Outback Australia

The vast wilderness that is the Outback of Australia

  • The Outback encompasses most of the country
  • Most of the population lives on the coasts which leaves 10% of the population living in the Outback
  • The climate varies throughout the region with hot days and cold nights

We hear about the Outback all the time when Australia is the topic of discussion. It encompasses 6.5 million kilometres of the country. It is populated by less than 60,000 people and is incredibly remote. Many of Australia’s population resides on the coast which leaves less people out in the Outback. Despite its vast size, people still know very little about it.

The Outback has several different climates with 70% of it being dry with two arid zones. One arid zone has cold winters in the centre while the other has mild winters in the north. August and July tend to be the coldest months with nightly freezes. Days tend to be very hot throughout the country with milder days in the southern regions. Most of the Outback is in Northern Australia and has two seasons, dry and wet. Dry months for the Outback are September, October, May and April with the rest of the year being very wet and humid.

Outback animals and people

  • There are a variety of animals that inhabit the Outback
  • Dingoes are the oldest living animals in the Outback
  • The Outback is home to Australia’s aboriginal peoples
  • The people of the Outback live in small villages that are connected by highways and dirt roads

The Outback is home to vast variety of animals. The oldest of animals living in the Outback is the dingo. Introduced over 3500 years ago, dingoes have become a vital part of the Outback’s ecosystem. Birds are plentiful throughout the Outback and include budgerigars, cockatoos and cockatiels. Other animals include wild horses, spiny devils, and many more. The animals of the Outback are vital to sustaining its thriving ecosystem.

Only 10% of the country’s population inhabits the Outback with the northern part of south Australia being home to Australia’s aboriginal population. They live mostly in small villages that are separated by vast desert areas. These villages are connected by highways and dirt roads. Many of the people that live in the Outback work on farms that raise cattle and sheep. Aside for cattle and sheep farming, the people of the Outback are a part of its biggest industry, mining.

The dangers and the fun

  • The Outback can be a very dangerous place
  • Varying temperature extremes and animals are the main hazards
  • Despite the remoteness and temperatures, there are many fun things to do in the Outback
  • Hiking and wildlife watching are just a few things you can do in the Outback

The Outback is considered very dangerous because of how large and remote it is. A person can get lost easily in the Outback. With the variation in temperatures a person could succumb to dehydration and heat stroke or freeze. It is important to have a very knowledgeable guide when travelling to and in the Outback. Not only are the temperatures what make the Outback dangerous, the animals can be dangerous as well. So, when exploring the Outback, it is pertinent to being aware of the surroundings to stay safe.

Aside from the dangers, extreme temperatures, and vast remoteness the Outback is a beautiful and wondrous place to visit. Take caution when visiting, but also enjoy the many different things you can experience while there. Learn about the aboriginal people of south Australia and the many cattle and sheep farms. Enjoy the wildlife, hiking, biking, and various other activities that the Outback offers.