Outback

The Outback is a vast, remote, and sparsely populated region of Australia. It is much more isolated than the areas Australians call "the bush." This massive territory stretches across the continent from the northern coastlines to the southern coasts. It is defined by several key factors. These include a very low population density and a largely intact natural environment. Many areas also feature low-intensity land uses, such as pastoralism. Pastoralism is the practice of grazing livestock on natural land. Today, the total population of the Outback is estimated at 607,000 people.

The Outback contains many different climatic zones. The northern regions experience tropical and monsoonal climates. These areas often have heavy seasonal rains. In contrast, the "red centre" consists of arid areas. These are very dry desert regions. The southern parts of the Outback feature semi-arid and temperate climates. This variety creates many unique ecosystems. For example, the Kimberley and Pilbara regions sit in northern Western Australia. The Top End features a sub-tropical savanna landscape. The Channel Country in western Queensland has ephemeral water courses. These are rivers or streams that flow only after rain.

Because there is little industrial land use, the Outback is globally significant. It is one of the largest remaining intact natural areas on Earth. The savanna regions in northern Australia are the largest intact savannas in the world. In the south, the Great Western Woodlands are very important. These woods occupy an area larger than all of England and Wales combined. They are the largest remaining temperate woodlands on Earth.

The region also contains diverse geological features. These include the MacDonnell Ranges and the flat Nullarbor Plain. You can even find meteor impact craters, such as Gosses Bluff.

Aboriginal peoples have inhabited the Outback for at least 50,000 years. They occupied all regions, including the driest deserts, long before Europeans arrived in the 1800s. Many Aboriginal Australians remain the Traditional Owners of large parts of the Outback. This status is legally recognised under Commonwealth Native Title legislation. Early European exploration was often sporadic and focused on coastal areas. In 1813, Gregory Blaxland led the first party to cross the Blue Mountains. Later, explorers like John Oxley and Charles Sturt tried to find an "inland sea." They followed westward-flowing rivers, but found they all flowed south into the Murray and Darling rivers.

Transport and infrastructure changed as exploration continued. From 1858, "Afghan" cameleers used camels to help open the region. Between 1858 and 1861, John McDouall Stuart led six expeditions from Adelaide. He successfully reached the north coast and returned safely. This was a different result than the Burke and Wills expedition of 1860–61. That expedition was better funded but resulted in three deaths. In the 1870s, the Overland Telegraph line was built along Stuart's route. In the 1950s, Len Beadell surveyed and built roads for nuclear and rocket testing. These activities took place at sites like Emu Field and the Woomera Prohibited Area.

Industry plays a major role in the Outback economy. Pastoralism is the largest industry by land area. Cattle, sheep, and goats graze on natural ecosystems. Many properties use bore water from underground aquifers like the Great Artesian Basin. Because they do not use many chemicals, many properties are certified organic. In 2014, much of this area was certified organic, making Australia the largest certified organic production area in the world. Mining is another massive industry. The land is rich in minerals like iron, aluminium, and manganese. It also contains gold, nickel, copper, and uranium. The Pilbara region is a major hub for iron ore and petroleum.

Living in the Outback requires special services due to the vast distances. The Royal Flying Doctor Service began helping people in 1928. It provides medical care to remote communities via aircraft. Education also requires unique methods. Some children use the School of the Air. Originally, teachers used radios, but they now use telephones and the internet. Tourism is also a major economic driver. Many people visit to see sites like Uluru, Kakadu National Park, and the MacDonnell Ranges. In the 2015–2016 period, the Northern Territory alone saw 815,000 visitors spend $988 million.