia, everything went as agreed and as stated in the itinerary. Great job Asko and Project tours. Really professional operation and service

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A very well-organized trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank you!

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The concept worked perfectly for us:Peaceful vacation: We appreciated that it wasn’t a group trip. We were able to explore the destinations at our own pace, but the schedule and advance reservations gave the trip a clear framework.Reservations in order: All hotel and tour reservations worked flawlessly in principle.Safety net: When there were twists and turns along the way – such as flight cancellations – the office handled the situations for us nicely. It was relaxing to know that someone else would take care of the logistics if the original plan changed.

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Great trip and nicely organized according to my wishes

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Great service.😍

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A 2-week tour of Australia tailored for us. Interesting destinations and good hotels. Exceptions to the planned program were handled very well. I highly recommend!

Pipsa 5 7.4.2025
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The trip went well. The destinations were interesting and the transportation was handled as planned. I definitely recommend this trip organizer.

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Asko listened to our wishes and tailored the package to our needs. Highly recommended!

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We had a wonderful 4,5 week tour across Australia and Project Matka made excellent job planning the trip and made all needed reservations including all travel, accommodation and activities. The schedule and all activities were really well planned and we saw a lot of Australia, its nature and animals and the culture during our trip. We absolutely loved our trip!

Matti 6.12.2024
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Big thanks to Asko and Project travel! I was on a 3-week vacation in Australia. All the details were carefully and carefully planned and thought out. The trip went without a hitch. I got to see amazing places and have new experiences. Super thanks. I can warmly recommend Asko and Project travel!

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Many thanks to Asko and Project Matka. A wonderfully planned and executed three-week trip to Australia, during which we got to explore great city destinations and above all, wonderful nature, from rainforests to fabulously beautiful sandy beaches and, as the cherry on the cake, snorkeling on the reef. The arrangements were really well made. With the written and verbal instructions from Asko, it was easy and safe for even the most relaxed traveler to travel. I recommend Project Matka, with their help you can tailor a trip to your own preferences.

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I can really recommend Projekt Matka. They planned a memorable New Zealand and Australia tour for me, everything went smoothly. Asko was always available quickly when I needed advice or directions. A well thought out trip!

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The travel program was as tight as we had hoped, but it ran smoothly and every detail was carefully thought out. The arrangements exceeded our expectations in every way.

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My experience with Project Matka was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, they provided exceptional services that went above and beyond my expectations.First and foremost, the planning process was a breeze, thanks to their invaluable tips and recommendations. Asko, from Project Matka, not only designed our dream holiday but also added incredible value by suggesting fantastic restaurant options and local gems that truly made our trip unforgettable. It's the little details like these that make all the difference.Moreover, the communication with Project Matka was superb. Asko and his team made sure we felt like we were in exceptionally good hands throughout our entire journey. They were responsive, attentive, and always ready to address any questions or concerns we had, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience.Thanks to Project Matka, we had a dream holiday that exceeded our expectations. I can't recommend them enough for their top-notch services, thoughtful planning, and outstanding communication. Asko, you delivered our dream holiday, and we're incredibly grateful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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If you are considering a trip to Australia and/or New Zealand don’t hesitate to use Project Matka. We are experienced travelers and never used an agent prior to this trip. Project Matka not only listened to our wants, preferences, style, likes and dislikes, but provided guidance and suggestions we hadn’t consider. Our final itinerary not only met but exceeded our expectations. The cities, hotels, tours which was a combination of self guided, private and semi-private tours was seamless and absolutely perfect. We spent 30 days between the two countries and it was a trip of a lifetime primarily due to the support we got for Project Matka.

JK 24.4.2023
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Asko Project Matka helped me plan and implement a wonderful holiday in Melbourne. However, in a relatively short time I managed to see a lot. Thanks to the useful tips I received from Asko. His local knowledge of Melbourne is in a class of its own. I can warmly recommend Project Matka if you are looking for a holiday in Australia!

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A thousand thanks to Asko and Project Matka for the absolutely fantastic arrangements for our trip to central Australia. Everything went perfectly, and the experiences were one after the other. We asked for an active itinerary with hiking in stunning landscapes as the main focus, and that's what we definitely got. Other highlights included dinner under the stars, a camel ride at sunrise, and the light art installation Field of Lights. Warm recommendation to Asko and the Project Matka team.


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