I wanted this entire sub-theme so bad when it came out, and of course I got precisely zero of them. For the life of me, I can't figure out what then-me was thinking, as I see nothing in the entire sub-theme that interests me now.

I must not be seeing this correctly because it looks like there are two sets of minifigure hands in the cockpit of the plane (flying box) but there are two minifigures on the ground and only three total in the set. What am I missing?

Just waiting for that parrot to get sucked into the windmill.

This is one of the 2 Outback sets I am missing. I got Amazon Crossing on my fifth birthday, and It is one of my favourite sets ever. My older brother had this one, and it was cool too.

@Schmopiesdad said:
"I must not be seeing this correctly because it looks like there are two sets of minifigure hands in the cockpit of the plane (flying box) but there are two minifigures on the ground and only three total in the set. What am I missing?"

It's a visual distortion in the corner of the windscreen.

Desert holiday jet

I love old planes. The pieces were so versitile. I like the setup in this set, good one.

I'm so confused by this entire Outback theme. Did they move the river for 6490 - Amazon Crossing? And why are there camels in the background on the box art for 6487? It's like the designers had no sense of geography.

I received this and 6553 on my birthday of the release year. This subtheme and Divers made for a pretty awesome year overall. Actually, this may have been bundled with 6553 as a value pack in Canada because I remember receiving both from the same person.

The only subtheme I ever completed as a child.

Finished Spyrius, Aquanauts, and Aquasharks a few years ago, and last year acquired two of the three Timecruisers sets I didn't get back in the 90s. Nostalgia is a helluva drug.

The inclusion of the dark grey propeller fan piece is easily the standout for me about this set. That is quite a rare piece that only appeared in some Freestyle and Belville sets.

Love this set. Lego should make more random sets representing different nations. Bring on the Dutch windmill!

Here it is, the largest set of the Outback subtheme. Five sets, none more than $20, and not a whole lot of unifying features (what does 6553 have in common with any of the others?).

The Amazon Crossing set was a real head-scratcher in this sub-theme. There are tropical rainforests in Australia so I don’t know why they had to specify it was a river on a different continent. This was really the only set that had anything vaguely Australian in it, it would have been cool to have a Flying Doctors set.

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! Always wanted this set. Very Australian and I LOVE the old wireless printed brick

Fabuland windmill fan in old dark grey....ooooh yes.

Was also, like 6487 not available in Germany, if not as very limited release (can't say for sure).
Got both while on holidays in Slovakia and i still cherish them very much!
The Airstrip does all the airport jobs in my LEGO City, so its team is always very, very busy.

I saw the title 'outback airstrip' and thought it was a strange name for a 16x32 tan baseplate...

It's called the Outback because someone has taken out the back of that guy's shack!

@Zordboy said:
"I love this set!

True story. This Outback range of sets was never actually available in Australia. I collected a few of them, and the only way to get them was through overseas sellers on eBay and Bricklink. I get the idea behind limited releases, but it's like, c'mon. Release the Australian sets in Australia!

But no, it's a very Australian set, and I love it. The only thing missing are the kangaroos. "

Streuth

The plane's gonna take out the windmill.

The printed stereo, CB radio and pilot controls are fantastic. The alternative builds on the back of the box and shown at the end of the instructions here
http://lego.brickinstructions.com/en/lego_instructions/set/6444/Outback_Airstrip
were really different, one was a seaplane using the windmill as the propeller and another an air-boat.

I loved these as a kid and as an adult have re collected them. Have most of them still sealed and maybe one day I will build them.

I remember seeing this back in the day and thinking it looked like such a great set compared to some of the Juniorized mess that came shortly after. I wish I’d picked it up then, but I didn’t have much money in college. It’s got such a huge play potential!

An all time great set!

Man this looks great.

Old sets like this one look much more better than nowadays. If feels that one can play with it and be inside of it.
Nowadays sets do not have this spirit.

nice set. my brother had 6490, I still have the box but unfortunately all the pieces have been lost

This set did come to New Zealand. I have about 10 of this set still in sealed bags. I borrowed the base plates for a show layout once.

@Zordboy said:
"I love this set!

True story. This Outback range of sets was never actually available in Australia. I collected a few of them, and the only way to get them was through overseas sellers on eBay and Bricklink. I get the idea behind limited releases, but it's like, c'mon. Release the Australian sets in Australia!

But no, it's a very Australian set, and I love it. The only thing missing are the kangaroos. "

How much longer until there is a LEGO kangaroo, I wonder.

Probably one of the only Lego Sets based in Australia :(

And to think that in the same year Town Junior had started: the epitome and harbringer of juniorization...

I love that Outback, Divers and a few other town sets were still rocking the classic build.
1997 was a weird year for lego.