The Central Deserts are located right in the middle of Outback Australia. They are barren and lonely with miles and miles of emptiness. This is a vacation spot for those seeking to get away from it all for a time. It is a place to think of nothing but the land and the stillness.

Things to See and Do

Coober Pedy is an underground mining town, advertised as “Opal Capital of the World.” Clearly, visitors can mine for opals or swim in the sparkling waters of the Mataranka Springs. You will want to spend a few days camping and enjoying the location.

The Simpson Desert has beautiful patterned sand dunes which stretch for miles. Visitors will also want to check out the blood-red McDonnell ranges and Tanami Desert.

Traveling the Deserts

When traveling through the Australian Outback you must realize you will be in the middle of nowhere. Campers will need to take plenty of water and extra gas for the vehicles. The terrain is rough on both man and vehicle. Travel is rugged. There are no commercial accommodations, just your tent and sleeping bag.

The Aussie Outback is a great place for hiking and you will want to bring binoculars and a camera. A desert sunset can be magnificent. The usual precautions should be taken for protection against the sun. Long sleeved, airy clothing, sunscreen and a wide brim hat should be worn at all times. Also, if traveling on your own always let someone know where you are headed and when you expect to be back. The Australian Outback is not where you want to be stranded.

Deserts of Australia

There are several desert areas in Australia. The Gibson, Great Sandy and Australian Great Victorian Deserts make up what is known as the Great Western Desert, often just referred to as the Australian Outback. In this area you can see the Uluru, one of the world’s largest monoliths. The Simpson and Sturt Stony Deserts are located in Australia, as well. The Simpson has the characteristically long, flat patterned sand dunes. Sturt Stony is named after a native explorer.