The Australian Outback: The Dry Heart of the Continent

The vast, arid interior of Australia is called the Outback.

Defining Characteristics

• Climate: Arid to semi-arid; low, erratic rainfall (<250 mm/year in core).
• Landscape: Red sand plains (Simpson, Great Victoria, Gibson Deserts), rocky ranges (MacDonnell, Musgrave), salt lakes (Lake Eyre), spinifex grasslands, mulga scrub.
• Population: Extremely sparse (<0.1 persons/km²); tiny towns (Alice Springs, Coober Pedy, Katherine) separated by hundreds of km.
• Indigenous Heritage: Aboriginal peoples have inhabited the Outback for 50,000+ years; deep spiritual connection to Country (Tjukurpa/Dreaming).
• Economy: Mining (iron ore, gold, uranium), pastoralism (cattle stations the size of countries), tourism (Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kimberley).

"The Bush" refers to less remote rural areas; "The Outback" is the true remote interior.