Omari Gates
Australia is home to a diverse range of desert landscapes, from semi-desert grassy plains to red sand dunes. These arid regions cover approximately 18% of the Australian mainland, or around 1,371,000 square kilometres. However, a full 35% of the country experiences such low rainfall that it could be considered a desert climate. With its fluctuating climate, from drought to flooding rains, the Australian desert is a land of extremes, attracting adventurous travellers and supporting a variety of wildlife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area covered | 1,371,000 km2 (529,000 sq mi) or 18% of the Australian mainland |
| Percentage of Australian continent receiving little rain | 35% |
| Annual rainfall | 250 mm (10 in) on average |
| Average temperature in summer months | Above 10°C to 35°C |
| Average temperature in winter months | Below 15°C in the south and 25-27°C at the arid zone's northern boundaries |
| Average night-time temperatures in July | 3-6°C |
| Lowest night-time temperature recorded | -7.5°C in Alice Springs |
| Population | The Australian desert has the largest population of feral camels in the world. About 3% of the Australian population live in the dry regions. |
| Land ownership | About a third of Australia's deserts are now Aboriginal lands. |
| Cultural significance | The Australian desert is home to important cultural sites like Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa. It has also produced many notable artists, including Albert Namatjira. |
| Geology | The Australian desert's geology spans a geological time period of over 3.8 billion years, featuring some of the oldest rocks on Earth. |
| Fluctuating climates | The deserts of Australia are known for their constantly fluctuating climates, with periods of drought and flooding rains. |
Explore related products
$15.79 $17.28
![Desert Farms - Real Organic Cooking Camel Hump Fat - Halal, Paleo and Keto Certified - Quickly Melting Use For Fry [High Smoke Point] - 31 Fatty Acids & Gluten-Free - Made In The USA [14 oz]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Nmb2zIfVL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The Australian desert covers 18% of the mainland
The Australian desert covers approximately 1,371,000 square kilometres (529,000 square miles), or 18% of the Australian mainland. This makes up around a fifth of Australia and includes 10 deserts, such as the Great Victoria Desert, the Strzelecki Desert, and the Great Sandy Desert. The Australian desert is not one single desert, but a collection of arid regions, including semi-desert grassy or mountainous landscapes, xeric shrubs, salt pans, stony deserts, red sand dunes, sandstone mesas, rocky plains, open tree savannahs, and bushland. These diverse environments are home to a variety of wildlife, including the largest population of feral camels in the world.
The Australian desert is primarily distributed throughout the Western Plateau and interior lowlands of the country, covering areas from South West Queensland, the Far West region of New South Wales, Sunraysia in Victoria, and Spencer Gulf in South Australia to the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region in Western Australia. The desert regions are found around a certain latitude (roughly 30 degrees north or south of the equator), where weather phenomena create a dry climate. Hot, moist air rises at the equator, cools as it moves north or south, and then falls as abundant rain onto the tropical regions. This dry air then sinks over the subtropical regions, warming and encouraging evaporation, resulting in perfect conditions for desert formation.
The Australian desert experiences fluctuating climates, with significant variations in rainfall. While the desert typically receives an annual rainfall of below 250 mm on average, some areas may technically exceed this average due to uneven rainfall distribution. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology uses three formulas to define deserts, and about 35% of Australia receives so little rainfall that it is practically desert. In addition to rainfall, the desert climate is characterised by temperatures above 10°C, occasionally exceeding 35°C in the summer months. The Pilbara region in Western Australia is particularly hot, with temperatures reaching 48-50°C.
The Australian desert has a rich cultural history, with Aboriginal Australians living in settlements in the desert regions. The Spinifex people and the Pintupi tribe, for example, maintained a traditional lifestyle in the desert until the 1950s and 1984, respectively, when they first encountered white explorers. Today, the desert is becoming a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its unique landscapes and environments.
Retreat Caravans: Australian-Made Adventure
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It receives high rainfall compared to other deserts
The Australian deserts cover about 1,371,000 square kilometres, or 18% of the Australian mainland. Despite this vast expanse, the Australian deserts are not as arid as other famous deserts around the world, such as the Sahara or the Dasht-e Kavir (Great Salt Desert) in Iran.
By international standards, the Great Australian Desert receives relatively high rates of rainfall, with an average of around 250 mm per year. This is in stark contrast to other deserts, where annual rainfall can be well below 100 mm. For example, the Lut desert in Iran holds the record for the world's hottest temperature, reaching 70.7°C in 2005.
The Australian deserts' higher rainfall is due in part to their proximity to the ocean and the influence of cold sea currents, which bring moisture to the region. This is particularly true for the western Australian desert, where the cold sea current of the West Australian Current prevents significant rainfall in the interior of the continent. Additionally, the great ocean circulation in the south of the continent plays a crucial role in the formation of long periods of continental drought by imposing high atmospheric pressures.
While the Australian deserts receive more rainfall than other deserts globally, this rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year. Australia experiences what has been described as a "boom and bust" cycle, with long dry periods followed by pulses of flooding rain. This fluctuating climate has led to the adaptation of unique flora and fauna in the Australian deserts, contributing to their biodiversity.
The Australian deserts are also distinct from other deserts due to their geological history. The area's geology spans a geological time period of over 3.8 billion years, featuring some of the oldest rocks on Earth. The complex history of the Archaean cratons, orogenic belts, and sediment patterns has contributed to the diverse landscapes found within the Australian deserts.
Shipping Australian Products to Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Great Australian Desert is diverse
The Great Australian Desert is a large, dry area that covers a significant portion of western and central Australia. It is the fourth-largest desert in the world, after Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Sahara. The Great Australian Desert is diverse, consisting of various landscapes and ecosystems.
The Great Australian Desert comprises ten primary deserts, each ranging between 0.016% and 4.5% of the continent's surface area. The largest desert within it is the Great Victoria Desert, covering around 422,466 square kilometres. The second-largest is the Great Sandy Desert. The average rainfall in the Great Australian Desert is around 9.84 inches per year, which is relatively high compared to other deserts like the Sahara, which receives only about 3 inches of rainfall annually.
The desert features semi-desert grassy or mountainous landscapes, xeric shrubs, salt pans, gibber (stony) deserts, red sand dunes, sandstone mesas, rocky plains, open tree savannahs, and bushland. It is also home to several rivers and salt lakes, which are mostly seasonally dry and often have no outflow in the east. The Great Australian Desert covers about 1,371,000 square kilometres or 18% of the Australian mainland. However, about 35% of the Australian continent receives so little rain that it is practically desert.
The Great Australian Desert is known for its fluctuating climates, with periods of drought and flooding rains. It is home to the largest population of feral camels in the world and is rich in lizard fauna, with over 210 species of reptiles, including the infamous desert death adder snake. The area's geology is ancient, spanning a geological time period of over 3.8 billion years and featuring some of the oldest rocks on Earth.
The Great Australian Desert holds cultural significance, with large parts of it being part of the Desert Cultural Area. Important cultural sites include Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa. Aboriginal Australians of the desert have produced many renowned artists, such as Albert Namatjira, who was born in the Great Sandy Desert. About a third of Australia's deserts are now Aboriginal lands, with many Aboriginal peoples living in settlements within these areas.
John Lewis Shipping to Australia: All You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Australian desert is the driest inhabited continent
The Australian continent is the driest inhabited continent in the world. The Australian deserts cover about 1,371,000 square kilometres, or 18% of the Australian mainland. However, about 35% of the Australian continent receives so little rainfall that it is practically a desert. The Australian desert is diverse, consisting of semi-desert grassy or mountainous landscapes, xeric shrubs, salt pans, stony deserts, red sand dunes, sandstone mesas, rocky plains, open tree savannahs, and bushland with a few rivers and salt lakes. The desert is among the least modified in the world, with about a third of Australia's deserts now Aboriginal lands.
The Australian desert is characterised by its fluctuating climate, with drought and bushfires sometimes occurring in quick succession with floods and the transformation of the land into a green paradise. The main reason for the formation of the Australian deserts is their location. Like most major deserts, the Australian deserts can be found around a certain latitude (roughly 30 degrees north or south of the equator) where weather phenomena create a dry climate. Hot, moist air rises at the equator and cools as it moves north or south, with the moisture condensing and falling as abundant rain onto the tropical regions. The now-dry air then sinks over the subtropical regions, warming as it sinks, and encouraging evaporation, leading to more evaporation than rain, creating the perfect conditions for desert formation.
The Australian desert has a complex geological history, with a geological time period of over 3.8 billion years, featuring some of the oldest rocks on Earth. There are three main cratonic shields of recognised Archaean age within the Australian landmass: The Yilgarn, the Pilbara, and the Gawler cratons. The Pilbara region in Western Australia is the hottest area of the Australian desert, known to reach temperatures of 48-50 degrees Celsius. However, compared to some other deserts around the world, such as Iran's Lut desert, which recorded the world's hottest temperature of 70.7 degrees Celsius in 2005, Australia's deserts are relatively mild.
The Australian desert is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the largest population of feral camels in the world. The desert also has several important cultural sites, including Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa, and has produced many notable artists, such as Albert Namatjira. The Australian desert has a long history of human habitation, with Aboriginal Australians living in settlements in the deserts for thousands of years. The desert was also home to nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes, such as the Pintupi people, who had their first contact with white people in 1984.
Shipping Jewelry to Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Australian Outback is a popular tourist destination
One of the biggest draws of the Australian Outback is the opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich cultural history of the land's Traditional Owners, the Aboriginal Australians. With access to ancient tales, rock art, and artefacts dating back tens of thousands of years, exploring the Outback is like travelling back in time. The Outback is also home to significant Aboriginal sites such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta, which offer a chance to learn about the spiritual and cultural significance of these places to the local communities.
The fluctuating climate of the Outback is another fascinating aspect, with rare heavy rains transforming the desert landscape into a kaleidoscope of wildflowers and waterbirds. The Outback experiences significant climate variations, from droughts and bushfires to flooding rains, providing a constantly changing environment for visitors to explore.
For those seeking adventure, the Australian Outback delivers with a range of experiences. From road trips and camping under the stars to guided walks and active adventures like kayaking or swimming in unexpected oases, there is something for everyone. The Outback also offers the chance to spot unique wildlife, including the world's largest population of feral camels.
With its combination of natural wonders, cultural significance, and ever-changing landscapes, it's no wonder that the Australian Outback has become a popular destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable and transformative experience.
Australian Desert Scorpions: Their Unique Diet Explored
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Australian deserts cover about 1,371,000 km2 (529,000 sq mi), or about 18% of the Australian mainland. However, a full 35% of Australia receives so little rainfall, it is classified as a desert.
Australia's largest desert is the Great Victoria Desert, covering large portions of Western and South Australia.
Australia has 10 deserts, which make up almost a fifth of the country.
