The Outback

The Outback is a vast, remote and arid area of Australia. Covering most of Australia, the Outback is home to a diverse set of species, such as the Kangaroo, Emu and Dingo.


Location

The Outback of Australia encompasses portions of five out of six territories, excluding the island territory of Tasmania. Defined without official borders, the Outback encompasses the interior of the South-of-the-Equator continent.

The Outback includes the Southern region of the Northern Territory, the Central and Eastern portions of Western Australia, the Northern and Central portions of Southern Australia, the Northwest corner of New South Wales, the Southeastern portion of Queensland and the far Northwestern areas of Victoria.

Rain

Seventy percent of inland Australia maintains an arid climate. The Outback area sees very little rain and can go years without any precipitation. The central region receives the least rainfall of the entire country. The driest location in the Outback is Mulka Station on the Birdsville Track. On average they receive 120mm, or just under 5 inches, of rain per year.

Wind

Seasons dictate wind patterns in Australia. From October through March expect winds to blow from the Southeast. The strongest winds gust from October to December. The Aboriginal people of Australia refer to the last few months of the year as "the windy season." The combination of wind and areas with little vegetation makes dust storms common in the Outback. Winds fade to a gentle breeze during the cooler months of April through September.

Temperature

Since the Outback covers large portions of the continent, maximum temperatures range from 18 to 39 degrees Celsius, or roughly 64 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest month to visit is July, the height of the winter season. Temperatures can drop below freezing. During the summer, the sand hills and rock structures get much warmer than the plains and desert areas. Temperatures can climb to 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Facts

The interior of Australia harbors no major cities due to the climate. The land can't support farming. The sparse vegetation in the region has adapted to receiving very little precipitation, according to the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Eighty percent of Australia receives less than 600mm, or 23.6 inches of rainfall per year.

Peer Reviewed article here
Title: "No Mallee Bull, the Outback is Out There"