I have applied some thinking across the years as to the location of the outback. In my home state of South Australia, I am sure that there are some who think the outback starts at the Toll Gate and that a trip to Hahndorf requires that you get your car serviced for such a significant long distance drive. Other more adventurous souls might suggest Clare or Murray Bridge. Until I saw this sign (see photo), I believed I had travelled through parts of the outback such as Flinders Ranges, Uluru, Kennedy Range and Windjana Gorge etc. I acknowledge that those who travel more deeply into Australia’s desert regions would view my travels as Toll Gate trips. All that said, I have now found the outback and it has a specific starting point: 100 kilometres east of Geraldton on the Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road. I am very relieved that I can say with assurance that I have been to the outback and, hopefully, in the future I can report where it finishes. How much nicer to have a neat and specific location rather than a slippery and subjective outback concept that varies depending on who you talk to. A bonus of knowing you are genuinely in the outback is that you can confidently resume the hand gesticulation of choice to acknowledge fellow road travellers as they speed past you in the opposite direction. The ‘outback starts here’ sign imbued me with such confidence that I directed my outback wave to everyone I passed, including trucks. Up to now I had reserved this gesture principally for fellow travellers who were the group most likely to reciprocate. But the truck drivers must have realised they were in the outback too and they raised a finger in response.  The outback wave is a satisfying gesture and, for me, the slow uncurling of the hand from the wheel and the graceful raising of fingers – or finger, depending on the mood and how well the oncoming vehicle is being driven – and eventual return to the wheel are all part of the process. You might think this is all a trifle over-delivered. But, when you only pass one vehicle every 15 kilometres, one should make the most of the occasion, don’t you agree?