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Australia is home to a diverse range of desert landscapes, collectively known as the Great Australian Desert. Covering approximately 18% of the Australian mainland, these arid regions are characterised by their unique natural features, ancient geology, and cultural significance to Indigenous Australians. From red sand dunes and gibber deserts to the vast outback with its dry savannahs and short tree forests, the Australian desert defies the stereotypical image of a lifeless wasteland. While rainfall is scarce, with annual averages ranging from 81 to 250 mm, the Australian desert is far from barren, supporting a variety of flora and fauna, as well as small Indigenous communities that have thrived in these remote areas for tens of thousands of years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area covered | 1,371,000 km2 (529,000 sq mi) or 18% of the Australian mainland |
| Annual rainfall | 81 to 250 mm (3.2 to 10 in) on average |
| Temperature | Summer: 32 to 50 °C (90 to 122 °F); Winter: 18 to 23 °C (64 to 73 °F) |
| Number of deserts | 10 |
| Landscape | Semi-desert grassy or mountainous, xeric shrubs, salt pans, stony deserts, red sand dunes, sandstone mesas, rocky plains, open tree savannahs, bushland, small stones |
| Population | Less than 3% of the total population of Australia |
| Indigenous population | Aboriginal Australians have lived in the desert for at least 50,000 years |
| Wildlife | Feral camels |
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What You'll Learn
Climate and weather
The climate and weather of the Australian desert vary depending on the region. Deserts cover about 1,371,000 km2 (529,000 sq mi), or 18%, of the Australian mainland, but about 35% of the Australian continent receives so little rain that it is practically a desert. The Great Australian Desert, which includes various smaller deserts, experiences a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall ranging from 81 to 250 mm (3.2 to 10 in). However, a high evaporation rate, caused by the high evapotranspiration, compensates for the higher-than-average desert rainfall. Central Australia is arid, with the driest areas receiving an average of 150 mm (5.91 in) of rainfall annually.
The Australian desert experiences hot summers and relatively cool winters. Summer daytime temperatures range from 32 to 50 °C (90 to 122 °F), occasionally climbing into the low 50s (°C) (120s (°F). The average summer temperature is often above 35 °C (95 °F). Winters have a maximum average temperature between 18 and 23 °C (64 and 73 °F), although it is warmer in the north. Night-time temperatures in winter rarely drop below 2-3 °C (28-26 °F), and nights in the desert can be very cold. The northwestern region of the desert gives rise to the heat lows, which contribute to the NW monsoon. This region's rainfall primarily comes from monsoon thunderstorms or occasional tropical cyclone rain depressions.
The Australian desert experiences sporadic rainfall, with droughts being a common occurrence. The interior and south of the desert lack any significant summer rains. The western desert's aridity is influenced by the cold sea current of the West Australian Current, which prevents significant rainfall in the continent's interior. The Great Dividing Range in the east acts as a barrier, causing moist air from the Pacific Ocean to cool and release its moisture before reaching inland areas. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation also contributes to drier and hotter conditions, exacerbating droughts.
The Kimberley region in Western Australia has an extremely hot monsoonal climate with a long dry season lasting from April to November. The Mallee and upper Wimmera regions in Victoria are also known for their hot weather, with average summer temperatures above 32 °C (90 °F). The Victorian Alps, in contrast, have the coldest climate in the state, with average maximum winter temperatures below 9 °C (48 °F) and minimum temperatures reaching -11.7 °C (10.9 °F).
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Indigenous communities
Indigenous Australians have lived in the desert regions of Australia for at least 50,000 years, with strong physical and cultural connections to their land. They have occupied all Outback regions, including the driest deserts, with many retaining these links to the present day. The Martu people, for example, have combined modern science with Indigenous ecological knowledge to protect their land through the Martu Living Deserts Project.
Indigenous Australians are legally recognised as the traditional owners of large parts of the Outback under Commonwealth Native Title legislation. The Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in the Western Desert is an example of a vast cultural and natural desert estate managed by Traditional Owners and younger Indigenous rangers. The Pintupi community also signed an agreement to turn 4.2 million hectares of their traditional land into an IPA, now part of the largest protected zone of arid land globally.
Indigenous-led tourism is also a significant aspect of the Australian desert experience. Tourism Australia markets nature-based and Indigenous-led experiences, and visitors can camp at Katjarra in the Western Desert and explore part of the range with Indigenous rangers. The Birriliburu IPA offers guided tours with traditional custodians, providing sustainable tourism opportunities while protecting heritage places and visitors.
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Wildlife
Despite the harsh conditions, the Australian desert is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, many of which have adapted to the arid environment.
One of the most iconic Australian desert animals is the bilby, a nocturnal marsupial that spends its days in underground burrows to escape the heat. Other mammals include the kultarr, a mouse-sized marsupial with long hind limbs, the spinifex hopping mouse, which is found in the arid zones of Central and Western Australia, and the dusky hopping mouse, a vulnerable species found in South Australia. Larger mammals, such as kangaroos and emus, have also adapted to the extreme temperatures. Kangaroos, for example, use their long limbs and large ears to dissipate heat, and lick their forearms to cool down.
The bird life in the Australian desert is equally fascinating. The pink cockatoo, also known as Major Mitchell's cockatoo, is a spectacular species with pink and white plumage and a vibrant crown. Other birds include the wedge-tailed eagle, Australia's largest, the zebra finch, and the pardalote, honeyeater, and black cockatoo, which add colour to the pale landscape.
Reptiles are also well-adapted to the desert conditions. The bearded dragon, for instance, can be found lounging on the ground or perched on fences and tree branches. The thorny devil, with its intimidating spikes and false head, is another remarkable desert reptile.
Indigenous Australians have lived in harmony with the desert's wildlife for thousands of years, relying on local flora and fauna for sustenance and maintaining access to drinking water. Unfortunately, introduced species, such as cats and foxes, pose a significant threat to native wildlife, contributing to the extinction of many mammal species. Conservation efforts, such as the Martu Living Deserts Project, are working to address these threats and protect the unique biodiversity of the Australian desert.
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Geology
The Australian desert covers about 1,371,000 km2, or 18% of the Australian mainland. The area's geology spans a geological time period of over 3.8 billion years, featuring some of the oldest rocks on Earth. The Western Plateau, on which the Great Sandy, Gibson, Great Victoria, Tanami, Wiso, Barkly, and Eyre deserts are developed, has a more variable surface geology and topography than the Interior Lowlands, which house the eastern Simpson, Strzelecki, and Mallee deserts.
The Pilbara, Yilgarn, Central Australian ranges, and the Flinders Ranges comprise the largest rocky uplands within the modern arid zone. These uplands likely maintained less xeric and more heterogeneous conditions during arid periods. The Gawler, Yilgarn, and Pilbara cratons are three major cratonic shields of Archaean age within the Australian landmass. Several other Archaean-Proterozoic orogenic belts exist, usually sandwiched around the edges of these major cratonic shields.
The Great Artesian Basin lies beneath the desert, bringing with it natural springs like Dalhousie Springs in Witjira National Park, South Australia. The Gibson Desert, nestled between the Great Sandy, Little Sandy, and Great Victoria Deserts, features red sand plains and dunes, saltwater lakes, low rock-covered ridges, and lateritic 'buckshot' plains. The Great Sandy Desert also features large ergs, or quintessential desert landscapes of large, wind-swept sand areas with little to no vegetation, with longitudinal dunes and 'fairy circles,' or barren circular patches.
The Simpson Desert, one of Australia's largest deserts, experiences heavy rain, which carries nutrients and soils and creates moisture stores. The Sturt Stony Desert in South Australia features sand dunes, and the Little Sandy Desert, connecting to the Great Sandy Desert, has a similar landscape and vegetation.
The Australian desert is the driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. It consists of 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 with a few seasonally dry rivers and salt lakes.
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Landscape
The Australian desert is a diverse landscape, covering around 18% of the Australian mainland or about 1,371,000 square kilometres. The deserts are distributed across the Western Plateau and interior lowlands, including areas such as South West Queensland, the Far West region of New South Wales, and the Kimberley region in Western Australia.
The terrain varies from semi-arid grassy expanses to mountainous regions, with red sand dunes, stony deserts, salt pans, sandstone mesas, and rocky plains. About 40% of Australia's landmass is covered by dunes, and the country is known for its distinct orange soil. The desert regions also encompass open tree savannahs and bushland, with some rivers and salt lakes that are often seasonally dry.
The Australian desert is characterised by a semi-arid to arid climate, with an average annual rainfall ranging from 81 to 250 mm. However, the high evaporation rate and infrequent rainfall distribution contribute to the arid conditions. Summer temperatures can reach 32°C to 50°C, while winters are milder, with maximum temperatures averaging 18°C to 23°C.
The landscape also includes unique features such as the Wolfe Creek crater in the Great Sandy Desert, formed by a meteorite impact, and the Gibson Desert, named after Alfred Gibson, with its red sand plains, saltwater lakes, and rock-covered ridges.
Indigenous Australians have a long history in the Australian desert, with a presence dating back at least 50,000 years. Communities such as the Spinifex People of the Great Victorian Desert and the Martu people of the Pilbara deserts continue to inhabit these regions, maintaining strong cultural connections to their traditional lands.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian desert is not a lifeless wasteland. While it does consist of sand and rocks, it also has very orange soil, grass, bushes, and some short trees that are sometimes dense. About 40% of Australia is covered by dunes, and the country is home to the world's largest feral camel population.
The Australian desert has a semi-arid climate. While the average annual rainfall ranges from 81 to 250 mm, high evaporation rates make the region arid. Summer daytime temperatures range from 32 to 50 °C, and winter maximum temperatures average between 18 and 23 °C.
Yes, Indigenous Australians have lived in the desert for at least 50,000 years. Small Indigenous communities and towns still exist in these remote arid regions today, with around 3% of the Australian population living in Australia's arid zone.
