Star gazing in Burke, Queensland, is a breathtakingly magical experience, thanks to the crystal-clear night skies of northern Australia, which are considered among the world's best places to see the stars. Yagurli Tours, an Indigenous-owned business operated by the Gangalidda and Garawa Peoples, offers a unique stargazing experience in Burketown, located on the Albert River in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The stargazing tour includes a chance to observe the vivid crimson shades of an outback sunset as you cruise the calm waters of the Albert River, learning about the stars from a Gangalidda-Garawa perspective, with ancient stories and constellations shared by the local Aboriginal guides, and witnessing the Milky Way and other celestial wonders with the guidance of telescopes and laser pointers provided by the tour.
Burketown is also home to other attractions, such as the artesian bore, which flows from over 700 meters deep at a balmy 68ºC, and the abundance of bush tucker and medicines that grow in the area. Visitors can also try their hand at traditional fishing methods on a Yagurli Tour or explore the Waanyi rock-art sites of Wild Dog Dreaming and Rainbow Dreaming. Burketown's remote location, approximately 2115 kilometers north-west of Brisbane, 900 kilometers east of Cairns, and 30 kilometers inland from the Gulf of Carpentaria, adds to the sense of adventure and isolation, making it an ideal destination for stargazing and connecting with the local Indigenous culture.