Trial in outback murder case set to start

Such angst about the dangers lurking in Australia's sometimes harsh environment has been apparent in the public's fascination with the Falconio saga.

The local Northern Territory government earns more than US$1.4 billion from tourism per year, hosting half a million international visitors, principally from Britain, Ireland, Germany and the US.

While it likes to promote the attractions of one of Australia's last frontier territories, it is not eager to publicize dangers.