Australia is a land of contrasts, and nowhere are these more apparent than in the deserts. From the glittering red landscapes of the Simpson Desert to the harsh beauty of the Sturt Stony Desert, the Australian outback is a stunning landscape that can only be explored by road or by air.
Australia and Antarctica are the driest continents in the world. 70% of the Australian mainland receives less than 50cm (19.68 inches) of rain per year.
This low amount of rain classifies our country as arid or semi-arid. In actual fact, 18% of the Australia continent is desert.
| State or Territory | Desert | Size in km2 | State or Territory | Desert | Size in km2 | |
| WA – SA | Great Victoria | 348,750 | WA | Little Sandy | 111,500 | |
| WA | Great Sandy | 267,250 | SA – NSW – QLD | Strzelecki | 80,250 | |
| WA – NT | Tanami | 184,500 | SA – NSW – QLD | Sturt Stony | 29,750 | |
| SA – NT – QLD | Simpson | 176,500 | SA | Tirari | 15,250 | |
| WA | Gibson | 156,000 | SA | Pedirka | 1,250 | |
| Total 1,371,000 |
NSW – New South Wales NT – Northern Territory QLD – Queensland SA – South Australia WA – Western
Australia Note: This information is for entertainment purposes. We assume no liability resulting from any errors or omissions. Translation . we’ve done our best to bring you accurate information. For official facts and figures, please visit any of the many Australian government websites available.
